$257 MILLION: Mega Millions jackpot expands

Nov 30, 2013, 3:38 am (164 comments)

Mega Millions

Largest jackpot in 20 months

By Todd Northrop

The last time the multi-state Mega Millions jackpot was this big, it was busy setting the record for the largest lottery jackpot in history.

After nobody won Friday night's grand prize, the Mega Millions jackpot grew to an estimated $257 million — the largest since the record-setting $656 million jackpot set on March 30, 2012.

The lump-sum cash value stands at a staggering $139.2 million.

Tuesday's Mega Millions jackpot is the accumulation of 17 consecutive drawings without a top prize winner. The current jackpot run-up started on October 4 as a $12 million grand prize — it has been two months since Mega Millions has had a jackpot winner.

Players should note that jackpot amounts are conservative estimates provided by the lotteries, and are often somewhat higher by the time the drawing occurs. Occasionally the official jackpot estimate is raised even before the drawing, due to larger-than-expected sales.

In Friday night's Mega Millions drawing, there was no jackpot winner, but 1 lucky player from Kentucky matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize.

The Kentucky winner did not purchase their ticket with the Megaplier option for an extra $1 per play.  If they had, their prize would have been increased to $4 million, because the Megaplier number drawn was 4.

Also, a total of 44 tickets matched four of the first five numbers plus the Mega Ball to win a $5,000 prize. Of those tickets, 6 were sold in California, where the prize awarded this drawing is $5,744.

The Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, November 29, 2013, were 9, 41, 43, 47, and 57, with Mega Ball number 5. The Megaplier number was 4.

Following the Friday drawing, the Mega Millions annuity jackpot estimate was raised $27 million from its previous amount of $230 million. The cash value was raised by $14.1 million, from its previous amount of $125.1 million.

Mega Millions is currently offered for sale in 43 states, plus Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 pm Eastern Time. Tickets cost $1 each.

A 44th Mega Millions state may be added in early 2014, as the state of Wyoming has approved a new state lottery with the intention of joining multi-state lottery games. (See Wyoming officially becomes 44th state with a lottery, Lottery Post, Mar. 14, 2013.)

The Mega Millions winning numbers are published at USA Mega (www.usamega.com) minutes after the drawing takes place.

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

whiteballz's avatarwhiteballz

I'm still waiting a few more drawings until I jump in. It's the state lottery for me until then. The jackpot is less with the state lottery but it has better odds.

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Skeptical  Hmmmmmmph  ....... 7 draws till Xmas should reach a most curious size by then

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

With those odds, the MM gave people what they want. Bigger jackpots that nobody can win.

Slick Nick's avatarSlick Nick

The fever is on!!!Stretch  Even for the non-number, occasional  players , ya gottta take a chance!Smash

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Nov 30, 2013

With those odds, the MM gave people what they want. Bigger jackpots that nobody can win.

hehehe

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

The Kentucky winner did not purchase their ticket with the Megaplier option for an extra $1 per play.  If they had, their prize would have been increased to $4 million, because the Megaplier number drawn was 4.

 

WOW i bet that they regret that nowChair

$1.00 more people give it up I Agree!

 

Congrats to the KY WINNERParty

peppy007

Quote: Originally posted by hearsetrax on Nov 30, 2013

Skeptical  Hmmmmmmph  ....... 7 draws till Xmas should reach a most curious size by then

Yesss. My prediction of a billion dollar jackpot before the end of the year is still alive lol.

Teddi's avatarTeddi

Does anyone know, are the odds for MM the worst for any major lottery game out there? LOL. Not whining. Just curious. If any other lottery game in existence has similar odds to MM and what the average JP wins have been. Once every 6 months? Once per year? For instance, almost all PB JP wins occur within a 2 month period. Occasionally it goes to 3 months or so but that's a rarity. Just wondering what we should expect to see for the MM JP. 

Drum Would be great to see a Christmas win for this. But at these odds, perhpaps 4th of July is more likely.

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

Woo Hoo!

Cool

Very nice Jackpot for Tuesday!

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by whiteballz on Nov 30, 2013

I'm still waiting a few more drawings until I jump in. It's the state lottery for me until then. The jackpot is less with the state lottery but it has better odds.

I'd gladly take the JP from the state's 6/49 game w/odds of 1 in a little less than 14 mil.

right now it has a cash value of 7.9 mils. even w our onerous state tax of 10.8% and fed tax @ 39% you'd still about 3.6 mils,

all in need to retire.

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by Teddi on Nov 30, 2013

Does anyone know, are the odds for MM the worst for any major lottery game out there? LOL. Not whining. Just curious. If any other lottery game in existence has similar odds to MM and what the average JP wins have been. Once every 6 months? Once per year? For instance, almost all PB JP wins occur within a 2 month period. Occasionally it goes to 3 months or so but that's a rarity. Just wondering what we should expect to see for the MM JP. 

Drum Would be great to see a Christmas win for this. But at these odds, perhpaps 4th of July is more likely.

No it isn't when you consider its overall odds of winning something.  I've played it twice buying a $5 ticket each time and won something both times.   Granted, the first time I won $1 and last night I won $2 but there are games with better odds of winning the jackpot that I've spend $10 on and won nothing.

I think it's the overall odds of winning something that going to keep players interested inspite of the odds being unlikely that they will ever win the jackpot.

billionaire2bee

What would be super awesome is that someone would wake up on Christmas day, check their numbers and found out they've won...what could be better....hmmm waking up a week later on New Years day and realizing you hit the jackpot....What an awesome way to start the New Year LOL

mightwin's avatarmightwin

Keep on rollin...........

CutlassBob's avatarCutlassBob

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Nov 30, 2013

With those odds, the MM gave people what they want. Bigger jackpots that nobody can win.

I agree maringoman. 

The Mega sign at the store states it a 1 in 15 chance to win. That is incorrect, it should read you have a i in 15 chance to break even. It cost a dollar per ticket, if you played one pick and had the Mega ball you would get your dollar back. No win. 

If you look at the odds on the Mega website the odds are different than the advertisement in the store. 

http://www.megamillions.com/how-to-play

I believe it will take a miracle if anyone wins. Yes i will play, i do believe in miracles.

Good Luck to ya.

P.S. Remember it's not a win unless you receive more than you played. If you got 10 ez picks and had the mega ball twice, you lost $8.00. Simple math. Don't fool yourself or you will bet more than you can afford. Just sayin'

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