Title: Mega Millions Jackpot Rises to $285 Million for Friday Night’s Drawing
The Mega Millions lottery jackpot is reaching new heights, with an estimated prize of $285 million up for grabs in the upcoming drawing on Friday night. For those who prefer the cash option, a significant sum of $134.7 million awaits the lucky winner.
It has been over a month since the last Mega Millions jackpot was won on December 8th, 2023. The massive $394 million prize was split between two fortunate ticket holders in California. Since then, anticipation has been building among players across the nation as the jackpot continues to climb.
Meanwhile, the Powerball lottery is also offering an attractive jackpot of $164 million, with a cash option worth $79.1 million. This provides lottery enthusiasts with yet another chance to fulfill their dreams of striking it rich.
The winning Mega Millions numbers for the most recent drawing on January 26, 2024, were revealed as 14, 31, 34, 50, 61, and the Megaball number 13. Additionally, the Megaplier value for that drawing was 3x, offering even more excitement for participants.
As avid lottery players know, Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. Eager participants are required to pay $2 per ticket, and they have the option to spend an additional $1 for the Megaplier feature. The game involves selecting five numbers from a range of 1 to 70 for the white balls, while the Mega Ball requires choosing one number between 1 and 25.
The prizes awarded in Mega Millions can vary significantly, ranging from $2 for matching just the Mega Ball to an impressive $1 million for correctly matching all five white balls (excluding California). This nationwide lottery is available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, it cannot be played in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.
To participate, lottery tickets can be purchased from various locations such as gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and even select airport terminals. In addition, certain states offer the convenience of ordering tickets online through platforms like Jackpocket.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that the deadline for purchasing a Mega Millions ticket may vary depending on the state. Therefore, it is advisable not to wait until the last minute to secure a chance at winning this grand prize.
The odds of securing the Mega Millions jackpot are estimated to be 302,575,350-to-1, a challenge that only a fortunate few conquer. Matching all five white balls, on the other hand, holds odds of 12,607,306-to-1. These staggering figures underline the incredible luck required to become a jackpot winner.
In the United States, major lotteries like Mega Millions and Powerball offer winners two options for receiving their payouts: annuity or cash. While some states allow winners to remain anonymous, others require their names and hometowns to be made public.
For those curious about the all-time record-breaking jackpots in Mega Millions, the top 10 are provided on the Poh Diaries website. Furthermore, the largest lottery jackpot ever won in the United States is also highlighted, capturing the attention and imagination of aspiring winners nationwide.
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