Lottery Jackpots Surge: Mega Millions Hits $197 Million

NEW YORK, NY — The Mega Millions jackpot has skyrocketed to an estimated $197 million for the upcoming Friday night drawing after no winners emerged from Tuesday’s draw. The cash option for the jackpot is set at $92.4 million.

The winning numbers from the previous drawing were drawn late on Tuesday, igniting excitement among lottery players. The most recent big winner in Mega Millions was from Arizona, who won a stunning $113 million jackpot.

Since the inception of the game in 2002, only four tickets have matched all six Mega Millions numbers this year, marking the lowest number of jackpots won in a single year thus far.

The Mega Millions drawing takes place every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. Players can purchase tickets at various locations including gas stations and grocery stores, or they can opt for online purchases in many U.S. states and territories through digital platforms such as the Jackpocket app.

To participate, players select five numbers from 1 to 70 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 25 for the gold Mega Ball. The game also features a “Megaplier” option, which can be added for an extra dollar, increasing non-jackpot prizes by two to five times.

Players hoping to cash in on the jackpot should beware that the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are approximately 302,575,350 to 1, while the odds of matching all five white balls are 12,607,306 to 1.

The annuity option for jackpot winners provides a series of payments over 30 years, while a cash option is available for a lump sum payout, significantly lower than the advertised jackpot. Additionally, some states allow winners to remain anonymous, enhancing privacy for those lucky enough to claim large prizes.

Tickets for the drawing can be purchased until roughly 15 minutes before the draw time, depending on local regulations. Players are encouraged to check with local lottery offices for specific deadlines and purchase guidelines.

As excitement builds around the Mega Millions drawing, many players will be eagerly awaiting the results.