Mega Millions jackpot tops $1 billion; Oklahomans join flood of ticket buyers
No one matched all six numbers to win the top prize in Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing, allowing the cash prize to grow to more than $1 billion for those buying tickets for the next drawing.
No big winner, but several smaller prize payouts
While no one won the big prize, nine people across the country did take home prizes for matching five of the six numbers. Eight players won $1 million and a ninth winner takes home $3 million for matching the five numbers with the multiplier.
Tuesday's numbers were: 07-29-60-63-66, Mega Ball: 15.
None of Tuesday's winners were from Oklahoma, but hailed from six other states. Mega Millions is played in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The game is coordinated by state lotteries.
More:$830 million Mega Millions jackpot entices Oklahomans to try their luck
What happens to the big prize now?
The top prize will likely continue to grow until the next drawing takes place.
The jackpot has grown so large because no one has matched the game's six selected numbers since April 15. That's 29 consecutive drawings without a big winner.
The new estimated jackpot for Friday's drawing will be the nation's fourth-largest lottery prize. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302.5 million.
High prize leads to increases in ticket sales in Oklahoma
As the Mega Millions prize rises, more Oklahomans are taking a chance on winning some serious cash, according to the Oklahoma Lottery Commission.
"We are definitely seeing an uptick in sales. It's been quite popular for several weeks now, but when it gets this high, it definitely starts to go up quite a bit," said Abby Morgan, director of marketing and product development.
If a single person has the six matching numbers, they take the prize. The $1.02 billion prize is for winners who choose the annuity option, paid annually over 30 years. Most winners opt for the cash option, which for the next drawing Friday night is an estimated $602.5 million.
"There is a chance that more than one person could have the winning numbers, that's happened quite a bit in the past," she said. "Especially when the jackpot gets this high and sales are so large."
Oklahoma has almost 2,000 retailers for lottery tickets, including several with self-service kiosks, Morgan said. With multiple winners the jackpot is shared and each person has the choice between an annuitized payout or a singular lump sum payment.
Ahead of Tuesday's drawing, several Oklahomans at a Domino Convenience store in Shawnee shared what they might do upon winning.
One woman, a teacher, who asked not to be named, said she'd pay off her bills and "then maybe go on a cruise." She also said she'd be just fine with being one of several winners with the prize as large as it is.
Another ticket buyer, who asked not to be named, said he would “disappear,” if he won.
“I mean, you’d have friends and family coming out of the woodwork, so that’s what I would do,” he said.
The two players will have to try their luck again in Friday's drawing.
Meanwhile for Paula Robbins, who purchased tickets from the lottery kiosk in the store, her ticket is good for six more draws thanks to a feature that allows players to buy a single ticket for multiple dates.
Robbins said the prospect of winning means a chance to give back in a way she can't currently and help both animals and people in her community.
“I would help all of the people around here," she said. "I would love to put in a homeless shelter; we need a good one."
Tickets for the next drawing can be bought until 8:59 p.m. on Friday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Mega Millions lottery tops $1 billion; Oklahomans keep buying tickets
