One ticket matched the Mega Millions numbers drawn last night, winning the ninth-largest jackpot ever in U.S. history. 

The $1.269 billion jackpot paid in annuities is the fifth-largest Mega Millions prize ever claimed. The Mega Millions Consortium, managing the interstate lottery game for its 45 member states, along with Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, announces that the winning ticket was purchased in California. 

The winning ticket for the Friday night numbers 3, 7, 37, 49, and 55, along with the gold Mega Ball 6, was purchased in Cottonwood at the Circle K Sunshine Food and Gas convenience store on Rhonda Rd. Cottonwood, an old stagecoach settlement about 125 air miles north of Sacramento, is situated in Shasta County in Northern California. 

“Congratulations to our $1.269 billion jackpot winner from California. What an amazing present this holiday season,” said Joshua Johnston, lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium.

“At an incredibly special time of year, this is both an incredibly special moment for our winner and all the great organizations and causes that benefit from lottery ticket sales around the country,” Johnston continued. “Thank you to everyone who plays. Because of you, we have winners all around the country taking home cash prizes both big and small, and we have educational causes, parks, and many other great organizations benefiting as well.”

The victor has one year to step forward. California does not permit lottery winners to keep their identities secret. 

Victory Analysis 

The fortunate winner can select either the complete $1.269 billion jackpot distributed over 30 years or a single lump cash payment of $571.9 million. Both figures were raised from the pre-draw prediction of $1.15 billion and $516.1 million due to better-than-anticipated sales. 

The $1.269 billion annuity and $571.9 million in cash are prior to federal taxes. California does not view lottery earnings as taxable income. 

As the majority of Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners opt for the cash option, let's analyze it under the assumption that this trend persists. Should the winner choose the lump sum payment, the $571.9 million will be diminished to about $360.3 million following a federal tax rate of 37%. 

In June, Casino.org stated that players in California, New York, and New Jersey have the best luck with Mega Millions and Powerball. These three states are at the forefront regarding the total number of jackpots claimed since 2017. 

That shouldn't come as a big shock, since California is the most populous state in the nation and boasts one of the strongest lottery systems.

"California, we’ve done it again! One lucky ticket sold at Circle K Stores on Rhonda Rd. in Cottonwood was the sole ticket across the nation to match all six numbers in tonight’s (Dec. 27) Mega Millions drawing!” the California Lottery posted on its social media channels.

411 about Cottonwood 

Cottonwood in Shasta County is perhaps most recognized as the location where actor-comedian Chris Farley made his last film. 

The 1998 film "Almost Heroes," a western adventure comedy that received poor reviews, was mainly shot in Cottonwood. Farley co-starred with Matthew Perry, who, like the former SNL comedian, passed away from a drug overdose. 

Shasta County is likely most recognized as the birthplace of the soft drink producer. Shasta County derives its name from the nearby Mount Shasta.