Mega Millions Jackpot Growth
The Mega Millions jackpot is currently growing, with the prize money for the upcoming Tuesday draw set at $226 million. A lucky winner in Illinois won the jackpot at the beginning of June, but since then, no one has claimed the grand prize. If you opt for the cash option, the payout would be $106.9 million. This makes the upcoming drawing highly anticipated among lottery enthusiasts.
Next Mega Millions Drawing Details
The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET. Winning this jackpot would make it the fifth-largest gaming prize and the largest since a $1.3 billion prize was won in Maine in January 2023. The excitement is palpable as players across the country purchase their tickets in hopes of becoming the next big winner.
Historical Context of Mega Millions
The largest ever Mega Millions prize was $1.537 billion, won in South Carolina in October 2018. This historical context adds to the allure of the current jackpot, as players dream of matching those winning numbers and changing their lives forever. As the jackpot grows, ticket sales increase, which further decreases the already small chances of winning.
Where to Buy Mega Millions Tickets
Mega Millions tickets are available in 45 states, as well as in D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, they are not available in Alabama, Alaska, Hawai’i, Nevada, and Utah. For those in states where tickets are sold, they can be purchased at gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and some airport terminals. Additionally, in states like Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and D.C., tickets can be bought online by registering with local lotteries.
Powerball Jackpot Details
The Powerball jackpot is also on the rise, with the new jackpot estimated at $559 million and a cash payout of $273.3 million. No winning ticket matched Monday’s numbers (1, 3, 7, 16, and 66) with the Powerball (5). The last Powerball jackpot winner was on January 1, when a single ticket in Michigan won $842.4 million with a cash value of $425.2 million. This was the fifth-largest total in Powerball history and the tenth-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever.
Next Powerball Drawing Information
The next Powerball drawing is scheduled for Wednesday at 10:59 p.m. ET. Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET in Tallahassee, Florida. As with Mega Millions, the excitement builds as the jackpot grows, and players eagerly await the results.
Recent Winning Numbers and Megaplier Feature
Last Friday’s winning numbers for Mega Millions were 3, 8, 31, 35, and 44; the Mega Ball was 16 and the Megaplier was 3X. There were no overall jackpot winners, but there were Match 5 + Megaplier winners in Virginia and Match 5 winners in California, Florida, Illinois, Nebraska, and Texas. Most states offer the Megaplier feature, which increases non-jackpot prizes by two to five times for an additional $1 per play.
How to Play Mega Millions and Powerball
Tickets for Mega Millions and Powerball cost $2 per play. Players pick five numbers from a range of 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from a range of 1 to 25 for Mega Millions. For Powerball, players pick five numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26. Easy Pick or Quick Pick options are available for random number selection. Adding the “Megaplier” or “Power Play” option can increase non-grand prize winnings by two to five times.
Online Ticket Purchase Options
In addition to physical locations, tickets can be purchased online through platforms like Jackpocket in specific U.S. states and territories, including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows users to pick lottery games and numbers online, place orders, and see their tickets digitally. Winnings can be collected using the app on phones or home computers.
Responsible Gambling Information
It’s important to note that participants must be of legal age to play, which is 18 or older depending on state regulations. The lottery is not affiliated with any State Lottery directly, and support is available for gambling problems via various hotlines depending on location. Responsible gambling is encouraged to ensure that the lottery remains a fun and exciting activity.
Additional Lottery Wins and Stories
In addition to the main jackpots, there have been several notable lottery wins recently. A North Carolina man won a $100,000 lottery prize three years after winning $200,000. A Maryland man’s five identical lottery tickets earned him a total of $250,000. A lottery ticket birthday gift resulted in a $25,000 prize. These stories add to the excitement and hope that surrounds the lottery, as players dream of their own big win.
Conclusion
With the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots continuing to grow, the upcoming drawings are highly anticipated events. The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET, with a jackpot of $226 million. The next Powerball drawing is set for Wednesday at 10:59 p.m. ET, with a jackpot of $559 million. Whether you choose to buy your tickets at a physical location or online, the excitement and anticipation of potentially winning a life-changing amount of money is palpable. Remember to play responsibly and good luck!
