Mega Millions jackpot increased to $1.28B for Friday's drawing

You have to do more than dream -- you have to actually buy a ticket for a chance to win the $1.28 billion Mega Millions jackpot. Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin spoke live Friday on 11 News at Noon to announce the increase of the Mega Millions jackpot to $1.28 billion for Friday night's drawing, which you can watch live on WBAL-TV at 11 p.m. "The Mega Millions directors met and -- sales have been very, very strong -- have agreed to increase tonight's jackpot from $1.1 billion to $1.8 billion," Martin told 11 News. "Tonight's cash value is $747.2 million, and after taxes, that's a nice $500 million." The increase would make this the second-highest Mega Millions jackpot in history and the third-highest overall lottery jackpot in history, passing the $1.05 billion Mega Millions drawing from January 2021.