The dream of ending the year as a millionaire became reality for a lucky ticket holder in California.
The grand prize of the Mega Millions lottery on December 27, valued at $1.22 billion, was won by a single ticket.
This prize was the fifth largest in the history of the game and the seventh to surpass one billion dollars.
The winning combination was 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, and the golden Mega Ball 6.
The ticket was purchased at Sunshine Food and Gas, a small establishment in Cottonwood, a community of approximately 6,000 residents located south of Redding in Northern California.
This prize came after 30 consecutive drawings without a winner for the jackpot, allowing the amount to reach a record high.
The last time someone matched all six numbers was on September 10, when a ticket sold in Texas won $810 million.
The winner will have two options to receive their winnings: an immediate payment of approximately $571.9 million, subject to federal and state taxes, or 30 annual payments that increase by 5% each year, which helps protect purchasing power against inflation.
If the winner is a resident of California, they could take home the full amount, as this state is one of the eight that does not tax lottery winnings.
Mega Millions Prize History
Mega Millions has awarded some of the largest prizes in the history of lotteries in the United States
$2.004 million (Powerball): Won in November 2022 by a ticket also sold in California.
-1.128 million dollars: Recently claimed in New Jersey following the drawing on March 26, 2023.
-810 million dollars: Awarded in Texas on September 10, 2023.
The Mega Millions lottery is played in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Players must select five numbers from 1 to 70 (white balls) and one additional number from 1 to 25 (golden Mega Ball).
The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350. However, there are other prize categories ranging from $2 to $1 million, depending on the number of correct picks.
The lottery not only transforms the lives of the winners but also generates significant 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."
The Mega Millions drawings take place twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). Each ticket costs 2 dollars.
The first edition of Mega Millions was played on September 6, 1996, when it was still called "The Big Game."
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