“Record $1.55 Billion Mega Millions Jackpot Soars for Upcoming Tuesday Drawing”
In an exhilarating turn of events, the Mega Millions jackpot has skyrocketed to an astonishing $1.55 billion following Friday night’s drawing, which ended without a winner. The winning numbers for the recent drawing were 45, 30, 52, 56, 11, and the Mega Ball was 20.
For 31 consecutive drawings, no player has managed to claim the jackpot since the last win on April 18. The reason behind this challenging feat lies in the staggering odds of 1 in 302.6 million for matching all five white balls and the separate Mega Ball. Nevertheless, better odds apply to smaller prizes, which start at $2.
The immense $1.55 billion prize will be awarded to a sole winner over a span of 30 years through an annuity. Alternatively, winners can opt for a lump sum payout estimated at $757.2 million.
As with all lottery winnings, a significant portion will be subject to federal taxes, and additional state taxes may also apply depending on the winner’s location.
Mega Millions is actively played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The upcoming drawing on Tuesday night at 11 p.m. ET holds the potential to shatter records and create the largest jackpot in Mega Millions history. The current record stands at around $1.53 billion, won in South Carolina back in 2018.
With a vast and enthusiastic player base across the nation, many of whom are newcomers to the game, the probability of establishing a new record Mega Millions jackpot is high. Nonetheless, predicting jackpots at this level with absolute certainty remains a challenge, as stated by Mega Millions in a news release early Saturday. The winning numbers for Friday’s drawing were 11-30-45-52-56 with a Mega Ball of 20.
Although no one managed to hit the jackpot this time, several players still struck it rich. Seven tickets sold in Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas each won $1 million after matching the first five numbers. Additionally, two tickets sold in Michigan and Tennessee each secured $2 million by matching the first five numbers and activating the Megaplier option, available in most states with an extra $1 purchase, as confirmed by Mega Millions.
Since the last jackpot of $20 million was claimed in New York on April 18, the Mega Millions grand prize has been on a steady ascent. While the current jackpot sets the excitement ablaze, it falls short of the all-time record for the largest lottery jackpot, a staggering $2.04 billion Powerball prize claimed in California last year.