$297 MILLION: Mega Millions jackpot raised again before tonight's drawing

Dec 6, 2013, 5:14 pm (61 comments)

Mega Millions

By Todd Northrop

Across the United States, tickets for tonight's Mega Millions multi-state lottery drawing are being sold at a higher-than-expected rate, prompting the state lotteries to raise the official jackpot estimate to $297 million.

The lump-sum cash value of the Friday, December 6 jackpot is now $158.9 million.

As a result of the updated jackpot estimate, tonight's Mega Millions jackpot now stands as the 21st largest United States lottery jackpot of all time, and the 8th-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever.  The cash value holds the same 24th position as it did previously.  (See the complete list of top 25 annuity and cash jackpots below.)

"New Jersey loves to hand out winnings to its players," said Carole Hedinger, Executive Director of the New Jersey Lottery. "When the Mega Millions game enhancements were made back in October, they were designed to increase the number of players who would win prizes and allow the jackpots to climb higher, and that has proven to be effective."

The current jackpot has climbed to $297 million after 18 rolls.

Lottery players seeking to check the winning numbers Saturday night are urged to use USA Mega (www.usamega.com).  State lottery Web sites are normally sluggish or 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 states have reported their data, which normally occurs within a few hours after the drawing.

Tickets will remain on sale typically until 10:45 pm Eastern Time on Saturday, 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.

The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 259 million. The odds of winning any of the Mega Millions prizes are 1 in 14.7.

Mega Millions tickets cost $1 each.  For an extra $1 per ticket players can purchase the Megaplier option, which multiplies any non-jackpot won by up to 5 times, depending on the Megaplier number drawn that evening.

The only state that does not offer the Megaplier is California, because state law banning fixed lottery prize amounts is not compatible with the fixed nature of the Megaplier payouts.

Lottery players can see an after-tax analysis of the current Mega Millions jackpot by visiting USA Mega's Jackpot Analysis page.

Mega Millions features nine different prize levels, ranging from $1 all the way up to the jackpot. Players can win even if they just match one number — the Mega Ball number.

Top 25 United States lottery jackpots of all time

The increased jackpot for Friday's Mega Millions drawing has raised its position on the top-25 list to the 21st position.

  1. Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
  2. Powerball: $590.5 million, May 18, 2013 - Florida
  3. Powerball: $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012 - Arizona, Missouri
  4. Powerball: $448.4 million, Aug. 7, 2013 - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
  5. Powerball: $399.4 million, Sep. 18, 2013 - South Carolina
  6. Mega Millions: $390 million, Mar. 6, 2007 - Georgia, New Jersey
  7. Mega Millions: $380 million, Jan. 4, 2011 - Idaho, Washington
  8. Powerball: $365 million, Feb. 18, 2006 - Nebraska
  9. The Big Game: $363 million, May 9, 2000 - Illinois, Michigan
  10. Powerball: $340 million, Oct. 19, 2005 - Oregon
  11. Powerball: $338.3 million, Mar. 23, 2013 - New Jersey
  12. Powerball: $337 million, Aug. 15, 2012 - Michigan
  13. Powerball: $336.4 million, Feb. 11, 2012 - Rhode Island
  14. Mega Millions: $336 million, Aug. 28, 2009 - California, New York
  15. The Big Game: $331 million, Apr. 16, 2002 - Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey
  16. Mega Millions: $330 million, Aug. 31, 2007 - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
  17. Mega Millions: $319 million, Mar. 25, 2011 - New York
  18. Mega Millions: $315 million, Nov. 15, 2005 - California
  19. Powerball: $314.9 million, Dec. 26, 2002 - West Virgina
  20. Powerball: $314.3 million, Aug. 25, 2007 - Indiana
  21. Mega Millions: $297 million, Dec. 6, 2013 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
  22. Powerball: $295.7 million, Jul. 29, 1998 - Indiana
  23. Powerball: $295 million, Aug. 25, 2001 - Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire
  24. Mega Millions: $294 million, Jul. 2, 2004 - Massachusetts
  25. Powerball: $276.3 million, Mar. 15, 2008 - West Virgina

For those keeping score, the number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:

  • Mega Millions: 9
  • Powerball: 14
  • The Big Game: 2

The Big Game is the original name of Mega Millions, from the game's first drawing on Sep. 6, 1996 through May 14, 2002.  The name was changed to Mega Millions starting with the May 17, 2002 drawing.

Top 25 cash value jackpots

Since many lottery winners collect their winnings in cash, the lump-sum payout is an important measure of what a winning ticket could be worth.

