Mega Millions becomes the sixth lottery jackpot to surpass $1 billion
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For the fourth time in nearly four years, the Mega Millions jackpot has surpassed one billion dollars.
After no ticket matches all six numbers drawn on Friday – the white balls 3, 20, 46, 59 and 63, plus the golden Mega Ball 13 – the jackpot for the next draw on Tuesday, January 10 is currently estimated at $1 1 billion ($568.7 million in cash).
It is now the fourth largest lottery prize in US history:
- $2.04 Billion: Powerball, 2022
- $1.58 Billion: Powerball, 2016
- $1.53B: Mega Millions, 2018
- $1.33B: Mega Millions, 2022
- $1.05B: Mega Millions, 2021
Jackpots have soared in recent years after Powerball and Mega Millions have added more draws, meaning more tickets are sold.
“Mega Millions just hit the $1 billion mark again. It’s especially great to see the jackpot grow over the holidays and into the New Year,” Ohio lottery director Pat McDonald, principal director of the Mega Millions consortium, said in a statement.
Most states allow Powerball and Mega Millions winners to claim anonymously, although there is a lack of transparency about winners due to politics.
“We are grateful for the support of our customers and retailers,” McDonald added, “which enables each of our 47 member lotteries to generate funds for good causes within their jurisdiction. As the jackpot grows, we encourage our players to stick to their entertainment budget and enjoy this jackpot with us.
The only Mega Millions jackpots above Tuesday’s estimated $1.1 billion are the game’s record $1.537 billion won in South Carolina on October 23, 2018, and $1.337 billion won in Illinois on July 29, 2022. Powerball still holds the top two seats.
Five tickets in the Mega Millions draw on 6 January came extremely close to winning the entire jackpot. Those tickets matched the five white balls to win the game’s $1 million tier prize. Two were sold in New York and one each in Florida, Maryland and New Jersey.
Across the country, 115 tickets matched four white balls plus the Mega Ball to win the tier three prize. Fifteen tickets are worth $30,000 each because they included the optional Megaplier (available in most states with an extra $1 purchase), which was 3x on a Friday night. The other 100 tier 3 winning tickets are worth $10,000 each.
