Mega Millions Jackpot Soars to $820 Million After No Winner in Latest Drawing
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Mega Millions players are eagerly awaiting the next drawing after the jackpot soared to an estimated $820 million. The massive increase comes after no ticket matched all the numbers in the latest drawing on Friday night, pushing the top prize even higher.
The winning numbers for the Friday drawing were 29, 40, 47, 50, 57, and the gold Mega Ball 25. Unfortunately, no tickets were sold with all the winning numbers, resulting in the estimated grand prize of $720 million going unclaimed.
The next drawing, scheduled for Tuesday night, will offer an astounding $820 million. However, this prize will only be distributed to a winner who chooses an annuity paid over 29 years. If the winner prefers a cash payout, they can expect an estimated sum of $422 million for Tuesday’s drawing.
Mega Millions stated that this potential jackpot is the fifth largest in the history of the game. Despite the odds being 1 in 302.6 million, players continue to purchase tickets as the size of the grand prize continues to grow.
The last time a Mega Millions player won the top prize was on April 18, reflecting the challenging nature of the game. However, Friday’s drawing did result in eight tickets matching five white balls, which earned the lucky winners a $1 million prize each. Two tickets were sold in Florida, New Jersey, and North Carolina, with one each in California and Michigan.
In addition to the excitement of the Mega Millions jackpot, the Powerball game has also been reaching near-record levels. However, a small store in downtown Los Angeles ended the speculation by selling the winning ticket for Wednesday’s drawing, worth an astonishing estimated $1.08 billion.
Mega Millions is a popular multi-state game played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As the jackpot continues to climb, more individuals are joining in the pursuit of their dreams, hoping to strike it rich.