Mega Millions jackpot soars to $1.35 billion for Friday drawing - now second largest ever
The Mega Millions jackpot just keeps on growing and growing
After no one matched all six balls in Tuesday night's drawing, the jackpot was estimated at $1.25 billion for Friday night's drawing. However, on Friday morning, Mega Millions announced the grand prize was now up to $1.35 billion based on increased sales. The cash option is up to $659.5 million.
It is now the second largest Mega Millions ever and fourth largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever (see charts below).
“There’s always an air of excitement around the country when Mega Millions jackpots soar,” said Georgia Lottery President and CEO Gretchen Corbin, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium. “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.”
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While no one became a billionaire Tuesday, seven lottery players matched all five white balls to win big prizes.
A ticket sold in Texas had the Megaplier to win $4 million, while tickets sold in Massachusetts, North Carolina, New York and Wisconsin won $1 million each. Two tickets sold in California won $650,579 because second-tier prizes in the state are based on sales in California.
The jackpot was last won on April 18 when someone in East Syracuse, New York won a $20 million jackpot and was also won on April 14 when a lottery player in Ozone Park, New York won a $483 million jackpot.
The Mega Millions winning numbers drawn on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 were: 8 - 24 - 30 - 45 - 61 and Megaball 12. The Megaplier was 4x
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When is next Mega Millions drawing?
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.
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How do I play Mega Millions?
The cost is $2 per ticket, but you can add the Megaplier for $1, which will increase the amount of your potential prize up to five times the original prize (except for the jackpot).
Each player selects five numbers from 1 to 70 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 25 for the Mega Ball. However, you can also have the lottery machine generate a random Quick Pick for you. You don't need to be a U.S. citizen or a resident a particular state where you purchase your ticket.
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How late can I buy Mega Millions tickets?
The deadline for purchasing a Mega Millions ticket varies by state so don't wait until the last minute. It can be 15 minutes to an hour or more before the actual drawing. For some third-party lottery apps, the deadline can be closer to two hours before the drawing. For example, Jackpocket in New Jersey has a deadline of 9:15 p.m. for the 11 p.m. ET drawing.
Click here to check the deadline for where you live.
How many balls do I need to match for Mega Millions prize?
You can win $2 for the matching just one - the Mega Ball. Short of the jackpot, you can win up to $1 million for matching all five white balls (except in California). You can check all the prize payouts on the Mega Millions site here.
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Where can I play Mega Millions?
You can play the game in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The states not offering Mega Millions are: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.
Many grocery stores, gas stations and convenience stores sell lottery tickets. Some states allow Mega Millions tickets to be purchased online, but beware of scam websites. Check with your state lottery for more details.
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What are my odds of winning the lottery?
Playing the Mega Millions can be exciting, but just don't go spending those millions before you win.
The odds of winning the jackpot are 302,575,350-to-1. The odds to match all five white balls are 12,607,306-to-1.
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What does cash option mean?
The major lotteries in the United States offer two jackpot payout options: annuity and cash.
The annuity option is paid out over time. There is an immediate payment and then 29 annual payments after that, increasing by 5% each year. The cash option is significantly lower than the advertised jackpot, but it is paid in a lump sum. You don't have to wait decades for all the money.
Can a jackpot winner remain anonymous?
In some states, like New Jersey, you can win a lottery anonymously. That wasn't always the case, but now winners are able to stay anonymous under a law that was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy. In other states, a winner's name and hometown are a matter of public record. Check with your state lottery for more information.
What are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots?
Here are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots ever:
$1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
$1.35 billion: Aug. 4, 2023:
$1.348 billion, Jan. 13, 2023: Won in Maine
$1.337 billion: July 29, 2022: Illinois
$1.05 billion, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
$656 million, March 30, 2012: Three winners in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
$648 million, Dec. 17, 2013: Two winners in California, Georgia
$543 million, July 24, 2018: Won in California
$536 million, July 8, 20116: Won in Indiana
$533 million: March 30, 2018: Won in New Jersey
What was largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever?
Here's a look at the top jackpots won in the United States, between the Powerball and the Mega Millions lotteries:
$2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022: California
$1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee
$1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
$1.35 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 4, 2023:
$1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2022: Won in Maine
$1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: Illinois
$1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023: Won in California
$1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
$768.4 million, Powerball, March 27, 2019: Won in Wisconsin
$758.7 million, Powerball, Aug. 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts
$754.6 million, Powerball: Feb. 6, 2023: Won in Washington
$730 million,, Powerball, Jan. 20, 2021: Won in Maryland
$699.8 million, Powerball, Oct. 4, 2021: Won in California
$687.8 million, Powerball, Oct. 27, 2018: Two winners in Iowa, New York
$656 million, Mega Millions, March 30, 2012: Three winners in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
$648 million, Mega Millions, Dec. 17, 2013: Two winners in California, Georgia
$632.6 million, Powerball, Jan. 5, 2022: Two winner in California, Wisconsin
$590.5 million, Powerball, May 18, 2013: Won in Florida
$587.5 million, Powerball, Nov. 28, 2012: Two winner in Arizona, Missouri
$564.1 million, Powerball, Feb. 11, 2015: Three winners in North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Mega Millions jackpot hits $1.35 billion for Friday, Aug. 4, 2023
