ATLANTA (AP) — A Mega Millions player has plenty of money to ring in the new year after drawing the winning number. After three months of no one winning the top prize, a ticket worth an estimated $1.22 billion was sold for Friday night’s drawing.

The winner received white balls 3, 7, 37, 49, 55 and the gold mega ball 6. The identity of the winner was not immediately known.

The total amount of the Mega Millions jackpot will only be distributed to a winner who chooses an annuity that will be paid out over 29 years. Almost all grand prize winners opt for a cash payout, estimated to be $549.7 million in Friday night’s drawing.

Despite the game’s long odds of 1 in 302.6 million, players continued to buy tickets as the size of the top prize increased. Until Friday, the last time a Mega Millions player won the top prize was September 10th.

In August 2023, the largest Mega Millions jackpot ticket ever was sold in Florida, worth $1.6 billion. Two prizes for his compatriot’s Powerball lottery were larger.

Mega Millions and Powerball are sold in 45 states as well as Washington, DC and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball is also sold in Puerto Rico.