California has a brand new billionaire after a fortunate particular person bought a profitable Mega Thousands and thousands ticket price an estimated $1.22 billion. The ticket, offered in Northern California, matched all six profitable numbers: 3, 7, 37, 49, 55 and Mega Ball 6. This jackpot is believed to be the fifth-largest prize within the recreation’s historical past.
The prize, which equates to $549.7 million in money, has elevated since its final draw on Christmas Eve, when no winner claimed the estimated $1 billion jackpot. The profitable ticket was offered at Sunshine Meals & Fuel in Cottonwood, Shasta County, in response to the California State Lottery.
This win marks simply the fourth Mega Thousands and thousands jackpot gained in 2024 and the seventh time within the recreation’s historical past that the jackpot has surpassed $1 billion. Different file jackpots have been awarded in South Carolina in 2018, Michigan in 2021, Illinois in 2022, Maine and Florida in 2023, and New Jersey in March. The Florida jackpot stays the sport’s file jackpot of $1.602 billion.
Along with the jackpot winner, 5 different tickets offered in Arizona, California, Texas and Missouri every gained $1 million by matching the primary 5 numbers. Joshua Johnston, lead director of the Mega Thousands and thousands Consortium, congratulated the California winner in a press launch, calling it an unimaginable Christmas reward.
With just one draw remaining this 12 months, 2024 is more likely to finish with the bottom variety of jackpots gained in any 12 months because the recreation started in 2002.
