Mega Millions numbers for Friday, March 31, jackpot climbs to $385 million

Jennifer Sangalang, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·6 min read

There were no instant multimillionaires, courtesy of Mega Millions.

The lottery rolled over again after no winning tickets were sold in the Friday, March 31, drawing. Not long after the winning numbers were revealed for the $355 million jackpot, the grand prize climbed $30 million.

Here's a snapshot of recent drawings and how much the jackpot has climbed (in so short a time):

  • Friday, March 10: $203 million

  • Tuesday, March 14: $229 million

  • Friday, March 17: $254 million

  • Tuesday, March 21: $272 million

  • Friday, March 24: $302 million

  • Tuesday, March 28: $322 million

  • Friday, March 31: $355 million

  • Tuesday, April 4, $385 million

The drawing hasn’t seen a multimillion-dollar winner since Feb. 3. Ticket sales have increased with the rising jackpot; the cash option grew to $203.8 million.

Here are the numbers for Friday, March 31: 16-26-27-42-61 and the Mega Ball was 23. The Megaplier was 4.

In case you're wondering, here are the Tuesday, March 28, numbers: 2-3-18-32-68 and the Mega Ball was 24. The Megaplier was 4.

What were the numbers? This combination of 6 numbers won $185.3 million on Valentine's Day 2022

A big February winner! The ticket for the $747 million Powerball jackpot was sold in Washington

Mega Millions drawings are held at 11 p.m. EST Tuesdays and Fridays.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Mega Millions, Powerball and lottery odds.

In case you want to play: Playing Mega Millions drawing in Florida? Here's what to know

Top 10 lottery jackpots: Powerball, Mega Millions' biggest prizes, Who won and where winning tickets were bought

Still a big winner! Jensen Beach man wins $1M prize from Mega Millions ticket bought at Cumberland Farms

What we know about big winners: Lotto jackpots have surpassed $1 billion six times.

How much was the Mega Millions lottery jackpot for March 31?

$355 million with a cash option of $188.8 million

Do you have friggatriskaidekaphobia? If $1.1 billion Mega Millions jackpot rolls over, next chance to win is Friday the 13th

How long has Mega Millions rolled over?

This Mega Millions jackpot has rolled over since Feb. 3. Before that, one ticket purchased in Massachusetts in the Jan. 31 drawing claimed $31 million. Interestingly, the jackpot has rolled over two holidays − Valentine's Day, which, let's be honest, would have made an amazing Valentine's Day gift for your sweetie, family member or your pal (more on Valentine's Day below); and St. Patrick's Day, the luckiest of all holidays.

What are the odds of winning Mega Millions?

According to the Mega Millions website, you have a 1 in 302,575,350 chance to match all five white balls plus the gold Mega Ball. Prizes range from $2 (for matching the Mega Ball) to the grand prize jackpot, which varies.

What are the odds of winning Powerball?

Powerball drawings are held at 11 p.m. EST Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. According to Powerball.com, players have a 1 in 292.2 million chance to match all six numbers. Prizes range from $2 to the grand prize jackpot, which varies.

Can Florida lottery winners remain anonymous?

According to Florida Lottery's website, winners cannot remain anonymous: "Florida law mandates that the Florida Lottery provide records containing information such as the winner's name, city of residence; game won, date won, and amount won to any third party who requests the information."

However, the site states, since May 25, 2022, the "names of lottery winners claiming prizes of $250,000 or greater will be temporarily exempt from public disclosure for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed, unless otherwise waived by the winner."

Lottery experts and lawyers have said there are ways to remain anonymous if you win.

What is the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history?

The largest lottery prize ever climbed to $2.04 billion in November. The jackpot was an estimated $1.9 billion days before the drawing, but lottery ticket sales helped it grow to more than $2 billion after updated calculations. A single ticket purchased in California won the grand prize, and the winner was revealed on Valentine's Day − Feb. 14, 2023.

When did lotto jackpots hit $1 billion or more?

As of March 31, 2023, there have been six lottery jackpots that have surpassed $1 billion. Half of the prizes were won (but not necessarily claimed) in January.

  • 6. $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021: A single ticket won in Michigan.

  • 5. $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: A single ticket won in Illinois.

  • 5. $1.35 billion, Jan. 13, 2023: A single ticket was purchased in Maine.

  • 3. $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: A single ticket won in South Carolina.

  • 2. $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016: Three tickets won from California, Florida, Tennessee.

  • 1. $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022: A single ticket won in California.

What are the Top 10 largest Mega Millions jackpots ever?

According to its website, here are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots as of March 31, 2023:

  • 10. $522 million — June 7, 2019; California

  • 9. $533 million — March 30, 2018; New Jersey

  • 8. $536 million — July 8, 2016; Indiana

  • 7. $543 million — July 24, 2018; California

  • 6. $648 million — Dec. 17, 2013; California and Georgia

  • 5. $656 million — March 30, 2012; Illinois, Kansas and Maryland

  • 4. $1.05 billion — Jan. 22, 2021; Michigan

  • 3. $1.337 billion — July 29, 2022; Illinois

  • 2. $1.35 billion — Jan. 13, 2023; Maine

  • 1. $1.537 billion — Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina

What are the Top 10 largest Powerball jackpots ever?

Here are the Top 10 Powerball jackpots as of March 31, 2023:

  • 10. $590.5 million — May 18, 2013; Florida

  • 9. $632.6 million — Jan. 5, 2022; California and Wisconsin

  • 8. $687.8 million — Oct. 27, 2018; Iowa and New York

  • 7. $699.8 million — Oct. 4, 2021; California

  • 6. $731.1 million — Jan. 20, 2021; Maryland

  • 5. $754.6 million — Feb. 6, 2023; Washington

  • 4. $758.7 million — Aug. 23, 2017; Massachusetts

  • 3. $768.4 million — March 27, 2019; Wisconsin

  • 2. $1.586 billion — Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida and Tennessee

  • 1. $2.04 billion — Nov. 7, 2022; California

What are the Top 10 largest lottery jackpots ever?

The following Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots made the Top 10 biggest lottery jackpots in U.S. history, as of March 31, 2023.

  • 10. $731.1 million Powerball drawing — Jan. 20, 2021; Maryland

  • 9. $754.6 million Powerball drawing — Feb. 6, 2023; Washington

  • 8. $758.7 million Powerball drawing — Aug. 23, 2017; Massachusetts

  • 7. $768.4 million Powerball drawing — March 27, 2019; Wisconsin

  • 6. $1.05 billion Mega Millions drawing — Jan. 22, 2021; Michigan

  • 5. $1.337 billion Mega Millions drawing — July 29, 2022; Illinois

  • 4. $1.35 billion Mega Millions drawing — Jan. 13, 2023; Maine

  • 3. $1.537 billion Mega Millions drawing — Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina

  • 2. $1.586 billion Powerball drawing — Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida and Tennessee

  • 1. $2.04 billion Powerball drawing — Nov. 7, 2022; California

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Sangalang is a Florida Audience Team lead producer and social media champ. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byjensangalang.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Mega Millions drawing: Here are numbers for Friday, March 31, 2023