Recent Mega Millions Draw
The Mega Millions drawing on November 12, 2024, had an estimated jackpot of $361 million. The winning numbers for this draw were 18, 31, 33, 64, and 68, with a Mega Ball of 17. The Megaplier was 3x, which means non-jackpot prizes could be multiplied by three. As of now, it is not confirmed if anyone has won the jackpot, but results will be announced soon. The last Mega Millions jackpot was won on September 10 by a single winner from Texas, who claimed an $800 million prize.
Upcoming Drawings and How to Play
The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Friday, November 15. Drawings occur every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. In New York, tickets can be purchased in-store and online until 10 p.m. on the night of the draw. In New Jersey and Connecticut, ticket sales close at 10:45 p.m. A Mega Millions ticket costs $2 to play, and players can choose to add the Megaplier feature for an additional $1 per play. This feature increases non-jackpot prizes by two to five times.
To play Mega Millions, purchase tickets at local convenience stores or online in some states. Select six numbers: five white balls from numbers ranging from 1 to 70 and one gold Mega Ball from numbers ranging from 1 to 25. Players can opt for “Quick Pick” or “Easy Pick” for random number selection by computer.
Prize Tiers and Odds
The prize tiers for Mega Millions include several options. Matching all five white balls plus the Mega Ball wins the jackpot. Matching five white balls wins $1 million, while matching four white balls plus the Mega Ball wins $10,000. Other prize tiers include $500 for matching four white balls, $200 for matching three white balls plus the Mega Ball, and $10 for matching three white balls. The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 302,575,350.
Jackpot Payment Options
Jackpot winners can choose between an annuity or a cash payment. The annuity option includes one immediate payment followed by annual payments over 29 years, increasing by 5% each year to account for inflation. The cash option provides a lump-sum payment equal to all cash in the prize pool. If multiple winners exist in one drawing, they share the prize equally.
New York Lottery Stories
In addition to the Mega Millions, the New York Lottery offers other games like Win 4 and Take 5. Recently, a group of coworkers from a small town in New York won a significant prize in the Take 5 game. They had been playing together for years, pooling their money each week. Their persistence paid off when they matched all five numbers, winning a substantial amount. The group plans to use their winnings to support local charities and invest in their community.
Another heartwarming story involves a retired teacher who won a large prize in the Win 4 game. She had been playing the same numbers for decades, inspired by her grandchildren’s birthdays. When she finally won, she decided to use her winnings to fund scholarships for students in her hometown. Her generosity has inspired others in the community to give back as well.
Conclusion
The New York Lottery continues to create exciting opportunities for players, with recent winners sharing inspiring stories of generosity and community support. Whether it’s the thrill of the Mega Millions or the joy of winning a local game, the lottery offers a chance for dreams to come true. As the next drawing approaches, players across New York are eagerly awaiting their chance to win big.
