Mega Millions Jackpot Reaches New Heights
The Mega Millions jackpot has once again reached an impressive milestone. The next drawing, scheduled for Tuesday night, boasts a staggering $735 million prize. This makes it the sixth-largest jackpot in the history of the game. The cash payout for this jackpot stands at $356.7 million. No one has claimed the Mega Millions jackpot since December 8, which has allowed the prize to grow to its current size.
In the most recent drawing on Friday, no tickets matched the white ball numbers 19, 20, 22, 47, and 58, along with the Mega Ball number 1. This lack of a winner has only added to the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming drawing. Players across the country are eagerly purchasing tickets in hopes of becoming the next big winner.
Powerball Jackpot Continues to Climb
The Powerball jackpot is also on the rise, with the next drawing set for Wednesday night. The current jackpot has reached $559 million, with a cash payout option of $273.3 million. Similar to Mega Millions, the Powerball jackpot has been growing due to a series of drawings without a grand prize winner.
In the most recent Powerball drawing, no ticket matched the winning numbers 1, 3, 7, 16, and 66, along with the Powerball number 5. The last time someone won the Powerball jackpot was on January 1, when a single ticket in Michigan claimed the grand prize worth $842.4 million. This was the fifth-largest total in Powerball history and the tenth-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever.
Lottery Trends and Historical Wins
In recent years, U.S. lotteries have made it more challenging to win the grand prize, resulting in larger jackpots. In 2023, both Mega Millions and Powerball saw two grand prize-winning jackpots of more than $1 billion each for the first time ever. This trend of increasing jackpot sizes has continued into 2024, with two jackpots already surpassing the $1 billion mark.
The most recent Mega Millions jackpot winner was a player from New Jersey who won $1.13 billion on March 26. This was the first Mega Millions jackpot winner of 2024. The winning ticket matched all six numbers: 7, 11, 22, 29, 38, and the Mega Ball number 4. Additionally, twelve tickets matched all five numbers without the Mega Ball, each worth $1 million. One of these tickets added the Megaplier, making it worth $2 million.
How to Play and Win
Playing Mega Millions and Powerball is simple and accessible to anyone. A Mega Millions ticket costs $2 per play, with an option to add the Megaplier for an additional $1. The Megaplier can increase non-jackpot prizes by up to five times. To play, select five numbers from a pool of 1 to 70 (white balls) and one number from a pool of 1 to 25 (Mega Ball). Players can also opt for a Quick Pick, where the lottery machine generates random numbers.
For Powerball, tickets also cost $2 per play, with an option to add the Power Play for an additional $1. The Power Play can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to ten times. To play, select five numbers from a pool of 1 to 69 (white balls) and one number from a pool of 1 to 26 (Powerball). Quick Pick is also available for Powerball.
Where to Buy Tickets
Mega Millions and Powerball tickets are available in 45 states, as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. They are not available in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. Tickets can be purchased at various locations, including gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
In select states, players can purchase tickets online through the Jackpocket app. This app allows users to pick lottery games and numbers, place orders, view tickets, and collect winnings via their phone or computer. The deadline for purchasing tickets varies by state, typically ranging from fifteen minutes to an hour before the drawing. For third-party apps like Jackpocket, the deadline is usually around two hours before the drawing.
Prize Payouts and Odds of Winning
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are approximately one in over three hundred million (302,575,350-to-1). The odds of matching all five white balls are approximately one in twelve million (12,607,306-to-1). For Powerball, the odds of winning the jackpot are also around one in over three hundred million (292,201,338-to-1).
Matching just the Mega Ball in Mega Millions or the Powerball in Powerball can win a prize of $2. Matching all five white balls in Mega Millions (excluding California) can win up to $1 million. The same applies to Powerball, with a prize of $1 million for matching all five white balls.
Cash vs. Annuity Options for Jackpot Winners
Jackpot winners have the option to choose between a cash payout or an annuity. The annuity option involves an immediate payment followed by twenty-nine annual payments, which increase by five percent each year. The cash option is a lump sum that is significantly lower than the advertised jackpot but is paid immediately.
Anonymity for Jackpot Winners
Some states allow jackpot winners to remain anonymous, while others require the winner’s name and hometown to be made public. For example, New Jersey allows winners to remain anonymous, providing an added layer of privacy for those who prefer to keep their winnings confidential.
Upcoming Drawings and How to Watch
The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday night at approximately 10 p.m. CT. The Powerball drawing will take place on Wednesday night. Both drawings can be watched live on YouTube, allowing players to see the results in real-time.
As the excitement builds for these upcoming lottery drawings, players across the country are eagerly purchasing tickets and dreaming of what they would do with a life-changing jackpot. Whether you play Mega Millions, Powerball, or both, the potential for a massive payout is within reach. Good luck to all participants!
