By Todd Northrop
A rush of ticket sales for the half-billion-dollar Mega Millions jackpot has prompted lottery officials to revise their estimate for the Tuesday night drawing to $512 million.
The all-important lump-sum cash value is now estimated to be a staggering $303.4 million.
Tuesday's drawing will be the 23rd since Mega Millions had a winner. The current jackpot run-up started on May 8 as a $40 million grand prize.
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 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 Friday, although players should check with a lottery retailer in their state for the exact sales cutoff time. (Every state is different.) Players are strongly advised not to wait until the last minute.
The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 302 million. The odds of winning any of the Mega Millions prizes are 1 in 24.
Mega Millions tickets cost $2 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 $2 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
Tuesday's Mega Millions jackpot currently stands as the 11th-largest lottery jackpot of all time in the United States. That position may rise before the drawing, as lotteries are typically conservative in their initial estimates, and brisk sales may push the jackpot estimate higher by draw time.
- Powerball: $1.5864 billion, Jan. 13, 2016 - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Powerball: $758.7 million, Aug. 23, 2017 - Massachusetts
- Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Mega Millions: $636 million, Dec. 17, 2013 - California, Georgia
- Powerball: $590.5 million, May 18, 2013 - Florida
- Powerball: $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012 - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $564.1 million, Feb. 11, 2015 - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- Powerball: $559.7 million, Jan. 6, 2018 - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $536 million, Jul. 8, 2016 - Indiana
- Mega Millions: $533 million, Mar. 30, 2018 - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $512 million, Jul. 24, 2018 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $487 million, Jul. 30, 2016 - New Hampshire
- Powerball: $456.7 million, Mar. 17, 2018 - Pennsylvania
- Mega Millions: $451 million, Jan. 5, 2018 - Florida
- Powerball: $448.4 million, Aug. 7, 2013 - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
- Powerball: $447.8 million, Jun. 10, 2017 - California
- Powerball: $435.3 million, Feb. 22, 2017 - Indiana
- Powerball: $429.6 million, May 7, 2016 - New Jersey
- Powerball: $425.3 million, Feb. 19, 2014 - California
- Powerball: $420.9 million, Nov. 26, 2016 - Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $414 million, Mar. 18, 2014 - Florida, Maryland
- Powerball: $399.4 million, Sep. 18, 2013 - South Carolina
- Mega Millions: $393 million, Aug. 11, 2017 - Illinois
- Mega Millions: $390 million, Mar. 6, 2007 - Georgia, New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $380 million, Jan. 4, 2011 - Idaho, Washington
For those keeping score, the number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 15
- Mega Millions: 10
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.
Looking at the cash value, the upcoming Mega Millions jackpot ranks as the 12th-largest cash value in U.S. history.
- Powerball: $983.5 million cash, Jan. 13, 2016 ($1.5864 billion annuity) - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Powerball: $480.5 million cash, Aug. 23, 2017 ($758.7 million annuity) - Massachusetts
- Mega Millions: $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Powerball: $384.7 million cash, Nov. 28, 2012 ($587.5 million annuity) - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $381.1 million cash, Feb. 11, 2015 ($564.1 million annuity) - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- Mega Millions: $378 million cash, Jul. 8, 2016 ($536 million annuity) - Indiana
- Powerball: $370.9 million cash, May 18, 2013 ($590.5 million annuity) - Florida
- Powerball: $352 million cash, Jan. 6, 2018 ($559.7 million annuity) - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $347.6 million cash, Dec. 17, 2013 ($636 million annuity) - California, Georgia
- Powerball: $336.8 million cash, Jul. 30, 2016 ($487 million annuity) - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $324 million cash, Mar. 30, 2018 ($533 million annuity) - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $303.4 million cash, Jul. 24, 2018 ($512 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $284 million cash, May 7, 2016 ($429.6 million annuity) - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $281.9 million cash, Jan. 5, 2018 ($451 million annuity) - Florida
- Powerball: $279.1 million cash, Jun. 10, 2017 ($447.8 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $273.9 million cash, Mar. 17, 2018 ($456.7 million annuity) - Pennsylvania
- Powerball: $263.5 million cash, Feb. 22, 2017 ($435.3 million annuity) - Indiana
- Powerball: $258.2 million cash, Aug. 7, 2013 ($448.4 million annuity) - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
- Powerball: $254.7 million cash, Nov. 26, 2016 ($420.9 million annuity) - Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $246.5 million cash, Aug. 11, 2017 ($393 million annuity) - Illinois
- Mega Millions: $240 million cash, Jan. 4, 2011 ($380 million annuity) - Idaho, Washington
- Mega Millions: $233.1 million cash, Mar. 6, 2007 ($390 million annuity) - Georgia, New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $230.9 million cash, Mar. 18, 2014 ($414 million annuity) - Florida, Maryland
- Powerball: $227.8 million cash, Feb. 19, 2014 ($425.3 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $224.7 million cash, Aug. 15, 2012 ($337 million annuity) - Michigan
The number of cash value jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 15
- Mega Millions: 10
Todd should pay Todd double time plus hazardous pay for frenzied jackpot seasons.
