Santa may have arrived a little late this holiday season, but he certainly brought joy to one lucky individual who won the staggering $1.22 billion Mega Millions jackpot. A single ticket purchased in California matched all the winning numbers: 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, and the Mega Ball of 6 during Friday’s drawing.
The winning ticket was sold at Sunshine Food and Gas, situated in the small community of Cottonwood, California, which has a population of around 6,000, located south of Redding. This immense jackpot had been growing steadily since September 13, when a ticket sold in Texas claimed an $810 million prize. Prior to this recent win, no ticket had matched all the winning numbers in the drawing held on Christmas Eve.
When no one wins the jackpot, the prize rolls over, which contributes to the accumulation of larger prizes as ticket sales continue. Should the ticket holder choose to remain in California, they could benefit significantly as it is one of the eight states that do not impose taxes on lottery winnings, allowing them to take home the full amount.
This latest win marks the fifth largest jackpot in Mega Millions history. It’s noteworthy that the previous fifth-largest winner, who claimed $1.128 billion, purchased their ticket in Neptune Township, New Jersey. Interestingly, winners often take their time before filing a claim, as indicated by Mega Millions officials.
In terms of cash value, if the California winner opts for the lump sum, they would be looking at a pre-tax estimate of about $537.5 million. With federal taxes potentially taking a significant portion, coupled with any state taxes if applicable, the winner may need to brace for several deductions from their total.
So far in 2024, there have been three winners of the Mega Millions jackpot, which is notably low when compared to past years. The year 2023 was quite successful for the game, producing 10 jackpots, the highest number since major changes were implemented in 2013. The largest Mega Millions jackpot to date remains at $1.602 billion, claimed by a Florida player in August 2023, although it still falls short of the Powerball’s record jackpot of $2.040 billion in November 2022.
This recent jackpot win is a remarkable reminder of the potential for life-changing fortunes through lottery games, bringing hope and excitement to players everywhere. Whether it’s a late holiday gift or a fresh start for the new year, the story of this Mega Millions jackpot is one of dreams coming to life.