PA lottery player wins $770K at Giant Eagle, and here’s what the Mega Millions jackpot could hit today

A Pennsylvania lottery player just won big in the latest PA lottery Cash 5 drawing, claiming a massive $770,000 jackpot at a Giant Eagle supermarket. Meanwhile, the Mega Millions jackpot continues to climb toward $100 million for today’s drawing, offering game enthusiasts another shot at life-changing winnings.

Allegheny County Player Strikes $770,000 PA Lottery Gold

Someone in Allegheny County purchased a winning PA lottery ticket worth $770,000 at the Giant Eagle supermarket on Butler Plank Road in Shaler Township. The Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket matched all five winning numbers drawn on Sunday, December 21: 11, 20, 31, 36, and 38.

This represents a substantial win for the lucky ticket holder. The Giant Eagle retailer earns a $5,000 bonus for selling the jackpot-winning ticket. According to the Pennsylvania Lottery, nearly 13,000 other Cash 5 tickets won smaller prizes in the same drawing.

How Cash 5 Works and Your Odds of Winning

The PA lottery’s Cash 5 game requires players to select five numbers from 1 to 43. Matching all five numbers wins the jackpot prize, which becomes available annually. The Pennsylvania Lottery states that jackpot-winning Cash 5 tickets must be claimed within one year of the drawing date.

Beyond the main jackpot, players can match 4 of 5 numbers to win $200, with odds of 1 in 5,066.3. The overall odds of winning any prize in Cash 5 are 1 in 10.51. The game also includes Quick Cash, an instant-win component that offers $2 to $6 per ticket, with overall winning odds of 1 in 4.71.

PA Lottery Cash 5 Prize Level	Prize Amount	Odds
Match 5 (Jackpot)	$770,000	1 in 962,598
Match 4	$200	1 in 5,066.3
Match 3	$10	1 in 217.4
Quick Cash Instant Win	$2 to $6	1 in 4.71

Mega Millions Climbs to $100 Million Today

While the PA lottery Cash 5 winner celebrates their fortune, another major opportunity emerges today. The Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to an estimated $100 million for today’s drawing on Tuesday, December 23. The cash option value stands at $45.5 million for those preferring an immediate lump sum payout.

Mega Millions drawings occur twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Players select five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball from 1 to 25. The jackpot rolls over each drawing when no one matches all six numbers. This latest climb represents significant interest in the game across multiple states.

PA Lottery Winners Can Remain Anonymous After Claiming

Pennsylvania residents who win lottery prizes of $100,000 or more can maintain their privacy. The state’s lottery winner anonymity law allows winners to keep their personal information confidential if they choose. Winners must claim cash game prizes within one year of the drawing date or one year from the purchase date for Quick Cash instant wins.

“The Pennsylvania Lottery is reminding players to check every ticket, every time.”

— Pennsylvania Lottery, Official Statement

What Should You Do If You Hold a Winning Pa Lottery Ticket?

If you believe you hold a PA lottery winning ticket worth the jackpot, contact the nearest Pennsylvania Lottery office immediately. Winners cannot be identified until prizes are claimed and tickets are validated by lottery officials. Jackpot-winning Cash 5 tickets must be claimed within one year of the drawing date, or the prize money is forfeited.

Recent PA lottery success stories show a pattern of big wins across Allegheny County. In November 2025, a Cash 5 ticket sold at a Uni-Mart in Moon Township won $870,000. Days earlier, a Match 6 Lotto ticket purchased at Shop ‘N Go Deli in West Elizabeth claimed $760,000. These consecutive wins demonstrate that PA lottery fortune favors persistent players throughout the region.

Sources

• CBS Pittsburgh – Coverage of $770K PA lottery Cash 5 winner at Giant Eagle
• Pennsylvania Lottery – Official Cash 5 game rules, odds, and claiming procedures
• Mega Millions Official – Jackpot estimates and drawing schedule information