$21.5 Million Ticket Sold at Holmdel 7-Eleven

They are serving real excitement with coffee and papers at the Holmdel 7-Eleven today.

Around 9:30 a.m. this morning, an official stopped in to announce that Monday's multi-million dollar Pick-6 New Jersey Lottery winning ticket was sold on the premises.

"I got very excited," said store owner Jay Patel, who learned of the news by telephone from his home in Monroe Township. "I ran over there to make sure it was my store."

Patel had reason to feel extra incredulous. This is the second time within a week he's learned a store he owns has sold a winning ticket. On June 21, a customer at his 7-Eleven on Leonardville Road in Belford purchased a winning Jersey Cash 5 ticket in a $1,081,540 drawing. There were five winning tickets sold throughout the state, so his customer won $216,308.

"I think it's an energy thing," said Gail Smith of Toms River, as she picked up a lottery ticket in the Holmdel store Tuesday. "Good things happen in threes."

The single winner of the $21.5 million Pick 6 jackpot, who has not yet named by lottery officials, chose the cash option, lottery officials said. The winning lottery ticket numbers were 12, 24, 34, 41, 46 and 47.

Five out of six paid $4,302 to 14 winners; four out of six paid $74 to 894 winners; three out of six paid $3 to 17,359 winners.

For selling that $21.5 million ticket, Patel will split a $10,000 prize with 7-Eleven. His share will be applied to a Disney cruise to the Bahamas with his wife and kids, he said.

On Tuesday, the store was buzzing with news that such luck could be had right here in Holmdel. The Mega Millions jackpot is up to $65 million, and tickets are selling quickly today, said Chaudhari. "People are so excited," she said. "I'm excited!"