$206 MILLION: Mega Million lottery jackpot soars

Dec 24, 2011, 7:47 am (82 comments)

Mega Millions

By Todd Northrop

Last-minute shoppers can potentially give the gift of a $206 million jackpot this Christmas, because the Mega Millions multi-state lottery game did not produce a winner Friday night.

Lottery players across the United States are buying their Mega Millions tickets in preparation for Tuesday's massive $206 million drawing.

The cash value stands at a staggering $151.9 million.  Lottery players typically think of the cash value as roughly half of the annuity estimate, but this Mega Millions cash value represents 73% of the annuity estimate.

Tuesday's Mega Millions jackpot is the accumulation of 15 consecutive drawings without a top prize winner.  The current jackpot run-up started on Nov. 4 as a $12 million grand prize.

Players should note that jackpot amounts are conservative estimates provided by the lotteries, and are often somewhat higher by the time the drawing occurs.

In the latest Mega Millions drawing that took place Friday night, there was no jackpot winner, but 31 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $250,000 prize: 5 from California, 1 from Connecticut, 1 from Georgia, 1 from Illinois, 1 from Indiana, 3 from Massachusetts, 3 from New Jersey, 5 from New York, 3 from Ohio, 2 from Tennessee, 3 from Texas, 1 from Virginia, 1 from Washington, and 1 from Wisconsin.

The 5 California winners will each be awarded prizes of $155,663, because California awards all prizes with a pari-mutuel formula, which calculates the prize amount based on the number of tickets sold and the number of winners in each prize category. All the other Mega Millions states award fixed amounts for all non-jackpot prizes.

Following the Friday drawing, the Mega Millions annuity jackpot estimate was raised $33 million from its previous amount of $173 million. The cash value was raised by $22.4 million, from its previous amount of $129.5 million.

The next Mega Millions drawing will take place Tuesday evening at 11:00 pm Eastern Time.

Mega Millions is currently offered for sale in 42 states, plus Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The latest state to join Mega Millions, Louisiana, became the 42nd Mega Millions state during the current jackpot run-up, on Nov. 16.

For a complete set of game descriptions, results, history, and all questions regarding Mega Millions, lottery players are encouraged to visit USA Mega (www.usamega.com), a Web site devoted to the Unites States's two multi-state lottery games, Powerball and Mega Millions.

The Mega Millions winning number will be published at USA Mega Tuesay night, minutes after the drawing takes place.

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Piaceri

Nice roll!  Good luck to all lottery players for next Tuesday's drawing! I think I'll buy my tickets early this round. White Bounce

OldSchoolPa's avatarOldSchoolPa

All I want for Christmas is $151.9 million!!!  That would be such a great Christmas and birthday gift for me (yep I am a Christmas baby!)!!!  How about it Mega Millions numbers?  Can you show me some love and give me a wonderful gift?  I thank you in advance!!!

foragoodcause's avatarforagoodcause

One million will make me very happy for Chrismas

louise black

BananaSo much money , hope someone win that will share like meBig Grin I would Thudbefore I could do anything so much money a good way to start the New Year!.Oh!what a great way to end an terrible year.Well good luck everyone and that's what it will be luck. Big Grin SantaMERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Roll Eyes without even checking the ticket I bought last night .....  I knew it was a fool's errand but I was 3/4s convinced  that this might be the one

me thinks am gonna put off getting anymore tickets till after the 1st of the year

 

Cheers heres to 2012 and the first major jackpot of the new year and the lucky winner/s Cheers

TheRightPrice

Yes, can some one explain to me why the MM Cash Option is always more than the PB Cash Option when they are at the same jackpot amount?

Oogle

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

Happy New Year !  Dance

LottoGuyBC's avatarLottoGuyBC

 the gift of a $206 million  White Bounce

Big Grin Santa

Cletu$2's avatarCletu$2

I'm greedy.I'll settle for nothing less than the whole jackpot!

KSplayer's avatarKSplayer

Merry Christmas Big Grin Santa and good luck to everyone!

PrisonerSix

I'm hoping to be Louisiana's first MegaMillions jackpot winner and a jackpot like this would be great for that!

kapla

Quote: Originally posted by Cletu$2 on Dec 24, 2011

I'm greedy.I'll settle for nothing less than the whole jackpot!

NOT ME!! Will take the $600 I hit last night, 3+ mega ball with Megaplier!!! Dance

APOBABOY

I think Santa gonna stop by my house and give me my Christmas present this year..Hurray!...Go Niners.

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

Anyone that does not think that 35% tax on this jackpot is enough is full of the Greed of Childish Socialist Envy! Happy New Year!

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