$1.22 billion lottery jackpot sold in California, says Mega Millions

This victory represents the fourth Mega Millions jackpot won in 2024 that the jackpot has surpassed $1 billion

California has a new billionaire after a lucky individual purchased a winning Mega Millions ticket worth an estimated $1.22 billion. The ticket, sold in Northern California, matched all six winning numbers: 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, and Mega Ball 6. This jackpot is believed to be the fifth-largest prize in the history of the game.

The prize, which amounts to $549.7 million in cash, surged since its last drawing on Christmas Eve when no winner claimed the estimated $1 billion jackpot. The winning ticket was sold at Sunshine Food & Gas in Cottonwood, Shasta County, according to the California State Lottery.

This win marks only the fourth Mega Millions jackpot won in 2024 and the seventh time in the game's history that the jackpot has exceeded $1 billion. Other record-breaking jackpots were awarded in South Carolina in 2018, Michigan in 2021, Illinois in 2022, Maine and Florida in 2023, and New Jersey in March. The Florida prize remains the game's record jackpot at $1.602 billion.

In addition to the jackpot winner, five other tickets sold in Arizona, California, Texas, and Missouri won $1 million each by matching the first five numbers. Joshua Johnston, lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium, congratulated the California winner in a news release, calling it an amazing holiday present.

With only one drawing left this year, it is likely that 2024 will end with the fewest jackpots won in any single year since the game began in 2002.