Historic $1.22 Billion Mega Millions Ticket Sold In CA

SHASTA COUNTY, CA —There's a new billionaire in California. The winning ticket for Friday's historic $1.22 billion Mega Millions jackpot was sold in the Golden State, lottery officials said.

A ticket that matched all six numbers in Friday's drawing was sold in Cottonwood in Shasta County. The ticket was purchased at the Sunshine Food and Gas convenience store, the California Lottery announced.

The ticket matched all six numbers: 3, 7, 37, 49 and 55. The gold Mega Ball was 6.

The winner has the option of receiving $1.22 billion — the ninth-largest lottery jackpot in the history of the game — in 30 graduated annual installments or a lump sum cash payment of $549.7 million before federal taxes.

The winner has not been identified.

Two $1 million winning tickets were also sold in California for Friday's drawing, according to the Mega Millions website, meaning they matched all five white balls. The tickets were sold at Cardenas Market in San Bernardino and Chevron in Roseville.

Since California Mega Millions prize amounts are pari-mutuel, the second-tier winners will receive just over $787,000, according to state lottery officials.

Tickets worth $1 million were also sold in Arizona, Missouri and Texas.

Mega Millions tickets are $2 each. Players can add the Megaplier for $1 to multiply their non-jackpot prizes. Drawings are held at 11 p.m. ET on Tuesdays and Fridays.