The Mega Millions lottery jackpot was an estimated $28 million with a cash option of $12.4 million for Friday night's drawing, according to the Mega Millions website. The jackpot was last won on Jan. 17 when a lottery player in Arizona lottery player won a $112 million jackpot.

"We are thrilled that an Arizona Lottery player won the first Mega Millions jackpot of the year," said Alec Thomson, executive director of the Arizona Lottery, in a written statement.

The most recent big Mega Millions winner was a lucky lottery ticketholder in Arizona who struck gold on Jan. 18, winning a $113 million jackpot. According to the lottery, only four tickets matched all six Mega Millions numbers in 2024 – the fewest jackpots won in a calendar year since the game began in 2002.