Tonight's Mega Millions jackpot jumps to $940 million. Everything you need to know to play
Tonight's Mega Millions prize just got even bigger!
The jackpot for Friday night's drawing grew to $940 million because of increased sales nationwide, according to the Mega Millions website. The cash option will be $472.5 million.
It is the fifth largest Mega Millions and the eighth largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever (see charts below).
The jackpot has been building since it 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.
“Don’t miss out on this opportunity for your chances at this big jackpots,” said New Jersey Lottery Executive Director James Carey. “Anything can happen in Jersey! You only need one ticket to play the game.”
Looking to get in on the action? Here's everything you need to know:
What time is the Mega Millions drawing?
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.
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What is 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 for a list every state and jurisdiction's deadline for buying Mega Millions tickets.
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Can I watch the Mega Millions live?
The Mega Millions website does not carry the drawing live like the Powerball, but it does post the video on its YouTube channel following the drawing.
Local broadcast networks may carry the drawing in your area. In the Metro New York area, WABC-TV New York carries the drawing live before the 11 o'clock news and on its website. Click here.
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.
More: 'It still doesn’t feel real' - New York man claims $476M Mega Millions jackpot
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.
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 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
$1.348 billion, Jan. 13, 2023: Won in Maine
$1.337 billion: July 29, 2022: Illinois
$1.05 billion, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
$940 million, July 25, 2023:
$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 that were 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
$1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023: 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
$940 million, Mega Millions, July 25, 2023:
$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 jumps to $940 million for Friday, July 28
