A Mega Millions player experienced the holiday of a lifetime after one ticket won the staggering $1.22 billion jackpot on Friday, December 27, 2024. According to the Mega Millions lottery organizers, the single ticket was sold in Cottonwood, California, and it matched all six numbers drawn during this festive drawing.
This grand prize, valued at approximately $1.22 billion or $549.7 million if taken as cash, has been recorded as the fifth-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever and marks the seventh time the lottery has exceeded the billion-dollar threshold.
The official winning numbers for this remarkable drawing were white balls: 3, 7, 37, 49, and 55, with the gold Mega Ball being 6. Players around the country surely felt the excitement as Friday's draw also yielded more than 5.6 million winning tickets across various prize levels.
Alongside the jackpot winner, five tickets matched the five white balls, allowing those fortunate players to win the second-tier prize of $1 million. This included two winners from California, along with others from Arizona, Missouri, and Texas. Winning tickets were also recorded at the third-tier level, where 157 tickets matched four white balls and the Mega Ball.
Interestingly, because the Megaplier option was set at three times for this draw, 28 players were awarded $30,000 each instead of the standard $10,000, having included this feature. The Megaplier functions as an exciting option for players, which multiplies non-jackpot winnings and offers participants enhanced potential returns on their investments.
Following this life-changing win, Joshua Johnston, the lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium, shared his well-wishes with the winner. "Congratulations to our $1.22 billion jackpot winner from California! What an amazing present this holiday season!" he exclaimed. Johnston highlighted the joy of this moment not just for the winner, but for the many causes supported by lottery ticket sales, including educational initiatives and local organizations.
Mega Millions, available to players across 45 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, is known for drawing numbers every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. The next drawing is set to occur on December 31, 2024, with the jackpot resetting to its beginning value of $20 million—there's speculation about the thrill of playing for New Year’s Eve, especially since no Mega Millions jackpot has ever been won on this date.
The game's rules are simple and one can buy tickets for $2 each. During each drawing, players choose six numbers: five from the white ball group (numbered 1-70) and one from the gold ball set (numbered 1-25). Various combinations yield different prizes, making it exciting for anyone holding a ticket.
For those still yearning for their share of the prize life has to offer, the Mega Millions game has some stringent odds—specifically, the chance of winning the jackpot stands at 1 in 302 million. Nevertheless, millions globally take their shot every week, buoyed by the allure of enormous winnings.
With the recent win fresh on everyone’s mind, amateur players and seasoned pros alike are likely gearing up for next Tuesday's drawing, the chance to not only change their lives but to also smile at the possibility of winning big.
