(WWJ) - Many Metro Detroiters are dreaming of what they would do if they won the Mega Millions jackpot.
The jackpot sits at $1.22 billion as of early Friday afternoon. If the cash option is taken, the winner or winners get $549.7 million.
A spokesman for the Michigan Lottery, Jake Harris, said part of the reason the amount up for grabs is so high is the number of tickets bought as stocking stuffers. He also said the number of people who buy tickets increases as the jackpot grows, which increases as tickets are sold.
If you have the winning ticket, it’s important to sign the back of it. There is a 1-year time limit to claim the prize.
Michigan has had a big lottery winner in 2024. A lottery club in Genesee County won the $842.4 million Powerball jackpot on Jan. 1.
Harris said if won, this would be the biggest jackpot in December. It’s currently the fifth highest in the game’s history and the tenth highest in United States’ lottery history.
WWJ will have the winning numbers after they are announced at 11 p.m.