Winner Claims $1.22 Billion Mega Millions Jackpot in California

A lucky individual in California has turned their dream of ending the year as a millionaire into reality by securing the winning ticket for the Mega Millions lottery on December 27. This colossal jackpot, valued at $1.22 billion, was claimed by a single ticket holder, marking it as the fifth-largest prize in the game's history and the seventh to surpass the billion-dollar mark.

The victorious numbers were 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, with the gold Mega Ball being 6. The ticket was purchased from Sunshine Food and Gas, a modest establishment in Cottonwood, a small community with a population of around 6,000 located south of Redding in Northern California. This massive prize emerged after 30 consecutive draws without a major winner, allowing the jackpot to swell to a record-breaking amount.

The last time anyone matched all six numbers was on September 10, when a ticket sold in Texas scooped up $810 million. The recent California winner faces two choices to claim their fortune: a lump sum payment of approximately $571.9 million, subject to federal and state taxes, or 30 annual installments with a 5% increase each year to safeguard purchasing power against inflation. Notably, if the winner resides in California, they could potentially receive the entire sum, as California is one of the eight states that do not tax lottery winnings.

Historic Mega Millions Prizes

Mega Millions has a track record of awarding some of the largest lottery prizes in United States history:

• $2.004 billion (Powerball): Won in November 2022 by a ticket also sold in California.
• $1.128 billion: Recently claimed in New Jersey following the March 26, 2023, drawing.
• $810 million: Awarded in Texas on September 10, 2023.

The Mega Millions lottery is available in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Participants must choose five numbers from 1 to 70 (white balls) and an additional number from 1 to 25 (gold Mega Ball). The odds of hitting the jackpot stand at 1 in 302,575,350. However, there are other prize categories ranging from $2 to $1 million, based on the numbers matched.

Beyond changing the lives of its winners, the lottery generates substantial revenue for state programs and charitable causes. According to Joshua Johnston, director of the Mega Millions Consortium, "This prize is an incredible gift for the winner and for all the organizations that benefit from lottery ticket sales nationwide."

Mega Millions drawings occur twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Each ticket costs $2. The inaugural Mega Millions game was played on September 6, 1996, when it was still known as "The Big Game."