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Just in time for the holidays, one fortunate Mega Millions player might win a record-breaking prize almost reaching $1 billion.

This Friday's, Mega Millions jackpot soared to $862 million, breaking through the initial projection of $825 million. The winning numbers of the draw were 2, 20, 51, 56, 67, and the Mega Ball 19. In case a person wins, they can take home a lump sum of $392.1 million, an amount that has caught the imagination of hopeful players from all over the country.

Mega Millions has had a record-breaking string of jackpots this year, and 2024 was the most extraordinary. "It's the most unusual jackpot year," said Joshua Johnston from Mega Millions Consortium, CNN shared.

In September, an $800 million prize was claimed, given to a Houston-area winner, who took home over $409 million in cash. A record sum was drawn in June by an Illinois player who wished to remain anonymous for a $552 million jackpot purchased online.

$1 Billion Mega Millions Jackpot

To be clear, this is not the only jackpot to reach a billion milestone. This year, the New Jersey Lottery is also looking forward to the person who will claim the $1.13 billion prize from a ticket bought in March. FOX Business reported that the winner has till March 2025 to claim the money. It is, however, the December jackpot that is drawing all eyes.

Traditionally, December has witnessed 13 Mega Millions jackpots, but no one has ever claimed the prize on Christmas Day, even though ticket sales go up during the holiday season.

Johnston said that ticket sales spike as people buy Mega Millions tickets when running errands. The crowd is now electric with the prize at $862 million, and the prospect of becoming a multi-millionaire during the holiday season makes everyone feel a little like Santa Claus at Christmas.