A lucky Mega Millions player in California has claimed a massive $1.22 billion jackpot, ending a three-month dry spell with no grand prize winners.
The winning numbers for Friday night’s drawing were 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, and the gold Mega Ball 6. The odds-defying ticket was sold at a Sunshine Food and Gas station in Cottonwood, a small town 146 miles north of Sacramento.
A Holiday Gift to Remember
The new billionaire can choose between annual payments totaling the estimated $1.22 billion or a lump sum cash payout of approximately $549.7 million. “What an amazing present this holiday season!” said Joshua Johnston, lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium. “This is a special moment for our winner and for the many causes that benefit from lottery ticket sales nationwide.”
California’s Mega Millions Legacy
This marks the 37th time a Mega Millions jackpot has been won in California, second only to New York’s 44 wins. It’s also the fifth-largest jackpot in the game’s history, surpassing the $1.12 billion jackpot won in New Jersey earlier this year.
Five additional players matched all five white balls to win $1 million each, with winners hailing from Arizona, Missouri, Texas, and two additional players from California.
Mega Millions History and Future Changes
Friday’s drawing was the fourth Mega Millions jackpot claimed in 2024. The last jackpot won in California occurred on December 8, 2023, when two tickets split a $394 million prize.
This jackpot may be one of the last major wins before Mega Millions undergoes a significant change next spring. Starting in April, ticket prices will rise from $2 to $5, promising higher payouts for future winners.
As the Mega Millions resets to a $20 million jackpot for its December 31 drawing, it’s worth noting that no jackpot has ever been won on New Year’s Eve. Will this year break the streak? Players will soon find out!
