Mega Millions jackpot one of largest in history as Powerball prize reaches $201m

TUESDAY’s Mega Millions jackpot has grown to one of the largest in its history as tonight’s Powerball drawing winner could take home $201million.

In fact, the jackpot, $565million or a cash prize of $293.6million, is now the sixth-largest largest prize in the game’s 20-year history.

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In a weekend news release, Mega Millions announced: “As we move past Christmas, the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever offered in the last week of any calendar year is set for Tuesday, December 27.

“The estimated prize jumps to $565 million ($293.6 million cash) after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Friday night – the white balls 15, 21, 32, 38 and 62, plus the gold Mega Ball 8.

“If the jackpot is won on Tuesday, it would be the sixth largest prize in the history of the game!”

The jackpot has been growing since two tickets sold in California and Florida won a shared $502million prize on October 14.

“In the 20 drawings since then, there have been more than 15 million winning tickets at all prize levels, including 35 worth $1 million or more,” Mega Millions explained.

“Those big prizes have been won in 18 different states from coast to coast: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.”

The top five Mega Millions jackpots to date are $1.537billion in October 2018, $1.337billion in July 2022, $1.050billion in January 2021, $656million in March 2012, and $648million in December 2013.

The Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11pm EST.

In order to win the jackpot, players must match all six numbers to the winning numbers that are drawn.

According to the Mega Millions website, players have a 1 in 302,575,350 chance of winning the jackpot.

However, there are smaller prizes available ranging from $2 to $1million for those who match some numbers.

More information about playing instructions and prizes can be found here.

Meanwhile, Monday night’s Powerball drawing winner could win a whopping $201million prize, with a cash value of $105million.

Each drawing is broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59pm ET from the Florida Lottery studio in Tallahassee.

Players select five numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26.

Players can multiply non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times with the Power Play option for an additional $1 per play.

According to the Powerball Lottery website, the overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9 and the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2million.

The Powerball jackpot has more money added to it until someone wins it.

If you happen to win tonight’s jackpot, winners of the prize have a wide range of days when they may collect their winnings.

Depending on your state, tickets typically expire anywhere from 90 days to one year.

The expiration date is often listed on the back of your ticket.

All unclaimed prizes are kept by the lottery jurisdiction.