News writer, Interviewer
A Cartersville lottery player just made history with Georgia's largest-ever Fantasy 5 win. The lucky ticket matched all five numbers drawn on May 11, securing a massive $2.49 million jackpot.
This record-breaking win came after 13 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner, allowing the prize to grow to unprecedented heights. The jackpot had been building since late April, capturing the attention of lottery enthusiasts across the state.
The winning ticket
The winning Fantasy 5 ticket was purchased at Food City on Joe Frank Harris Parkway in Cartersville. The ticket matched all five numbers in Friday's drawing: 6-12-22-26-27.
Have you checked your tickets yet? Double-check any Fantasy 5 tickets you purchased in Cartersville before the May 11 drawing—you might be sitting on a fortune.
What happens next for the winner
The lucky ticket holder now faces important decisions. Winners of large jackpots in Georgia have several options. They can claim their prize at any Georgia Lottery District Office for amounts up to $25,000, but for this record-breaking $2.49 million jackpot, they'll need to visit the Georgia Lottery Headquarters in Atlanta.
The winner has choices regarding payment as well. For prizes of this magnitude, winners can often select between a lump sum cash option or annuity payments spread over time. Each option comes with different tax implications and financial planning considerations.
Breaking the previous record
This jackpot surpasses the previous Georgia Fantasy 5 record set nearly five years ago. On September 17, 2020, a ticket sold in Claxton won $2,394,862 - a record that stood until now. That win made headlines across the state and changed one lucky player's life forever.
The Georgia Lottery has not announced whether the winner has come forward to claim their prize. Fantasy 5 winners have 180 days from the draw date to claim their winnings. That gives this lucky ticket holder until early November to step forward and claim their millions.
Experts recommend lottery winners take several steps before claiming large prizes: signing the back of the ticket immediately, consulting with financial and legal advisors, and making a plan for the windfall before going public with their win.
Other notable Fantasy 5 jackpots
Georgia isn't the only state with significant Fantasy 5 winners. Michigan saw its record Fantasy 5 jackpot won in 2023 when a player from New Baltimore matched all five numbers (04-05-08-22-38) to win $963,040. The winning ticket was purchased at Smoker's Express on D W Seaton Drive.
Before that, Michigan's previous record stood at $924,880, which was won in January 2020 by a player who purchased their ticket online through their website. The convenience of online ticket purchases has made playing the lottery more accessible than ever in states where this option is available.
Florida has also seen substantial Fantasy 5 winners, with jackpots regularly climbing into the hundreds of thousands. California's Fantasy 5 game, while structured slightly differently, has created numerous winners throughout the state.
Impact on the community
When jackpot wins occur, the retailers who sold the winning tickets often receive attention and increased business. Food City in Cartersville may see an uptick in lottery ticket sales as players hope some of that luck might rub off on them.
The Georgia Lottery contributes significantly to education in the state. Since its inception in 1993, the lottery has raised more than $25 billion for education programs, including the HOPE Scholarship and Georgia's Pre-K Program. This record-breaking jackpot will add to those contributions.
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