Mega Millions Jackpot Reaches $181 Million After No Winners

PEORIA, Ill. — The Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to an estimated $181 million for the upcoming drawing on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, after no tickets matched all six numbers in the previous drawing.

The numbers drawn on February 21 were 1, 13, 28, 37, 46, with a Mega Ball of 10. The Megaplier for this drawing was 2X, but no one won the jackpot, resulting in the substantial increase for the next drawing.

The latest cash option for winners, should someone match all six numbers, stands at $82.7 million. This sizable jackpot is indicative of the lottery’s increasing popularity as players vie for a chance to become instant millionaires.

In fact, the Mega Millions jackpot has rolled over nine times since its reset in January, making the odds of winning 1 in 302,575,350. Tickets are available for purchase at a price of $2 each, and participants may add the Megaplier option for an additional $1 to increase non-jackpot prizes.

Lottery enthusiasts are reminded that the next drawing occurs at 11 p.m. ET every Tuesday and Friday. As part of the game, matching the Mega Ball alone can yield a prize of $2, while matching up to four white balls can lead to substantial payouts.

“This has been an interesting series of drawings, and we can only imagine the excitement building among players as the jackpot grows,” said Chris Sims, a digital content producer for Midwest Connect Gannett. “With each rollover, the anticipation adds to the thrill of the game.

The Mega Millions has recently been in the news for record-setting jackpots. The most significant Mega Millions payout occurred on August 8, 2023, totaling $1.58 billion. Other notable jackpots reaching over the billion-dollar mark include amounts won in South Carolina, Maine, and California.

As it stands, winners have the option to receive their prize in a lump-sum cash payment or an annuity, which is distributed in 30 payments over 29 years, increasing by 5% annually. Many choose the lump-sum option for immediate capital, but the annuity can protect against inflation.

In the previous drawing, while no one won the jackpot, several other players did win smaller amounts. Notably, at least 25 tickets matched some numbers, sharing lesser prizes in the thousands. Reports indicate that one ticket holder won $20,000 by also selecting the Megaplier.

For individuals interested in participating in the Mega Millions, tickets can be acquired from retailers including gas stations, convenience stores, and select grocery outlets. In some states, including Michigan and New York, online purchasing options are available until shortly before the drawing time.

As players prepare for the upcoming drawing, they are encouraged to remember the odds and play responsibly.