$363 MILLION: Mega Millions lottery jackpot raised due to heavy sales

Mar 26, 2012, 12:56 pm (421 comments)

Mega Millions

By Todd Northrop

Mega Millions lottery players across the United States are pulling out the stops for the Tuesday evening drawing, which now stands as the largest Mega Millions grand prize in more than a year.

The estimated jackpot of the March 27, 2012, Mega Millions drawing was raised Monday from $356 million to $363 million because of heavier than expected sales in all Mega Millions states.

Likewise, the lump-sum cash value of the massive grand prize was raised to $259.8 million, an increase of $4.7 million from the initial estimate made early Saturday morning.

In fact, one could argue that the Tuesday Mega Millions jackpot is the largest in history, due to the fact that the cash value is higher than any other lottery drawing ... ever.

Lottery players seeking to check the winning numbers Tuesday night are urged to use USA Mega (www.usamega.com).  State lottery Web sites are normally brought to a standstill during busy periods, while USA Mega normally remains responsive.

Mega Millions drawing results will be posted immediately after the 11:00 pm drawing at USA Mega.   The number of winners and new jackpot will be announced after all participating Mega Millions states have reported their data, which normally occurs within a couple of hours after the drawing.

Tickets will remain on sale typically until 10:45 pm Eastern Time on Tuesday, although players should check with a lottery retailer in their state for the exact sales cutoff time.  Players are advised not to wait until the last minute.

If the jackpot is not won on Tuesday, the Friday jackpot will certainly become the largest lottery jackpot in history — for both its annuity and cash values.

The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 176 million. The odds of winning any of the Mega Millions prizes are approximately 1 in 40.

Mega Millions features nine different prize levels, ranging from $2 all the way up to the jackpot.  Players can win even if they just match one number — the Mega Ball number.

All states except California also offer the Megaplier option for an extra dollar per ticket purchased.  The Megaplier multiplies any non-jackpot prizes won by 2, 3, or 4 times, depending on the Megaplier number drawn that evening. 

Players who purchase the Megaplier and win second prize will automatically have their prize increased by 4x to $1 million.

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

rad242

Sniff Sniff - I smell MONEY!

Grovel's avatarGrovel

i spent 40 this time. hope i get something.

NoShame's avatarNoShame

I won't be surprised if someone hits it tommorrow with all the sales but man it would be so awesome to hit a new record.

LET IT ROLL!!!  Banana

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Grovel on Mar 26, 2012

i spent 40 this time. hope i get something.

Playing the lottery is a WIN or LOSE situation no matter how many tickets we buy.  I am buying 1 Quick Pick Ticket.

Grovel's avatarGrovel

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Mar 26, 2012

Playing the lottery is a WIN or LOSE situation no matter how many tickets we buy.  I am buying 1 Quick Pick Ticket.

Well, good for you.

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

1 Ticket ................ 1 Winner!

Dance

Roll Baby Roll ................. all the way to the 'Dale ..........

no UAW cars for me

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

$363 Million Woo HooHurray! bring on the fever!!!!!!

KSplayer's avatarKSplayer

Quote: Originally posted by dallascowboyfan on Mar 26, 2012

$363 Million Woo HooHurray! bring on the fever!!!!!!

Party

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Quote: Originally posted by dallascowboyfan on Mar 26, 2012

$363 Million Woo HooHurray! bring on the fever!!!!!!

Two Hundred Fifty Nine Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars In Cash   Thud    UNBELIEVABLE !!!

Lucky SOB

i thought it would be worh more.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Grovel on Mar 26, 2012

Well, good for you.

THE LOTTERY 50/50 RULE= BUYING 1 LOTTERY TICKET GIVES YOU A 50/50 CHANCE OF WINNING. Playing the lottery is a WIN or LOSE situation no matter how many tickets we buy.

GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY.

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

In Pennsylvania you will get a $195,000,000 Thud wire transfer ............... after you mitigate the remaining 10% Federal Tax Obligation ............ you pay no more taxes here! Drum

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Quote: Originally posted by CDanaT on Mar 26, 2012

Two Hundred Fifty Nine Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars In Cash   Thud    UNBELIEVABLE !!!

I know it's CRAZY CDanaT!!!!! sure is going to look good in my account!!!!!Wink

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

DP...does that mean you get 10 % and the "CEO" gets the rest ????   ROFL

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