California Resident Wins $1.22 Billion Mega Millions Jackpot: A Life-Changing Moment

A lucky resident of Cottonwood, California, is closing out 2024 with a life-changing win. The staggering $1.22 billion Mega Millions jackpot ticket was sold at Sunshine Food and Gas station on Rhonda Road, making it the fifth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history. The winning numbers for the December 27th draw were 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, and the gold Mega Ball 6, with a multiplier of 3X.

The Details of the Mega Millions Jackpot Win

The winner faces a monumental decision: they can opt for the full jackpot amount of $1.22 billion in annual installments or a one-time lump sum cash payout of $549.7 million. This historic win also ends a three-month dry spell for Mega Millions, which had not seen a jackpot winner since September 10, when a Texas resident won $552 million.

Adding to the excitement, Friday’s draw also produced five $1 million winners from across the country.

Sunshine for Cottonwood: A Town of Winners

Cottonwood, a small town of around 6,300 people located 146 miles north of Sacramento, became the focal point of national attention as the winning ticket was sold at a local gas station.

Joshua Johnston, the lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, expressed his congratulations in a press release:
“At an incredibly special time of year, this is both an incredibly special moment for our winner and for all the great organizations and causes that benefit from lottery ticket sales around the country. Thank you to everyone who plays.”

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December 27th Mega Millions Winning Numbers

The winning numbers for the draw were:

• White Balls: 3, 7, 37, 49, 55
• Gold Mega Ball: 6
• Multiplier: 3X

If you’d like to see the list of past winners, visit the official Mega Millions website.

How to Play Mega Millions

Mega Millions is a game of dreams. To participate, players purchase a ticket from authorized locations like convenience stores, gas stations, or grocery stores. Tickets can also be bought online in certain states through platforms like Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Each ticket requires choosing six numbers:

1. Five white balls (numbers 1–70)
2. One gold Mega Ball (numbers 1–25)

For those who prefer a surprise, “Quick Pick” or “Easy Pick” options allow the computer to generate numbers automatically.

For an additional dollar, players can opt for the “Megaplier,” which multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2X, 3X, 4X, or 5X.

The Bigger Picture

This win marks the fifth-largest prize in Mega Millions history and highlights the significant contributions of lottery ticket sales to educational initiatives, park development, and other community programs nationwide.

While the jackpot win steals the spotlight, thousands of players nationwide also took home smaller prizes, proving that the Mega Millions truly creates winners of all sizes.

Final Thoughts

With a new multimillionaire in Cottonwood and five additional $1 million winners, the Mega Millions draw on December 27 has undoubtedly spread holiday cheer far and wide. For those dreaming of their own jackpot moment, remember to play responsibly, and who knows? The next winning ticket might have your name on it.

For more details about Mega Millions, its rules, or how to play, visit Jackpocket.