Mega Millions winning numbers for March 22. Jackpot nears $1 billion
You might just end up winning close to $1 billion tonight.
The Mega Millions lottery jackpot was an estimated $977 million with a cash option of $461 million for Friday night's drawing, according to the Mega Millions website.
The jackpot is the sixth largest Mega Millions ever and the 11th largest U.S. lottery history (see lists below).
The jackpot was last won on Dec. 8 when two California tickets sold at same location split $394 million Mega Millions jackpot.
Meanwhile, the Powerball jackpot is at $750 million with a cash option of $360.8 million, according to the Powerball website.
The winning numbers were drawn around 11 p.m. EST and we have the results below.
Powerball: Jackpot reaches $750 million
Mega Millions winning numbers for March 22, 2024
Here are the Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, March 22, 2024: 3 - 8 - 31 - 35 - 44 and Megaball 16
Megaplier was 3x
Mega Millions hits $1.1 billion: What to know and could you be the next billionaire?
Did anyone win the Mega Millions jackpot?
There were no jackpot winners for Friday March 22. There were five Match 5 winners from California, Florida, Illinois, Nebraska and Texas. The next jackpot is now set for $1.1 billion ($525.8 million cash value) for Tuesday, March 26.
To view the list of past winners, visit the Mega Millions website.
When is the next Mega Millions drawing?
After tonight's drawing the next Mega Millions drawing is Tuesday, March 26. Drawings are held at 11 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday.
How late can you buy a Mega Millions ticket in New York?
In New York, in-store and online ticket sales are available until 10 p.m. on the night of the draw. Mega Millions costs $2 to play. In New Jersey and Connecticut you can purchase a ticket until 10:45 p.m. the night of the draw.
What's the Megaplier?
The Megaplier feature increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four or five times. It costs an extra $1 per play. The Megaplier is drawn on Tuesday and Friday before the Mega Millions drawing. The pool includes 15 balls. Five are marked with 2X, six with 3X, three with 4X and one with 5X.
What are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots of all-time?
$1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023: Won in Florida
$1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
$1.348 billion, Jan. 13, 2023: Won in Maine
$1.337 billion: July 29, 2022: Won in Illinois
$1.1 billion, March 23, 2024:
$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
What are the Mega Millions prizes?
Match 5 White Balls + Mega Ball: JackpotMatch 5
White Balls: $1 million
Match 4 White Balls + Mega Ball: $10,000
Match 4 White Balls: $500
Match 3 White Balls + Mega Ball: $200
Match 3 White Balls: $10
Match 2 White Balls + Mega Ball: $10
Match 1 White Ball + Mega Ball: $4
Match Mega Ball: $2
What are the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot?
The odds of matching the five white balls and Mega Ball to win the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350.
What happens if I win the jackpot?
A jackpot winner has the option of taking an annuity or cash payment.
The annuity is paid out as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments, according to the Mega Millions website. Each payment is 5% bigger than the previous one.
"This helps protect winners’ lifestyle and purchasing power in periods of inflation," according to the Mega Millions website.
The cash option is a one-time, lump-sum payment that is equal to all the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool.
If two or more people win the jackpot in the same drawing, the money is shared equally among all winning tickets.
How to play the Mega Millions
In order to purchase a ticket, you'll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store − and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online.
To play, you will need to pick six numbers. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball is one number between 1 and 25.
If you believe the odds are against you, ask for a "Quick Pick" or an "Easy Pick," the computer will randomly generate the numbers for you.
Players can add the "Megaplier" for $1, which can increase non-grand prize winnings by two, three, four or five times. The Megaplier is drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesday and Friday.
There are 15 Megapiler balls in all:
2X, five balls
3X, six balls
4X, three balls
5X, one ball
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Winning numbers for March 22, 2024 Mega Millions
