Excitement Builds as Mega Millions Hits $800 Million

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Updated on: October 8, 2024 9:55 pm GMT

Mega Millions Jackpot Climbs to $800 Million After No Grand Prize Winner

As summer transitions to fall, lottery players across the United States are buzzing with excitement and anticipation. The Mega Millions jackpot has skyrocketed to an impressive $800 million for the upcoming drawing, which is set to take place on Tuesday night at 11 p.m. ET. This staggering amount comes after Friday’s drawing yielded no grand prize winner, leaving participants eager to look their luck against the odds.

Recent Draw Results and Winners

In the drawing held on Friday, the winning numbers were 6, 23, 41, 59, and 63, with the gold Mega Ball being 25. While no one secured the jackpot, a total of six players matched five numbers, earning $1 million each. Additionally, another 49 players matched four numbers and the Mega Ball, with most of those winning $10,000, while 10 lucky ticket holders benefitted from the Megaplier bonus, increasing their prize to $20,000.

Progressive Jackpot Growth

The current $800 million jackpot is significant in the scope of Mega Millions history, marking it as the seventh-largest prize ever. Winners this year have already included a New Jersey player who claimed an astonishing $1.1 billion in March and an Illinois player who took home $560 million in June. Despite being fortunate enough to see two massive wins this year, Friday’s results left players looking forward to what may come next.

How to Play Mega Millions

If you’re interested in participating, purchasing a ticket is simple. Players choose five numbers, selected from a range of 1 to 70, and a gold Mega Ball from a pool of 1 to 25. For those who prefer a no-fuss option, “Quick Pick” or “Easy Pick” allows a computer to generate random numbers for you.

Where to Buy Tickets

Tickets can be obtained at various locations, including convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. Alternatively, players in select states are able to purchase tickets online through platforms like Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Eligible states for online purchases include:

Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Idaho
Maine
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Puerto Rico
Texas
Washington, D.C.
West Virginia

The Odds of Winning

While the size of the jackpot might entice many to try their luck, it’s essential to keep in mind the odds—at 1 in 302,575,350, winning the jackpot is a rare feat. Still, the thrill of the game draws players who dream of what they could do with such a life-changing sum.

Potential Payout Options

For winners, there are typically two ways to claim the prize: the annuity option, which provides the $800 million payout spread over 30 years, or a lump-sum cash payment, which is projected to be over $400 million after taxes. Many winners tend to choose the lump sum for immediate financial freedom.

Join the Mega Millions Craze

With the jackpot now at an astounding $800 million, the upcoming drawing is drawing attention nationwide. Will you join in on the excitement and test your luck at winning this colossal prize? As the countdown begins, players are encouraged to purchase their tickets before the 9:45 p.m. cutoff on Tuesday.

For regular updates and all the winning numbers, visit the official [Mega Millions website](https://www.megamillions.com).