As the Mega Millions jackpot tops $1 billion for the third time in history, all eyes will be on Friday’s draw.
Mega Millions, one of the two major lottery games in the United States, gives players from 45 different states and several other US territories a chance to win big jackpots, and this week’s game does not no exception, ranking in the top five. prizes ever awarded if a lucky winner matches the numbers in the game.
Here’s what you need to know about the next Mega Millions draw:
When is the drawing?
Draws for Mega Millions take place every Tuesday and Friday night at 10 p.m. Central Time.
What is the jackpot?
The jackpot continues to grow as officials raised the huge prize to $1.28 billion on Friday, just hours before the next draw.
The estimated $1.28 billion prize is for players who obtain their winnings through an annuity, paid annually over 29 years. Almost all of the winners choose the cash option, which for Friday’s draw is estimated at $747.2 million.
How do you win?
Mega Millions players can either have five numbers randomly generated for them or choose their own five numbers between 1 and 70, as well as a sixth number, a “Mega Ball”.
If a player matches their five numbers and the “Mega Ball”, they will walk away with the drawing jackpot.
Of course, the jackpot is not the only prize available in the game.
If a player matches all five numbers but not the “Mega Ball”, they would win $1 million, officials say.
Matching four numbers plus the “Mega Ball” would net the player $10,000. Matching four numbers without the “Mega Ball” would net the player a $500 prize.
Matching three numbers and the “Mega Ball” is worth $200.
Matching three numbers, or matching two numbers and the “Mega Ball”, will win the player $10.
Matching a number and the “Mega Ball” is worth $4, and matching the “Mega Ball” is worth a prize of $2.
Illinois players also have the option of adding a $1 “Megaplier” to their $2 ticket. This would double the value of any non-jackpot prize, including matching all five draw numbers.
What are the odds of winning?
According to officials, the odds of matching all five numbers and the “Mega Ball” number are 1 in 303 million.
By comparison, by some estimates, you have a 1 in 9 million chance of being struck by lightning twice.
Where does this jackpot rank among the biggest ever?
The giant jackpot of $1.28 billion remains the third biggest prize in the country and is the result of 29 consecutive draws with no one matching all six numbers in the game. Millions was April 15.
The only larger prizes were all worth at least $1 billion, including the record jackpot of nearly $1.6 billion in a January 2016 Powerball draw.
The October 2018 ($1.5 billion) and January 2021 ($1 billion) Mega Millions draws are the only two other jackpots to surpass the $1 billion mark.
How can I buy tickets?
Tickets are $2 and can be purchased at thousands of retailers across Illinois and Indiana.
Locally, the Illinois Lottery website and app also allow players to purchase tickets online.
What if no one wins?
If no one wins the Mega Millions jackpot on Friday night, lottery officials expect the prize to rise to $1.7 billion for the next draw on Tuesday, making it the biggest lottery prize in the world. country.