Although the winner of the $1.22 billion jackpot in the Mega Millions drawing on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, was in California, lottery officials say there were thousands of other winners who hit smaller prizes in Ohio.

“We know that many people will likely receive tickets to Friday’s drawing as holiday gifts, and what a gift that would turn out to be if you ended up with a ticket worth a $1.15 billion jackpot,” Joshua Johnston, lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium, said in a news release before the jackpot rose again to $1.22 billion.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, Mega Millions jackpot has reached an estimated $1.15 billion, making it the fifth-largest in the lottery’s history. The cash estimate for the jackpot is $516.1 million before taxes.