The Mega Millions jackpot has surged to an eye-watering $875 million, making it one of the largest in the history of the game, after no players managed to clinch the grand prize in Friday's draw. The anticipation continues to build, with hopeful participants setting their sights on the next drawing, slated for Tuesday.
Friday night's draw, which featured the numbers 13, 25, 50, 51, and 66, with a Mega Ball of 6, left players nationwide in suspense as the grand prize remained unclaimed. Despite the lack of a jackpot winner, a fortunate player from New York did secure a $1 million second-tier prize by matching all five white balls, bringing a glimmer of hope to those participating in the lottery.
The upcoming Tuesday draw promises players a chance at the staggering $875 million jackpot, which comes with a $413.5 million cash option. Many winners opt for this lump-sum payment, which is distributed immediately, rather than the annuity option that is paid out in 29 annual installments following an initial payment.
Mega Millions, a game that challenges players with odds of 1 in 302,575,350 for winning the grand prize, has not seen a jackpot winner since December 8. On that occasion, two fortunate ticket holders in California shared a $395 million prize. The record for the largest Mega Millions jackpot stands at $1.602 billion, won by a single ticket in Florida on August 8, 2023, setting a global record for the largest lottery prize ever won on a single ticket.
The current jackpot ranks as the sixth-largest in the game's history, adding to the excitement and anticipation among players across the United States. Mega Millions is played in 45 states, as well as in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, offering widespread opportunities for hopeful participants to try their luck.
As the next draw approaches, players are reminded that the deadline for purchasing tickets is 9:45 p.m. on the night of the draw. With the jackpot continuing to grow and no winners in the last 28 consecutive drawings, lottery enthusiasts and casual players alike are eagerly awaiting the chance to become the next Mega Millions millionaire, or possibly even billionaire.
