Why Does California Dominate Mega Millions, and Where Does New Jersey Rank

Just days after a New Jersey player claimed a massive, billion-dollar lottery prize, another Mega Millions jackpot has made a billionaire in California.

The $1.22 billion winning ticket for Friday's drawing was sold in Northern California, about two hours north of Sacramento. The winner has not yet come forward.

This win comes just a week after the $1.13 billion jackpot from a March drawing was claimed. That ticket, the last billion-dollar prize, was sold in New Jersey.

So, where does New Jersey rank among all-time lottery winners, and why does California seem to win so often?

California has an undeniable knack for lottery success, with 37 Mega Millions jackpots — the second-most in the nation, behind only New York's 44 wins, according to Mega Millions data.

The state's massive population of nearly 40 million and high ticket sales give it an advantage, especially when jackpots approach nine figures, attracting more casual players.

New Jersey, however, has an impressive record of its own.

The Garden State has 26 Mega Millions jackpots, ranking third in the country. New Jersey players have claimed some of the game's largest prizes, including the $1.13 billion win from March and a $533 million jackpot in 2018.

But it’s not just Mega Millions — New Jersey has also won 12 Powerball jackpots, tying it with Kansas and New York.

These numbers, however, pale in comparison to the top three states in Powerball wins. Indiana leads with 39, followed by Missouri with 31, and Minnesota with 22.

New Jersey's most recent Powerball win came in June, when an anonymous player claimed $222 million.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: California wins Mega Millions… again; where New Jersey ranks.