Mega Millions jackpot skyrockets to over $1 billion

The Mega Millions jackpot has reached a new high of $1.1 billion following the Friday night draw, where nobody emerged as a winner.

“Mega Millions has just reached the $1 billion mark again. It’s especially nice to see the jackpot grow throughout the holidays and into the new year,” commented Ohio Lottery Director Pat McDonald, who leads the Mega Millions consortium.

The combination drawn on Friday night included the gold Mega Ball 13 and the following numbers: 3-20-46-59-63. It was the 24th drawing in a row where no ticket had the six lucky numbers needed to win the jackpot.

McDonalds also thanked the patrons of the US lottery and noted that due to their participation, they are able to raise money for charitable causes within their respective areas.

“We are thankful for the support of our customers and retailers, which allows each of our 47 member lotteries to generate funds for good causes within their jurisdiction,” McDonald said.

“As the jackpot grows, we encourage our players to keep within their entertainment budget and enjoy this jackpot run right along with us,”

The Mega Millions jackpot for the game’s drawing on Tuesday, January 10, is worth $1.1 billion, making it the fifth-richest lottery sum in US history. It is the third-largest Mega Millions prize ever awarded.

“In more than 20 years since the game began in 2002, there have been just three larger jackpots than Friday’s estimated prize,” the Mega Millions said in a news release.”

The 10 largest Mega Millions Powerball jackpots won in U.S. lottery history are as follows:

• $2.04 billion Powerball, on November 7, 2022 (1 ticket from California)
• $1.586 billion Powerball on January 13, 2016 (three tickets, from Florida, California, and Tennessee)
• $1.537 billion Mega Millions, on October 23, 2018 (one ticket from South Carolina)
• $1.337 billion Mega Millions, on July 29, 2022 (a ticket from Illinois)
• $1.05 billion Mega Millions, on January 22, 2021 (a ticket from Michigan)
• $768.4 million Powerball, on March 27, 2019 (a ticket from Wisconsin)
• $758.7 million Powerball, on August 23, 2017 (one ticket, from Massachusetts)
• $731.1 million Powerball, on January 20, 2021 (a ticket from Maryland)
• $699.8 million Powerball on October 4, 2021 (one ticket from California)
• $687.8 million Powerball on October 27, 2018 (two tickets from New York and Iowa

Mega Millions tickets cost $2 apiece, and for an extra $1, players can add the Megaplier for the opportunity to increase non-jackpot prizes. There are also Mega Millions drawings every Tuesday and Friday. In addition to the District of Columbia, tickets are also sold in the U.S. Virgin Islands and 45 other states.

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