Mega Millions Jackpot Rolls Over
The Mega Millions lottery drawing on December 17, 2024, did not produce a jackpot winner. The jackpot, which was a staggering $760 million, has now rolled over, making it the seventh highest in the game’s history. The winning numbers for the December 17 drawing were 56, 66, 67, 68, and 69, with a Mega Ball of 18. The Megaplier was 4X. Despite the lack of a jackpot winner, the excitement continues to build as the jackpot grows even larger.
Second-Prize Winners Celebrate
While no one claimed the jackpot, several players still walked away with significant prizes. Four tickets matched five numbers but not the Mega Ball, each worth $1 million. These lucky tickets were sold in California (two tickets), Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Additionally, a ticket sold in North Carolina matched five numbers and included the Megaplier option, making it worth $4 million. These winners are celebrating their good fortune, even as the jackpot remains unclaimed.
Understanding Mega Millions
To win any prize in Mega Millions, players must match at least one number, and it must be the Mega Ball, which is worth $2. Matching two numbers does not result in a payout unless one of them is the Mega Ball. The next Mega Millions drawing will be held on Friday, with an estimated jackpot of $825 million and a cash option of $382.2 million. Drawings occur twice weekly at approximately 10 p.m. CT every Tuesday and Friday and can be watched via YouTube. A Mega Millions ticket costs $2 per play, and adding the Megaplier costs an additional $1 to potentially increase non-jackpot winnings.
Powerball Jackpot Update
In other lottery news, the Powerball jackpot for December 18 is estimated at $69 million, with a cash option of $32.2 million. This comes after no winner emerged from Monday night’s drawing. The anticipation for both Mega Millions and Powerball continues to grow as players hope to strike it rich.
Kerala State Lottery Results
Meanwhile, in India, the Kerala Lottery Result for December 18, 2024, has been declared for the “Fifty Fifty FF 121” draw. The draw is conducted every Wednesday at 3 PM by the Kerala Lottery Department. The first prize winner receives a bumper prize of Rs. 1 Crore. The lottery is identified by an alphanumeric code; for this draw, it is “FF 121.” The results are announced at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram.
Prize Details and Winners
The Kerala State Lotteries publishes this lottery in 12 series with a total of 108 lakh tickets available weekly. The winning numbers and prize details are accessible on Zee News English for live updates. Prize details include a first prize of Rs. 1 Crore (Lucky Number: FC 728408), a second prize of Rs. 10 Lakhs (Lucky Number: FG 390551), and various other prizes ranging from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 100. Consolation prizes of Rs. 8,000 are awarded to tickets ending with specific numbers.
Claiming Prizes in Kerala
Winners must verify results in the Kerala Government Gazette and claim their prize within thirty days at the Kerala Lottery office in Thiruvananthapuram with their ticket and identification documentation. A tax deduction of thirty percent applies to winnings, along with a ten percent agent commission fee. Online purchasing of Kerala lottery tickets is prohibited and may lead to legal consequences as per state government regulations.
Upcoming Kerala Lottery Draws
The Kerala Lottery Department conducts six bumper lotteries annually, along with monthly draws and seven weekly lotteries. Daily draws are held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The next draw, the Karunya Plus KN-552, is scheduled for December 19, and the next Fifty Fifty FF-122 draw will take place on December 25 at Gorky Bhavan.
Responsible Lottery Play
While lotteries offer the chance to win significant prizes, they can also be addictive. It is important for players to engage in responsible play. The Kerala Lottery Department and news outlets like Zee News and ABP Live emphasize that their content is informational only and do not promote lotteries.
Conclusion
The excitement surrounding lottery draws continues to captivate players worldwide. With the Mega Millions jackpot rolling over and the Kerala State Lottery announcing new winners, the allure of striking it rich remains strong. As players eagerly await the next draws, the hope of becoming a millionaire keeps the dream alive.
