Mega Millions Jackpot Continues to Grow
The Mega Millions jackpot is on the rise again. After a lucky winner in Illinois claimed the jackpot at the beginning of June, the prize money for the upcoming Tuesday draw has reached a staggering $226 million. If the winner opts for the cash option, the payout would be $106.9 million. This jackpot is set to be one of the largest in recent months, making it an exciting time for lottery enthusiasts.
Details of the Next Drawing
The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET. Winning this jackpot would make it 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 Mega Millions Tickets
Mega Millions tickets are available in 45 states. However, they are not available in Alabama, Alaska, Hawai’i, Nevada, and Utah. Tickets can also be purchased in the District of Columbia and the U.S. 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 the District of Columbia, tickets can be bought online by registering with local lotteries.
Powerball Jackpot Details
The Powerball jackpot is also climbing. 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 (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 Powerball Drawing
The next Powerball drawing is held three times per week on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at approximately 10:59 p.m. ET. With the jackpot now standing at an estimated $865 million with a cash value of $416.1 million, the excitement is palpable. The odds of winning big are slim despite rising lotto numbers, but the potential payout makes it worth a try for many.
Lottery Trends and Historical Context
Lottery jackpots hitting $1 billion have become more common in recent years. It was only in the last few years that lottery jackpots began reaching $1 billion. Since 2016, there have been 10 jackpots in the U.S. that exceeded $1 billion between Mega Millions and Powerball. Four of these occurred just last year. The highest lottery jackpot was in November 2022 when Powerball hit $2.04 billion. This was the second jackpot over $1 billion that year.
Recent Winning Numbers and Major Wins
The winning numbers for Powerball on Monday, March 25, 2024, were: 7, 11, 19, 53, and 68 with a Powerball of 23. The Power Play was 2X. No one matched all six numbers to win the Powerball jackpot on March 25, but two tickets (one in Florida and one in New York) matched five numbers except for the Powerball, each winning a $1 million prize. The last Mega Millions jackpot over $1 billion was seven months ago ($1.58 billion ticket sold in Florida on August 8). The last Powerball jackpot over $1 billion was six months ago ($1.765 billion ticket sold in California on October 11).
How to Play Mega Millions and Powerball
Each Mega Millions ticket costs $2. Players can add the Megaplier for an additional $1 to increase non-jackpot prizes up to five times. Players select five numbers from a pool of numbers ranging from 1 to 70 (white balls) and one number from a pool of numbers ranging from 1 to 25 (Mega Ball). For Powerball, tickets can be purchased at local convenience stores, gas stations, or grocery stores. Some states also offer online purchases. Players pick six numbers (five white numbers ranging from 1 to 69 and one red Powerball number between 1 and 26). Adding the Power Play for $1 can increase non-grand prize winnings by up to ten times.
Odds of Winning and Payout Options
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are approximately one in over three hundred million (302,575,350-to-one). The odds of matching all five white balls are approximately one in twelve million (12,607,306-to-one). For Powerball, the odds of winning the jackpot are also slim, but the potential payout makes it worth a try for many. Winners can choose between an annuity or a lump-sum cash payment. The annuity option involves an immediate payment followed by annual payments over time, increasing by five percent each year for twenty-nine years. The cash option is a lump sum payment significantly lower than the advertised jackpot amount but paid immediately.
Where to Check Winning Numbers
Winning numbers for both Mega Millions and Powerball can be checked on their respective websites. Drawings are held twice per week for Mega Millions at approximately 11 p.m. ET every Tuesday and Friday. Powerball drawings are held three times per week on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at approximately 10:59 p.m. ET. They can also be watched via YouTube.
Conclusion
With the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots continuing to grow, the excitement among lottery enthusiasts is palpable. The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET, with a jackpot of $226 million. The next Powerball drawing is held three times per week, with the current jackpot standing at $865 million. Despite the slim odds of winning, the potential payout makes it worth a try for many. Be sure to purchase your tickets and check the winning numbers on the respective websites. Good luck!
