
A Life-Changing Win in California
A lucky Mega Millions player from California has clinched the staggering $1.22 billion jackpot in Friday night’s draw, ending a three-month streak without a grand prize winner. The winning ticket was purchased at Sunshine Food and Gas in Cottonwood, a small town 146 miles north of Sacramento.
The winning numbers for the draw were:
3, 7, 37, 49, 55
Gold Mega Ball: 6
The odds of matching all six numbers and winning the grand prize were a daunting 1 in 302,575,350, making this victory even more remarkable.
Claiming the Jackpot
The new billionaire now faces a significant decision:
Annual Payouts: Opt for the estimated $1.22 billion distributed over several years.
Cash Option: Choose a one-time lump sum payment of approximately $549.7 million.
“What an amazing present this holiday season! At an incredibly special time of year, this is both an incredibly special moment for our winner and for all the great organizations and causes that benefit from lottery ticket sales across the country,” said Joshua Johnston, lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium.
California’s Winning Streak
This marks the 37th Mega Millions jackpot win in California, second only to New York’s 44 wins. Friday’s victory is the fourth jackpot claimed in 2024 and the fifth-largest prize in Mega Millions history. It narrowly surpassed the $1.12 billion jackpot drawn on March 26, 2024, in Neptune, New Jersey.
Additional Winners Nationwide
Aside from the grand prize winner, five other tickets matched the five white balls to claim $1 million each. These winners hail from:
Arizona
Missouri
Texas
California (two winners)
Historical Highlights
The last Mega Millions jackpot won in California was on December 8, 2023, with two tickets splitting a $394 million prize. However, controversy surrounded this win. One ticket holder, Faramarz Lahijani, stepped forward months later, claiming ownership of a second ticket that went unclaimed. He filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit just hours before the claim’s expiration date, seeking his share of the remaining $197.5 million.
What’s Next for Mega Millions?
The next draw, set for December 31, 2024, reverts to the default jackpot of $20 million. Interestingly, no Mega Millions jackpot has ever been won on New Year’s Eve, adding to the anticipation.
In April 2025, Mega Millions will undergo significant changes. The price of a ticket will rise from $2 to $5, with promises of higher cash prizes to entice players further.
A Transformative Moment
For the lucky California winner, this victory is a life-altering event, and for the nation, it’s a reminder of the excitement and hope that lotteries bring. With the upcoming changes to Mega Millions, players can expect even more thrilling opportunities to chase their dreams.
Sources:
Mega Millions official website
Local news reports from Cottonwood, California
Statements from the Mega Millions Consortium
Historical Mega Millions jackpot records