The Mega Millions Jackpot Soars to $1.55 Billion, Largest in History
August 5, 2023, 12:40 AM ET
• 3 min read
The Mega Millions jackpot is expected to reach a staggering $1.55 billion in the next drawing, making it the largest jackpot in the history of the lottery. This smashes the previous record of $1.537 billion set in October 2018.
Unfortunately, no one purchased a winning ticket with the numbers 11, 30, 45, 52, 56, and the gold Mega Ball 20 on Friday night, leaving the massive jackpot up for grabs.
For Tuesday’s drawing, the cash option for the jackpot is estimated to be an impressive $757.2 million.
The jackpot had already reached an estimated $1.35 billion ahead of Friday’s drawing, which would have been the second-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever and the fourth-largest in the history of American lotteries when considering Powerball jackpots.
A potential $1.55 billion jackpot would only be surpassed by two other U.S. lottery drawings: a $1.586 billion Powerball in January 2016 and a $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot in November 2022.
Since its last win on April 18, the Mega Millions jackpot has been continuously growing, with Friday’s drawing marking the 31st in this current winning streak.
Georgia Lottery President and CEO Gretchen Corbin, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, commented on the excitement surrounding the rising jackpot. “There’s always an air of excitement around the country when Mega Millions jackpots soar,” said Corbin in a statement. “The growing jackpot is a source of entertainment and winnings for players while generating important dollars for the good causes supported by each lottery. We are grateful for our players, appreciate our hardworking retailers, and remind everyone to play responsibly.”
To claim the jackpot, players must match all five numbers, plus the Mega Ball number. The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350.
In the past, there have been four $1 billion Mega Millions jackpots won in 2018, 2021, 2022, and January 2023.
Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with tickets priced at $2 for one play.
As the jackpot continues to climb and create excitement across the nation, players eagerly await the next drawing in the hopes of becoming the lucky winner of the largest Mega Millions jackpot in history.