Mega Millions jackpot increases to $1.58 billion for Tuesday drawing. Here's how to play
The Mega Millions jackpot is the largest ever and still growing.
The jackpot was originally estimated at $1.55 billion but has increased to $1.58 billion, the Mega Millions announced on Tuesday. The cash option will be $783.3 million.
Tuesday's jackpot eclipses the previous Mega Millions record of $1.537 billion, won in 2018.
The jackpot is the third-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever, trailing only two Powerball jackpots that reached $2.04 billion in 2022 and $1.586 billion in 2016 (see charts below).
“It’s entertaining for our players, and all of us, to see the Mega Millions jackpot roll to what looks like an all-time game record,” said Georgia Lottery President and CEO Gretchen Corbin, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium. “As jackpot fever continues to sweep the nation, we remind everyone to play responsibly."
The jackpot was last won on April 18, when someone in East Syracuse, New York, won a $20 million jackpot, and it was also won on April 14, when a lottery player in Ozone Park, New York, won a $483 million jackpot.
Looking for an edge? These Mega Millions numbers are drawn the most
When is the next Mega Millions drawing?
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.
More: 'It still doesn’t feel real' - New York man claims $476M Mega Millions jackpot
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 of a particular state where you purchase your ticket.
Lucky? These are the states with the most Mega Millions jackpot winners
How many balls do I need to match for the 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.
Beware: No, a lottery jackpot winner isn't giving you money. How to spot a scammer
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.
NJ lottery: Where does all the ticket sales money go?
What is the deadline for buying 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.
You hit the lottery! Here are 5 cheap states to buy a home and live off your winnings
The 8/4/23 winning Mega Millions numbers
Here are the Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, Aug. 4, 2023:
11 - 30 - 45 - 52 - 56 and Megaball 20
Megaplier was 2x
Did anyone win Tuesday's Mega Millions?
While no one won the jackpot, there are nine new millionaires out there who matched all five white balls. Tickets sold in Michigan and Tennessee had the Megaplier to win $2 million, while tickets from Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas all won $1 million.
New Jersey Online lottery tickets sold by NJ could be an option for players next year
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.
Unlucky? Here are 13 crazy things more likely to happen than winning the lottery
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:
$1.58 billion: Aug. 8, 2023:
$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: 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 the largest US 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
$1.58 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023:
$1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
$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 record $1.58 billion for Tuesday, 8/8/23