I think Todd runs LP like Steve Jobs ran Apple. Steve, the chief bottle washer was only paid a Dollar a year * l read, for running the company. LP is his pride & joy, his baby after all.Sacrifices have to be made, for the greater good
I fueled a 3 day conspiracy theory a few years back that Todd won the lotto and got inspired to build this community as a means of giving back. He said interesting but not the case. If anyone deserves a win...
USA Mega has the numbers posted before the official MUSL sites. I still haven't figured out how he pulls that off. Powerball is drawn in FL and the state website seems to take the longest.
Has everyone decided on what they will do with $191,000,000.00? Lump Sum cash. The check will be a bit larger because another 12% is still owed.
CDARS/ICS, Jumbo CDs, will give you time to decide on your course of action. Treasuries can keep some of it safe.
Any other ideas?
I would look into immediate pay annuities. I wouldn’t put a lot of it in there but enough to get a cash stream started to at least replace current salaries.
My after tax amount would be around $163,987,700.
My plan for the current jackpot goes something like this. Plan to invest $120,000,000 million of it over the next 3 years. Take what I estimate to be the “take home” after investing the $120 mill and set aside enough of the remaining money to cover those three years while I am getting my income stream set up. Give up to my life time gift exemption (currently $11,180,000 or $22,360,00 per couple) to family members. Start building my dream house (I already own the land). Start investing in a donor advised fund and through that give $4,000,000 to charity (with the plan on giving 10% a year after that). Hire a personal assistant/pet nanny to stay with my cat while I take my family to Las Vegas. Hmmmm. Maybe buy a Jaguar F-Type.
Oh, and have my husband retire as soon as he can responsibly do so!
$2 Investment Will Turn Into $512 Million.
LottoLucy, I hope that you might know that you will be visiting gas stations a lot with your Jaguar F- Type. It is not the money but just the hassle of having to fill up frequently. Maybe they have improved the MPG. Enjoy your ride!
I do like your generosity toward family members. You will afford it.
I am not a fan of Las Vegas or Reno, NV. If I did go to a casino it would be an Indian owned one. Native Americans.
Annuities are great for the salesperson but not good for the buyer.
I would invest over 7-8 years. 3 years is a short time horisont having so much money. A stock market crash would erase much of the assets. Also diversify investments having stocks in many branches and many international stocks. Good luck when you win!
My prediction is going to $510 million is toast, but you know what? I believe it'll climb even higher...how about $520 million??
Just on the phone with the MA State Lottery for my new Mass Cash tickets, I was steaming. The lady said the printer messed up and gave a bunch of people the wrong #'s. It starts @ 01-35 and my tickets both had 00 for the first #. Then we both laughed about it as she said new tickets were coming.
Based on earlier rises when frenzy starts: I would say at least 540-550.
$700 mil if it rolls!
This happened to me to today when I got mine in the mail. But I have the original ticket/receipt from when I bought it in Cash at the store I bought it from with the correct numbers on it. I wasn't worried about it.
Hello all:
New member here. Im looking forward to chatting with you guys. Good luck to all.
Welcome Myzlyn2u! A catchy name, now catch a big Michigan lottery win (if my tickets don't beat out yours!)
Good luck to you, too.
512million is HUGE!
I will say that someone from the forum will win this time!
Just imagine if it rolls on over tomorrow night. About 25 hours from now. This would take all by surprise. The media frenzy would be unbearable. Most of us have experienced something like this with the record Power Ball jackpot worth $1.5 billion American dollars.
l decided a long time ago, what l would do with “ any” win over $20 million.Financial institutions will know me, on a first name basis. All l know is this, the minute the bank managers hear or see me on cctv entering their establishments, they will immediately interrupt what they doing,no matter how important,and head over to meet me with outstretched handshakes. Now that’s power friends.
Tickets will remain on sale typically until 10:45 pm Eastern Time on Friday, although players should check with a lottery retailer in their state for the exact sales cutoff time. (Every state is different.) Players are strongly advised not to wait until the last minute.
Shouldn't that be TUESDAY and not Friday?
