The Mega Millions lottery jackpot has reached an astonishing $1.35 billion, with the winning numbers for Friday night’s draw being announced as 11-30-45-52-56, with a Mega Ball of 20. If there is a winning ticket, it would be the second-highest jackpot ever for the multistate lottery, according to officials.
The cash payout for the jackpot would amount to $659.5 million, before applicable taxes. This massive jackpot comes after 30 consecutive draws without a big winner, as stated in a news release on the Mega Millions website. The last time someone matched all six numbers was on April 18.
Mega Millions history has seen four awarded jackpots surpassing $1 billion, with the highest being $1.537 billion won in South Carolina in 2018. Another jackpot in January was worth $1.348 billion. The excitement for this massive jackpot has swept across the 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands where Mega Millions tickets are sold.
In comparison, last month a Powerball ticket sold at a convenience store in Los Angeles matched all numbers to win an impressive $1.08 billion, making it the third-largest Powerball jackpot.
Friday’s Mega Millions drawing is set for 11 p.m. ET, and lottery enthusiasts across the nation eagerly await the results to see if this staggering jackpot will be won or continue to grow.