Even though the cash value has increased, the Friday Mega Millions drawing holds firm to the 24th position on the all-time list of largest United States lottery cash values.

  1. Mega Millions: $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
  2. Powerball: $384.7 million cash, Nov. 28, 2012 ($587.5 million annuity) - Arizona, Missouri
  3. Powerball: $370.9 million cash, May 18, 2013 ($590.5 million annuity) - Florida
  4. Powerball: $258.2 million cash, Aug. 7, 2013 ($448.4 million annuity) - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
  5. Mega Millions: $240 million cash, Jan. 4, 2011 ($380 million annuity) - Idaho, Washington
  6. Mega Millions: $233.1 million cash, Mar. 6, 2007 ($390 million annuity) - Georgia, New Jersey
  7. Powerball: $224.7 million cash, Aug. 15, 2012 ($337 million annuity) - Michigan
  8. Powerball: $223.3 million cash, Sep. 18, 2013 ($399.4 million annuity) - South Carolina
  9. Mega Millions: $214 million cash, Aug. 28, 2009 ($336 million annuity) - California, New York
  10. Powerball: $211 million cash, Mar. 23, 2013 ($338.3 million annuity) - New Jersey
  11. Powerball: $210 million cash, Feb. 11, 2012 ($336.4 million annuity) - Rhode Island
  12. Mega Millions: $202.9 million cash, Mar. 25, 2011 ($319 million annuity) - New York
  13. Mega Millions: $194.4. million cash, Aug. 31, 2007 ($330 million annuity) - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
  14. Mega Millions: $185 million cash, Nov. 15, 2005 ($315 million annuity) - California
  15. The Big Game: $180 million cash, May 9, 2000 ($363 million annuity) - Illinois, Michigan
  16. Powerball: $177.3 million cash, Feb. 18, 2006 ($365 million annuity) - Nebraska
  17. Mega Millions: $168 million cash, July 2, 2004 ($294 million annuity) - Massachusetts
  18. Mega Millions: $167.7 million cash, Feb. 22, 2008 ($275 million annuity) - Georgia
  19. Powerball: $166 million cash, Aug. 25, 2001 ($295 million annuity) - Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire
  20. Mega Millions: $165.2 million cash, May 4, 2010 ($266 million annuity) - California
  21. Powerball: $164.4 million cash, won Oct. 19, 2005 ($340 million annuity) - Oregon
  22. Mega Millions: $164 million cash, Feb. 28, 2006 ($270 million annuity) - Ohio
  23. Powerball: $161.5 million cash, July 29, 1998 ($295.7 million annuity) - Indiana
  24. Mega Millions: $158.9 million cash, Dec. 6, 2013 ($297 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
  25. Mega Millions: $156.1 million cash, Sept. 16, 2005 ($258 million annuity) - New Jersey

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

DDOH937's avatarDDOH937

Like I've said. No winner by Christmas and we'll be certainly staring at our first Billion dollar pot. The Frenzy has started. Whoooopppeeee!!!!! In it to win it.

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by DDOH937 on Dec 6, 2013

Like I've said. No winner by Christmas and we'll be certainly staring at our first Billion dollar pot. The Frenzy has started. Whoooopppeeee!!!!! In it to win it.

Skepticalcuriouser and cusiouser

Justwinbaby

I pray everyone the best.

Kee12's avatarKee12

Lone ticket winnner emerging tonight?...... Banana

gocart1's avatargocart1

Quote: Originally posted by DDOH937 on Dec 6, 2013

Like I've said. No winner by Christmas and we'll be certainly staring at our first Billion dollar pot. The Frenzy has started. Whoooopppeeee!!!!! In it to win it.

WOOO heee

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

I'll take about $95,000,000 after Federal Redistribution!

It WILL be Christmas in December!

Noel

KY Floyd's avatarKY Floyd

Quote: Originally posted by DDOH937 on Dec 6, 2013

Like I've said. No winner by Christmas and we'll be certainly staring at our first Billion dollar pot. The Frenzy has started. Whoooopppeeee!!!!! In it to win it.

You set the bar pretty low if you think that's a frenzy.

The last time MM got this high was almost 2 years ago, in the run up to the record $656 jackpot. At that time the advertised jackpot was increased $49 million, from 241 to 290 million, compared to the current increase of $40 million. The actual cash value increase was more than $34 million, compared to the current increase of  about $21.5 million. If it rolls, maybe we'll see something approaching a real frenzy after they start advertising a jackpot that starts with a 3.

