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.
Nice roll! Good luck to all lottery players for next Tuesday's drawing! I think I'll buy my tickets early this round.
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!!!
One million will make me very happy for Chrismas
me thinks am gonna put off getting anymore tickets till after the 1st of the year
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?
Happy New Year !
the gift of a $206 million
I'm greedy.I'll settle for nothing less than the whole jackpot!
Merry Christmas
and good luck to everyone!
I'm hoping to be Louisiana's first MegaMillions jackpot winner and a jackpot like this would be great for that!
NOT ME!! Will take the $600 I hit last night, 3+ mega ball with Megaplier!!!
I think Santa gonna stop by my house and give me my Christmas present this year..
...Go Niners.
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!
Everyone knows that it is time for PA to get the first Mega Millions win since joining!
i think this may happen cause on the annuity option the pb is invested for a longer time period,like 26 yrs.
go jets
go denver
EVERYBODY DO NOT WORRY I GOT THIS ONE!!!!
This is from USAMega.com:
Why is the Powerball cash value less than Mega Millions?
You may have noticed that when Powerball and Mega Millions have the same annuity jackpot amount, the cash value for Mega Millions is higher. But from an accounting perspective, you are looking at it backwards. Most people think of the cash value as something that is calculated based on the annuity amount, but in fact the lotteries start with the cash value. The advertised annuity jackpot amount is calculated based on the cash available for the jackpot, plus whatever interest will be generated over the annuity years. So in reality, the question you should be asking is, "When the Powerball and Mega Millions cash values are the same, why is the Powerball annuity jackpot higher?" And the answer to that question is that Powerball uses an annuity formula that lasts an additional 4 years, plus the annuity increases its payout every year. So Powerball's annuity formula will generate more income over its lifespan than Mega Million's will.
Btw, I'll be winning the $206,000,000 jackpot on Tuesday.
I AGREE>>>>>>>>>!
$206 MILLION give's psyko TICK "FEVER"
Happy New Yeear>>>>>>>>>>!!!!!!!!!!!
uttttttttttttttttttttttoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Todd............................................
31 Players won the second prize level. I wonder what's been the greatest number of second place winners without a jackpot winner.
Cletus, you selfish hound! LOL, I am just joking. Something is telling me that even if you win the entire jackpot, you would still share with those whom you hold near and dear.
Good Luck Cletus and Merry Christmas.
Peppy, good observation! Hmm, makes you wonder, right?
dpoly, as a Texan true and true, we are taking dips on that one. LOL
Good Luck everybody, don't forget the powerball tonight, the amount is staggering as well.
Nah, free. You need to sit this one out.
can i hve da other 205 mil then... lol
Boy I would like to be Oregon's first mega millions winner this tuesday. Good luck to all who play!-weshar75
My husband is also a Christmas baby, and next Friday is his last day of work he'll be retiring so he said this would make a wonderful birthday retirement present. Now all we need is the six numbers that they draw.
way to go kapla congrats on your hit .. thats a sweet and smooth one for xmas ...