Mega Millions Jackpot Soars to $522 Million: Next Drawing Details and How to Play

Mega Millions Jackpot Reaches New Heights

The Mega Millions jackpot has reached an estimated $522 million as of early Wednesday, May 29. This increase follows another drawing without a grand prize winner. The winning numbers for Tuesday night’s drawing were 12, 18, 48, 57, 62, and the Mega Ball number was 4. The “megaplier” for this drawing was times five. Despite the lack of a grand prize winner, twelve people nationwide won $50,000 from the drawing. No first or second prize tickets matched the winning numbers in this drawing.

Next Mega Millions Drawing Details

The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Friday, May 31, at 10 p.m. ET. Drawings are held twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. ET. You can watch the next drawing live on NBC 3 News at 11 p.m. ET. The jackpot has been growing since a ticket in New Jersey matched all the numbers to win more than $1 billion during the March 26, 2024 drawing.

How to Play Mega Millions

Playing Mega Millions is simple. To participate, you need to select six numbers. The first five numbers are chosen from a range of 1 to 70 (white balls), and the last number is selected from 1 to 25 (golden Mega Ball). If you prefer not to choose your own numbers, you can use the Easy Pick or Quick Pick option for random number generation. Each play costs $2. For an additional $1, players can add the Megaplier to potentially increase their winnings outside of the jackpot.

Winning Criteria and Payouts

To win the Mega Millions jackpot, you need to match all six numbers. However, there are other ways to win smaller prizes. Matching one number (the Mega Ball) wins a prize of $2. Matching two numbers does not win anything unless one is the Mega Ball; this combination wins $4. For a complete list of payout information, visit www.megamillions.com.

Previous Drawing Results

In the previous drawing held on Friday, May 24, there were no jackpot winners. However, there was one Match 5 winner in California and one Match 5 + Megaplier winner in Texas. The winning numbers for that drawing were 46, 54, 56, 67, 70, and the Mega Ball was 16. The Megaplier for that drawing was 3X. The jackpot for that drawing was $453 million.

Powerball Jackpot Information

In addition to the Mega Millions jackpot, the Powerball jackpot is also on the rise. The current Powerball jackpot is estimated to be worth $143 million, with a cash option of $66.8 million. The winning numbers for Monday night’s drawing were 9, 30, 39, 49, and the Powerball is 21. The Power Play was 5X. The jackpot continued to rise after no one matched all six numbers from Monday night’s drawing.

Ticket Purchase Deadlines by State

If you are planning to participate in the next Mega Millions drawing, it is important to know the ticket purchase deadlines by state. In Delaware, tickets can be purchased until 9:45 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, tickets can be purchased until 9:59 p.m. ET. For online ticket purchase options, you can visit www.pailottery.com/games/draw-games/ for Pennsylvania and njlotto.com for New Jersey.

Largest Mega Millions Jackpot

The largest Mega Millions jackpot in history was won on March 26, 2024, when a ticket in New Jersey matched all the numbers to win more than $1 billion. This record-breaking jackpot has set a high bar for future drawings, and the current jackpot of $522 million is steadily climbing towards that mark.

How Many Mega Millions Winning Numbers Needed to Win a Prize?

In the Mega Millions lottery, you only need to match one number to win a prize if it is the Mega Ball. This will earn you a $2 prize. Matching two numbers won’t win anything unless one of them is the Mega Ball, in which case the prize is $4. The more numbers you match, the higher the prize, with the jackpot being the ultimate goal for matching all six numbers.

Additional Information and Resources

For more information on how to play and the various payouts, you can visit the official Mega Millions website at www.megamillions.com. The site provides detailed instructions on how to play, the cost of tickets, and the different ways to win. You can also find information on the top all-time Mega Millions jackpots and a list of winners from previous drawings.

Conclusion

The excitement surrounding the Mega Millions lottery continues to grow as the jackpot reaches new heights. With the next drawing scheduled for Friday, May 31, at 10 p.m. ET, players have another chance to win big. Whether you choose your own numbers or opt for the Easy Pick option, the thrill of potentially winning a life-changing amount of money is undeniable. Make sure to purchase your tickets before the deadline and tune in to NBC 3 News at 11 p.m. ET to watch the drawing live. Good luck!