Unless sales really don't take off at all, rolling until the Tuesday before Christmas would probably take it to at least a billion. Rolling to the following Friday would certainly break the billion mark, and could well be considerably more. The current sales are small enough that a rollover is very likely, but another 4 or 5 rollovers is very unlikely, assuming we do see sales in the  $250 million range.

IamTheWinner

I want to see people in here win jackpot or atleast the second prize. Me MeUS FlagHurray!

WWWBUKTN

I hope I saved my luck for tonight as I had 8037 in the Illinoins mid day pick four (box & straigt) and it came in 3037.   Sad.

sully16's avatarsully16

Good luck everyone.Hurray!

Prob988

Quote: Originally posted by KY Floyd on Dec 6, 2013

You set the bar pretty low if you think that's a frenzy.

The last time MM got this high was almost 2 years ago, in the run up to the record $656 jackpot. At that time the advertised jackpot was increased $49 million, from 241 to 290 million, compared to the current increase of $40 million. The actual cash value increase was more than $34 million, compared to the current increase of  about $21.5 million. If it rolls, maybe we'll see something approaching a real frenzy after they start advertising a jackpot that starts with a 3.

Unless sales really don't take off at all, rolling until the Tuesday before Christmas would probably take it to at least a billion. Rolling to the following Friday would certainly break the billion mark, and could well be considerably more. The current sales are small enough that a rollover is very likely, but another 4 or 5 rollovers is very unlikely, assuming we do see sales in the  $250 million range.

Consider this:   This coming draw will be a 19th draw.    This has happened twice.   Once right after the switch to the $2 Powerball ticket - I think before the new Powerball actually set in people's pysche - whereupon the Jackpot was $651 million annuity, the largest ever observed.   On that single draw, at the end of March 2012, MM actually sold around $650 million in tickets.

The next 19th draw took place in May of this year, producing a jackpot of $190 million, and sold around 60 million tickets.   Arguably the $2 Powerball ticket cost the lotteries overall, something like $600,000,000 in lost sales, although its not clear that in the old days we would have seen another 19th draw at least for a long time.

Right now, with the new matrix, comparing draw numbers to draw numbers, sales have actually further eroded compared to the old matrix.    One might not expect this much sense from the customers of the lotteries, but that's the situation immediately.    The new matrix is a much, much, much worse deal than the old one, not that the old one was ever a good deal, although in those days one could actually see expectation values close to and even exceeding 1.00

I would imagine that it would take up to 25 draws to reach a billion dollar jackpot (annuity) under these circumstances, should they prevail.    That would take three months from the next won jackpot.

Consider this last draw.    We had a jackpot with a weaker cash to annuity ratio that sold less than 50 million tickets, whereas in that March 2012, the comparably sized jackpot sold close to 80 million tickets, jumping from $241 million to $290 million with a much higher cash to annuity ratio.   I have a few tickets in this game - what the heck - but basically I think the $2 Powerball ticket thoroughly wrecked Megamillions and I don't expect that this bad idea of much worse odds for the jackpot, coupled with lower prize values for the lower tier (except for 5 of 5 with no Megaball), is going to improve the situation.

DDOH937's avatarDDOH937

Quote: Originally posted by KY Floyd on Dec 6, 2013

You set the bar pretty low if you think that's a frenzy.

The last time MM got this high was almost 2 years ago, in the run up to the record $656 jackpot. At that time the advertised jackpot was increased $49 million, from 241 to 290 million, compared to the current increase of $40 million. The actual cash value increase was more than $34 million, compared to the current increase of  about $21.5 million. If it rolls, maybe we'll see something approaching a real frenzy after they start advertising a jackpot that starts with a 3.

Unless sales really don't take off at all, rolling until the Tuesday before Christmas would probably take it to at least a billion. Rolling to the following Friday would certainly break the billion mark, and could well be considerably more. The current sales are small enough that a rollover is very likely, but another 4 or 5 rollovers is very unlikely, assuming we do see sales in the  $250 million range.

Hmmm, fair points. My comment on frenzy was merely predicated on the fact that it was a pre-draw jump, albiet a mini one. But i get your point and i think you just might be right. But ooking at the past drawing that led up to the $656 million jackpot....the tuesdays draw that week was $290 million, and then by the Friday's draw the final tally was $656 mil, that was a $300 million jump. Now with the odds increased with a 50% degree of difficulty. I think 3 more draws AFTER tonight's draw might just bring it to the billion+ mark. And i say.....WHY NOT!!! Banana

JonnyBgood07's avatarJonnyBgood07

Is it me or has the 'JP cash value 'decreased in MM since they started the new marix?

