Winning $1.26B Mega Millions lottery ticket sells in Cottonwood, California

January 6

2024 is ending on a thrilling note for the person who bought Friday’s winning Mega Million ticket, which at $1.269 billion was the fifth-largest jackpot in that game’s history, according to lottery officials. The ticket sold in Cottonwood, in Shasta County, California.

“In the middle of the holiday season, a Mega Milllions® ticket-holder in California has a lot to celebrate!” lottery officials announced on the website late Friday night.

But the ticket buyer wasn’t the only one celebrating. Ishar Gill and his family were at the Circle K Sunshine Food and Gas market at the corner of Rhonda Road and Gas Point Road on Saturday enjoying the sudden fame from the big prize being awarded to the ticket holder, who still had not been identified.

Gill said he was happy for the winning ticket and what it will bring Cottonwood and Shasta County.

“It’s exciting, but we’re more excited about the community of Cottonwood and for making national headlines, putting Cottonwood in front of people, but we’re excited for the winner,” Gill said.

The family was giving television interviews Saturday morning and posing for photos.

Gill’s sister, Jaspreet Gill, said the winning ticket was sold some time between Wednesday and Friday, but they had no idea who the winner was.

Binda Dhillon, manager of the Circle K Sunshine Market in Cottonwood, California, helps a customer Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. A winning Mega Millions ticket worth $1.22 billion, was sold at the store earlier in the week, according to California Lottery officials.

A lottery official called the family about 9:30 p.m. Friday to tell them the ticket was sold from their store.

“Saying ‘Hey, it says your guys’ store sold it.’ I couldn’t believe it at that time, so lottery (workers) confirmed it around 11:30. They called my dad, and they confirmed, ‘hey, you guys sold it.’ We’ll be there tomorrow to check things out and cross, our T’s and dot our I’s,” Ishar Gill said.

It was by far the largest prize their store had been involved with during the 21 years the family has owned the market. They had previously sold a Scratcher ticket that paid out a $10,000 prize, Ishar Gill said.

Read more: Biggest lotto win, yes. But before $1.26B jackpot, luck struck in this part of California

Ishar Gill said his father, Jaspal Singh, and the rest of his family will receive up to $1 million for selling the winning ticket.

The ticket holder drew all six numbers, 3, 7, 37, 49 and 55, plus the gold Mega Ball 6, according to the lottery website. The amount is the seventh largest Mega Millions jackpot greater than $1 billion.

Mega Millions officials said the Dec. 27 drawing alone produced 5,691,299 winning tickets across all prize tiers, in addition to the jackpot-winning ticket. “Five tickets matched the five white balls to win the game’s second-tier prize; two were sold in California, and one each in Arizona, Missouri and Texas,” according to lottery officials.

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Family members Jaspal Singh, his son Ishar Gill and Singh’s daughter, Jaspreet Gill, were busy giving television interviews Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, after California Lottery officials announced a winning $1.22 billion Mega Millions ticket was sold from their store, the Circle K Sunshine Market in Cottonwood, California.

Initially, lottery officials reported the lucky ticket was for $1.22 billion but they revised the figure to $1.269 billion.

Winners can choose to receive one payment right away and then get paid an annuity over 29 years. The cash payout in Friday’s drawing is estimated at $571.9 million.

Read more: The waiting: Identity of $1.26 billion Mega Millions winner could take months to reveal

The $1 million bonus to the store is the highest a retail partner can earn, California Lottery officials said on Saturday.

The two tickets from California that matched the first five numbers correctly were sold at Chevron at Blue Oaks Boulevard and Foothill Boulevard in Roseville, and at Cardenas Market at 2405 E. Highland Ave. in San Bernardino.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Reporter Damon Arthur welcomes story tips at 530-338-8834, by email at *****@*****.tld and on Twitter at @damonarthur_RS. Help local journalism thrive by subscribing today!

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Winning $1.26B Mega Millions ticket sold in Cottonwood, California

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