One ticket wins $1.33 billion Mega Millions jackpot

DES MOINES, Iowa - Someone beat the odds and won the $1.33 billion Mega Millions jackpot.

According to megamillions.com, there was one winning ticket in the draw Friday night, and it was bought in Illinois.

The winning numbers were: 13-36-45-57-67, Mega Ball: 14.

The jackpot was the nation's third-largest lottery prize. It grew so large because no one had matched the game's six selected numbers since April 15. That's 29 consecutive draws without a jackpot winner.

The $1.33 billion prize is for winners who choose the annuity option, paid annually over 29 years. Most winners opt for the cash option, which for Friday night's drawing was an estimated $780.5 million. Earlier, Illinois Lottery officials had estimated the winning take at $1.28 billion. 

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302.5 million.

People should still hold on to their lottery tickets to check and see if they won any of the smaller prizes. If you matched the mega ball number, you would immediately earn $2. If you matched at least four numbers, even without the mega ball number, you could earn hundreds of dollars. 

While it is fun and exciting to win the lottery, it is important to handle the large sum of money carefully and responsibly, experts said. 

Winners of the lottery should hire a financial advisor to provide them a financial plan after celebrating the victory, Caroline Chen, assistant professor of accounting and finance at San Jose State University,  said. 

Mega Millions is played in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The game is coordinated by state lotteries.

KTVU's James Torrez contributed to this report.