Cottonwood, CA, Dec. 28 — The holiday season just turned unforgettable for one lucky lottery player in California. A single ticket purchased at a Circle K store in the quiet town of Cottonwood has won the massive $1.22 billion Mega Millions jackpot. This life-altering prize is the fifth-largest in the game’s nearly three-decade history.

The winning numbers drawn on Friday night were 3, 7, 37, 49, 55, with the golden Mega Ball 6. For the fortunate winner, this $2 ticket has become an unimaginable windfall.

A Historic Win in Mega Millions

The last time someone won the Mega Millions jackpot was on September 10, when a Texas player took home $810 million. Since then, the prize grew with each rollover, culminating in Friday’s drawing.

Circle K, the store that sold the ticket, will also celebrate with a $1 million retailer bonus—a holiday bonus no one saw coming.

Although the jackpot officially stands at $1.22 billion, the winner can choose to receive the full amount in annual payments over a period of 30 years, or they can choose to receive a lump-sum cash payout of $549.7 million before taxes. Both federal and state taxes will significantly reduce the winnings, particularly in California where lottery winnings are subject to income tax.

Odds Defied

Winning a jackpot like this is the kind of dream people hold onto despite the staggering odds. At 1 in 302,575,350, the chances of hitting all six numbers are less likely than being struck by lightning or encountering a Hollywood celebrity in your local grocery store.

“What an amazing gift to receive this holiday season,” said Joshua Johnston, lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium. “This is a special moment for our winner and for the communities supported by lottery ticket sales across the country.”

Big Wins, Big Impact

This isn’t the first time Mega Millions has made headlines with a billion-dollar prize. Since the game’s inception, jackpots have crossed the $1 billion mark seven times.

Friday’s drawing didn’t just make one person a billionaire—it created over 5.6 million winners across all prize tiers. Five players matched five numbers, earning $787,543 each. Those tickets were sold in Missouri, Texas, and three locations in California.

Even the smallest prize, awarded for matching only the golden Mega Ball, offers players a modest but welcome $2 payout.

A Holiday to Remember

While the identity of the winner remains a mystery, Cottonwood, a town known for its rural charm, will forever be linked to one of the most extraordinary lottery wins in history.

The nation eagerly anticipates the unfolding of this life-changing story as Mega Millions shifts its focus to the next drawing. ( Topinfo )