Mega Millions Jackpot Growth
The Mega Millions jackpot is currently growing, with the prize money for the next draw reaching an impressive $279 million. A lucky winner in Illinois won the jackpot at the beginning of June, but the excitement continues to build as the jackpot increases. If you opt for the cash option, the payout would be $131.1 million. This upcoming draw could be your chance to win big.
Drawing Details
The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET. Winning this jackpot would represent the fifth-largest gaming prize and the largest since a $1.3 billion prize was won in Maine in January 2023. The largest ever Mega Millions prize was $1.537 billion, won in South Carolina in October 2018. As the jackpot grows, ticket sales increase, which further decreases the already small chances of winning.
Where to Buy Tickets
Mega Millions tickets are available in 45 states. However, they are not available in Alabama, Alaska, Hawai’i, Nevada, and Utah. Tickets are also available in Washington D.C. and the US Virgin Islands. For those who prefer to buy tickets online, several states offer this option. In Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington D.C., you can register with local lotteries to purchase tickets online.
Powerball Jackpot Details
The new Powerball jackpot has risen to $559 million, with a cash payout of $273.3 million. No tickets matched its winning numbers during Monday’s drawing, which were 1, 3, 7, 16, and 66, with the Powerball number being 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.
Upcoming Drawings
The next Powerball drawing is scheduled for Monday night, with an $800 million jackpot. Powerball drawings occur every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. The next Mega Millions drawing is on Tuesday night, with the jackpot currently standing at $279 million. Mega Millions drawings occur every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET in Atlanta.
Recent Winning Numbers
Last Friday’s winning numbers for Mega Millions were 3, 8, 31, 35, and 44, with the Mega Ball being 16 and the Megaplier being 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. The winning numbers for the most recent Powerball drawing were 1, 3, 7, 16, and 66, with the Powerball number being 5.
How to Play Mega Millions
Tickets for Mega Millions 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. Easy Pick or Quick Pick options are available for random number selection by the terminal. To win the jackpot, all six winning numbers must match those drawn. Most states offer the Megaplier feature, which increases non-jackpot prizes by two to five times for an additional $1 per play. Before each regular drawing, the Megaplier is drawn from a pool of balls marked with “2X,” “4X,” and “5X.”
Largest Jackpots Ever Won
The largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won was $1.537 billion in October 2018 by a single ticket from South Carolina. The largest Powerball jackpot ever won was $1.586 billion in January 2016, shared by three tickets from California, Florida, and Tennessee. These massive jackpots have made headlines and changed the lives of the winners forever.
Where to Buy Tickets
Tickets for both Mega Millions and Powerball can be purchased at gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and some airport terminals. Online orders can be placed through 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.
Jackpocket App Features
The Jackpocket app allows users to pick their lottery game and numbers, place orders, see tickets, and collect winnings using their phone or home computer. It is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. This app makes it easier for players to participate in the lottery without having to visit a physical location.
Gambling Problem Resources
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, resources are available to help. You can call or text various helplines depending on your location. For example, in New York, you can contact HOPE-NY for assistance. It’s important to seek help if gambling is affecting your life or the lives of those around you.
Conclusion
With the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots reaching impressive amounts, now is the time to try your luck. The next Mega Millions drawing is on Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET, with a jackpot of $279 million. The next Powerball drawing is on Monday night, with a jackpot of $800 million. Remember to play responsibly and good luck!
