Mega Millions drawings won't go home until someone wins
Posted: 2/20/2004 9:07:42 AM
Tonight's $222 million Mega Millions drawing will be broadcast live from Times Square in New York City, and Mega Millions drawings will continue to originate from Times Square until the Mega Millions jackpot is won, according to Michigan Lottery officials.
Mega Millions drawings normally run 45 seconds in length, but will be extended to 60 seconds for the special drawing(s) being held in Times Square.
The Georgia Lottery said the 11 participating states decided to move the drawing to New York's Times Square as a way of adding "more fun and excitement" for players.
It'll be held inside the ABC studios in Times Square -- with network affiliates expected to carry the drawing live.
Mega Millions drawings -- held every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11:00 p.m. -- are regularly conducted in Atlanta, Georgia. Once the record Mega Millions jackpot is won, drawings will return to the regularly scheduled length of time and location.
Mega Millions features nine different prize levels, ranging from $2 all the way up to the jackpot. In the most recent drawing, more than 1.3 million tickets won prizes, including 27 tickets that each won Mega Millions' second highest prize of $175,000. Players can win even if they just match one number -- the Mega Ball number.
Source: Lottery Post Staff