With this kind of money at your disposal, why even think about giving millions of $$$s to some charity that will use upwards to 70-75% or more for their own salaries and expenses. Instead, why not create a company, staff it with paid employees who also guide and help other people create working companies with their own employees. All far a small cut (to offset your own expenses) and have a small stake in (to be sure they are running things properly). I will be opening a couple of restaurants/fast food places. And will be looking for other interesting start-ups. Bring me a business plan!
My grandmother used to bake the best cookies.
Let's win this one$
Well I mean there are good and bad charities just like there are good and bad people. I for one wouldn't open anything that makes me a profit I already would have more money than I could ever spend so why seek even more??? Just more stress to deal with no thanks. When you open up things that people can make big money at trust me there will be stress. Especially opening things where people demand top notch service. I think my charities would come in the form of......
To be honest If I walked into a bank and some manager does that to me its making a scene saying hey look at this rich person that has the bank manager drooling. I wonder who he is /how much money he has. These thoughts can only bring ill will and unwanted attention which are things I definitely would not desire nor require. But hey whatever floats your boat
*Cracks knuckles and leaves to buy a ticket* Say no more my friend.
Yes I would say that it was more than likely a typo not necessarily an incorrect one but in regards to the numbers of $512 Million wrong non the less.
Like #1 quite a bit; I do three right now.
Nice to get an email from KY Lottery this morning stating $50 won on-line playing Cashball 225...
While y'all fighting to win half a bil, I will slip in, win the PB jackpot, and disappear into anonymity with my paltry $56 mil.
Ppm, if you knew a little about my posts, you would know that on occasions, they laced with humor. This was one of those times.
I confess that it was in response to Music* in depth and knowledge of what & where he would stash the cash.
noise-gate, Please spend more of your winnings on professionals. Thanks for the compliment.
You could add "LOL" "HA HA" or something along those lines to help your humor be known for what it is. Todd's emojis help
Tonight could be your best night ever or at least second best night. LOL!
You know when I read that I was really surprised and I should have known you were doing that lol Mea Culpa.
I’d have a mattress stuffed with made of money haha. And a big 12 gauge standing next to pillow also made of money lol. And i’d Change my name to Tony Montana. LOL. Just kidding around , I bought a ticket this morning. I got MegaBall 19. But the numbers was all high so I’ll probably buy another. I don’t think about it much but I do buy qp’s from time to time. Most I ever got was 3+1.
WELCOME ABOARD..
If truth be told music, l am not a fan of the “ haha, lol” movement, why? Cause what may be funny to you* genalizing, may not be funny to the other person. My wife is a perfect example
There is a scene in the movie “ The Dark Knight rises” where Bane & his posse raid the Stock exchange. The manager of sorts says to him “This is a stock exchange, there is no money here, at which point bane says “ Then why are you people here?” Half the theater got it, the others did not.
By the way, when you win, just remember “ There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”
Jackpot just raised to $522 million with $308.1 million cash option!
And if there is no winner tonight the estimated jackpot will be $630 million
Good luck to all
Per the Texas site, the jackpot has been bumped up to $522 million with a $308.1 M lump sum. They have the roll over prediction at $630 mil.
That thing is crankin'
When I say I don’t think about it much I mean except to win. I play when I feel like winning and that’s way most think which is why jackpot soars so high when jackpot is this high because everybody’s thinking about it and the point is to win. Hence this story. So idk wtf else is sayin’. Good Luck to Everybody May we all win a million dollars tonight!!
Getting a ticket with all super high numbers really sucks but I think so far this year there was both one result having all high (40s and up) and one low (all less than 30). Those dates were May 4 with the low numbers (someone from Ohio won the JP) and the high ones of course happened two draws ago. I think 2017 had about 3 draws with low numbers but none with all highs. I tend to do about 3 tickets one ticket with at least 4 lows one qp and then another one maybe right before the draw if Im thinking about it too much.
Hey any information on where this data originally come from. How could they possibly know how much people will spend on tickets. Never mind I guess after the many years of operation there's a lot of data to represent this huge figure.
Also for my 100th post God willing of course I will be posting simply " I DID IT"
......truth be told Im going to say I did it regardless and that's a fact jack
Yeah. The MegaBall on the other one I got is 21 and the numbers are lower. Good luck.
Speaking of humor when I went in for tonight the guy said the more money you play the more money you win. Lol. Kind of thinking to myself it’s such a shame that such an amount has been spent with no winner. At least 3 people went in the store for the few minutes I was there and all bought $20 worth of ticks. Let’s hope somebody wins tonight. Mo’ money mo’ problems lol
I DID IT on my 100th post I up and ..........Lost. Well folks I enjoyed the ride I had guessed there would be a 1, a 4, and that the MB would be in the 20s but I won nothing. Regardless I pray someone won something...anything ....come on people. Win that money