DDOH937's avatarDDOH937

Quote: Originally posted by JonnyBgood07 on Dec 6, 2013

Is it me or has the 'JP cash value 'decreased in MM since they started the new marix?

We should also remember that the cash value in relation to the annuity fluctautes and changes over time as its based on interest rates.

stunna6036's avatarstunna6036

Good luck everyone. Im in it to win itNoelParty

pickone4me's avatarpickone4me

I'm going to wait to see if this one rolls higher before jumping in.

DDOH937's avatarDDOH937

Quote: Originally posted by Kee12 on Dec 6, 2013

Lone ticket winnner emerging tonight?...... Banana

Not yet my Friend!! We're getting close though. Three more I predict!!!

VFR95's avatarVFR95

Seasons Greetings @pickone4me,

 

     You might want to get in on this one earlier partner.......with the odds being reduced for the lower prizes, you could win a coo! million just like that.

Come On......Get back in it and win it!!

 

Dreamer,

LottoMetro's avatarLottoMetro

Quote: Originally posted by JonnyBgood07 on Dec 6, 2013

Is it me or has the 'JP cash value 'decreased in MM since they started the new marix?

In addition to interest rates, this is a direct result of them changing the annuity from 26 to 30 payments.

I really don't think we will get a $1 billion jackpot this draw cycle, but you never know. I agree that MM has not been performing very well since the change, but time will tell if the frenzy sales can make up for it. I have a feeling if this new matrix fails, a $5 jackpot game will arrive in the near future.

NearNewBrit

Here's my idea:

They should keep the previous version of the game going January through September or so.  Then, say around Columbus Day, they change it up for the rest of the year, or until a jackpot is won after the end of the year.  January through September the betting slips are in play.  But afterwards, there's the 75/15 matrix that can only be accessed by quick picks -- no slips.

"NO" to $5 tickets!

Prob988

Quote: Originally posted by JonnyBgood07 on Dec 6, 2013

Is it me or has the 'JP cash value 'decreased in MM since they started the new marix?

Yes, they weakened the cash value significantly (by extending the time period of the annuity value if paid).

Jon D's avatarJon D

Quote: Originally posted by LottoMetro on Dec 6, 2013

In addition to interest rates, this is a direct result of them changing the annuity from 26 to 30 payments.

I really don't think we will get a $1 billion jackpot this draw cycle, but you never know. I agree that MM has not been performing very well since the change, but time will tell if the frenzy sales can make up for it. I have a feeling if this new matrix fails, a $5 jackpot game will arrive in the near future.

Actually, MM sales seem to have responded nicely since the new matrix. Their ploy with the pumped up annuity value seems to have worked, players seem to have bit into it hook, line and sinker. Sales have been boosted by the pumped up annuity value.

Below graph compares current run in blue (with projections) compared to preceding $189M run (P) on old matrix ending 10/1/13 in orange:

But compared to a year ago with the record $656M run (R) , yes, way down. But that was a different time when large jackpots were less common. What a difference a year makes:

Todd's avatarTodd

Jackpot will be $344 million if nobody hits tonight.

DDOH937's avatarDDOH937

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Dec 6, 2013

Jackpot will be $344 million if nobody hits tonight.

NO way!! $360 million minimum!!!     Banana

LottoMetro's avatarLottoMetro

JonD,

Time will tell. The previous $189M Mega Millions run was hampered by not one, but two $400M+ Powerball jackpots. The matrix change may help MM catch up, but at the same time will accelerate jackpot fatigue. With fatigue comes sluggish sales and longer rolls, though Powerball has some advantage with a higher price. That's why I don't think the new MM will last and hence, my mentioning of a $5 game (which I know is in the works).

veganlife125's avatarveganlife125

344 million from the megamillions site

Teddi's avatarTeddi

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Dec 6, 2013

Jackpot will be $344 million if nobody hits tonight.

Wow, Todd. That's impressive. $344 right on the money.

RedStang's avatarRedStang

Figures NYL has'nt updated their MM jackpot while pa, ct and nj already did.

whiteballz's avatarwhiteballz

Quote: Originally posted by Teddi on Dec 7, 2013

Wow, Todd. That's impressive. $344 right on the money.

LOL. Didn't you watch the drawing? The host says that if no one wins, Wednesdays jackpot could be worth $344 mil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFC6gdrO6HQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UUOKAdrQ0sKR9H1hi88RmQkA

Subscribe to this news story