Mega Millions jackpot of $1.22 billion won in California

A lucky lottery player in Northern California has won the estimated $1.22 billion Mega Millions jackpot, according to Mega Millions website.

Only one ticket in Friday’s drawing matched all six numbers to win the fifth-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever. The winner can also choose the cash option estimated at $549.7 million.

The winning ticket was sold at Sunshine Food and Gas on Rhonda Road in Cottonwood, California. The state has won the second most Mega Millions jackpots, second only to New York.

It was the fifth largest Mega Millions ever and ninth largest US jackpot in lottery history (see charts below).

The jackpot was last won on September 10, when a lottery player in Texas won $810 million.

The Mega Millions jackpot has now been won four times this year. A massive Mega Mollions jackpot was won in New Jersey in March for $1.128 billion.

The Mega Millions jackpot will now reset to $20 million for Tuesday night’s drawing.

Five tickets win million dollar prizes

Five tickets in Friday’s draw will win the five white balls prizes.

Tickets sold in Arizona, Missouri and Texas won $1 million each, while two tickets sold in California won $787,543 each because the state bases non-jackpot prizes on tickets sold in its jurisdiction.

Mega Millions winning numbers for 12/27/24

Here are the Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, December 27, 2024: 3 – 7 – 37 – 49 – 55 and Megaball 6. Megaplier was 3x

When is the next Mega Millions drawn?

Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 23.00

What are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots?

Here are the top 10 Mega Millions jackpots of all time:

  1. $1.602 billion, August 8, 2023: Won in Florida
  2. $1.537 billion, October 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
  3. $1.348 billion, January 13, 2023: Won in Maine
  4. $1.337 billion, July 29, 2022: Won in Illinois
  5. $1.22 billion, December 27: Won in California
  6. $1.128 billion, March 26, 2024: Won in New Jersey
  7. $1.05 billion, January 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
  8. $810 million, September 10, 2024: Won in Texas
  9. $656 million, March 30, 2012: Three winners in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
  10. $648 million, December 17, 2013: Two winners in California, Georgia

What was the biggest US lottery jackpot ever?

Here’s a look at the top jackpots won in the US, between the Powerball and Mega Millions lotteries:

  1. $2.04 billion Powerball, November 7, 2022: Won in California
  2. $1.765 billion, Powerball, October 11, 2023: Won in California
  3. $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, August 8, 2023: Won in Florida
  4. $1.586 billion Powerball January 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee
  5. $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, October 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
  6. $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, January 13, 2022: Won in Maine
  7. $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: Won in Illinois
  8. $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 6, 2024: Won in Oregon
  9. $1.22 billion, Mega Millions, December 27: Won in California
  10. $1.128 Billion Mega Millions March 26, 2024: Won in New Jersey
  11. $1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023: Won in California
  12. $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, January 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
  13. $842.4 million, Powerball, January 1, 2024: Won in Michigan
  14. $810 million, Mega Millions, September 10, 2024: Won in Texas
  15. $768.4 million, Powerball, March 27, 2019: Won in Wisconsin
  16. $758.7 million, Powerball, August 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts
  17. $754.6 million, Powerball: February 6, 2023: Won in Washington
  18. $731.1 million,, Powerball, January 20, 2021: Won in Maryland
  19. $699.8 million, Powerball, October 4, 2021: Won in California
  20. $687.8 million Powerball, October 27, 2018: Two winners in Iowa, New York

How do I play Mega Millions?

The price is $2 per ticket, but you can add the Megaplier for $1, which will increase the amount of your potential prize up to five times the original prize (excluding the jackpot).

Each player chooses five numbers from 1 to 70 for the white balls and a number from 1 to 25 for the Mega Ball. However, you can also have the lottery machine generate a random Quick Pick for you. You do not need to be a US citizen or resident of a particular state where you purchase your ticket.

How many balls do I need to get a Mega Millions prize?

You can win $2 for the matching only one – Mega Ball. In addition to the jackpot, you can win up to $1 million for matching all five white balls (except in California). You can check out all the prize payouts on the Mega Millions site here.

Where are Mega Millions available?

You can play the game in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands. The states that do not offer Mega Millions are: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.

Where can I buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and convenience stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online via Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier from the USA TODAY Networkin these US states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington DC and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to select your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket and claim your winnings all from your phone or home computer.

What is the deadline for buying Mega Millions tickets?

The deadline to buy a Mega Millions ticket varies from state to state, so don’t wait until the last minute. It can take 15 minutes to an hour or more before the drawing itself. For some third-party lottery apps, the deadline may be closer to two hours before the draw. For example, Jackpocket in New Jersey has a deadline of 21:15 for the drawing at 11 p.m. ET.

Click here to check the deadline for where you live.

What are my odds of winning the lottery?

Playing Mega Millions can be exciting, but don’t spend those millions until you win.

The odds of winning the jackpot are 302,575,350-to-1. The odds of matching all five white balls are 12,607,306-to-1.

Unfortunate? Here are 13 crazy things that are more likely to happen than winning the lottery

What does cash option mean?

The major lotteries in the United States offer two jackpot payout options: annuity and cash.

The annuity option is paid out over time. There is an immediate payment and then 29 annual payments after that, increasing by 5% each year. The cash option is significantly lower than the advertised jackpot, but it is paid in a lump sum. You don’t have to wait decades for all the money.

Can a jackpot winner remain anonymous?

In some states, like New Jersey, you can win a lottery anonymously. That wasn’t always the case, but now the winners are able to remain anonymous under a law signed by Governor Phil Murphy. In other states, a winner’s name and hometown are a matter of public record. Check with your state lottery for more information.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn money for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.