The winning ticket for the $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot was sold in New Jersey, marking the first time this year that all numbers were matched for the grand prize. This was the fifth largest jackpot ever won by Mega Millions players, with the winning numbers being 7, 11, 22, 29, 38, and Mega Ball 4. The estimated lump sum payment for the jackpot was $537.5 million before taxes, with winners having the option of taking a lump sum or receiving annual installments over 30 years. Mega Millions drawings are held on Tuesday and Friday nights, with Powerball drawings taking place on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights.
The largest Mega Millions jackpot ever was $1.602 billion, won in Florida in August of last year, while the largest U.S. lottery jackpot was a $2.04 billion Powerball prize won in California in February of 2023. The odds of winning a Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24, with the odds of hitting the jackpot being 1 in 302,575,350. The next Mega Millions drawing will have an estimated jackpot of $20 million, which is the starting point for the jackpot series. Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a standard ticket costing $2 and additional bonuses available for extra fees to increase non-jackpot prizes.
This win marks the end of more than three months without a jackpot winner, with 31 drawings passing since the last winning ticket was sold in California on Dec. 8. Powerball had an estimated jackpot of $865 million as of Tuesday night, offering more opportunities for players to win big prizes. To win a Mega Millions jackpot, players must match all five white balls plus the yellow Mega Ball, with smaller prizes available for matching some but not all numbers. It was the eighth largest jackpot in U.S. lottery history, highlighting the excitement and anticipation that surrounds these high-stakes drawings.
The excitement and anticipation surrounding Mega Millions and Powerball drawings continue to captivate players across the country, with millions of people hoping to strike it rich with a winning ticket. The chance to win such large sums of money can be a life-changing event for the lucky individuals who hold the winning numbers. As these lottery jackpots continue to grow, the allure of becoming an instant millionaire or billionaire draws more and more participants eager to test their luck and see if they can hit the jackpot. The next Mega Millions drawing is sure to attract a wide range of players hoping to be the next big winner.
