By Todd Northrop
Mega Millions is making history tonight, with the biggest jackpot the multi-state lottery game has ever seen.
A rush of ticket sales for the colossal Mega Millions jackpot has prompted lottery officials to revise their estimate for the Tuesday night drawing to $667 million. It is the 3rd-largest jackpot in US lottery history. (The updated top-25 list of annuity and cash values can be found below.)
The all-important lump-sum cash value is now estimated to be a staggering $380 million, the 6th-largest lottery jackpot cash value of all time, and the 2nd-largest for the Mega Millions game.
Tuesday's drawing will be the 23rd since Mega Millions had a winner. The current jackpot run-up started on July 27 as a $40 million grand prize.
The United States' other big multi-state lottery game, Powerball, has also been heating up in the past couple of weeks, giving lottery players a rare chance at playing for jackpot money worth greater than $1 billion. With the latest Mega Millions increase, the combined value of the two multi-state lottery jackpots offered this week is currently $1.012 billion.
"It's always a thrill to have both jackpots rolling, but there's an extra spark now with Mega Millions reaching a new record," said Gordon Medenica, Mega Millions Lead Director and Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director. "Everyone is talking about the jackpot and running out to buy tickets for tonight's drawing."
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.
According to the Texas Lottery, if nobody wins tonight's Mega Millions jackpot, the new jackpot for Friday will be a jaw-dropping $868 million — the 2nd-largest jackpot of all time. The Maryland Lottery says the new cash value will be $495 million. A half-billion dollars in cash!
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 3rd-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: $667 million, Oct. 16, 2018 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- 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: $543 million, Jul. 24, 2018 - California
- Mega Millions: $536 million, Jul. 8, 2016 - Indiana
- Mega Millions: $533 million, Mar. 30, 2018 - New Jersey
- 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
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 6th-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: $380 million cash, Oct. 16, 2018 ($667 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- 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: $320.5 million cash, Jul. 24, 2018 ($543 million annuity) - California
- 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
The number of cash value jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 14
- Mega Millions: 11
Almost playable.
And if it rolls, it goes up to $868 Mil on Friday, tho I expect lotto fever will bump that amount up to $900+ mil or even reach a Billion.
Indeed! The article also gives you the next cash value if it rolls tonight.
Oh, I love those cash values!
Take the Annuity and receive $6,324,763.00 after all taxes are paid by April 17, 2019.
I could survive on $6.3 million for the first year.
The total amount after 30 years = $441,000,000.00 That is if taxes remain the same.
After I win tonight I will consult with professionals and get their opinions and sage advice.
It is good seeing new records being made.
Almost? Right, OK, whatever you say JL.
I do enjoy and miss the Texas lottery.
https://www.txlottery.org/export/sites/lottery/Games/Mega_Millions/Estimated_Jackpot.html
noise-gate, Will you invite all of us here on LP to go with you and your lovely wife to Seychelles?
Those pictures are so tempting. Don't get too sunburnt. Enjoy your vacation!
Thanks for the update. I am on my way out to buy the winning ticket
This not really the biggest jackpot ever because the annuity jackpots are inflated by interest rates. I go by the present cash amount. $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) is still the highest. In other words "take home" is what matters.
Absolutely not music, that's like inviting friends out with you on your honeymoon.We all have to find our own thrill, the Seychelles is mine.l have visited several parts of Africa, namely Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, but just missed hopping a plane to the Seychelles, so it it a dream that's been unfulfilled..thus far.
Not noise-gate but I'll see what I can do once I claim it. But in all seriousness even if one of us won and was able to do this think about how fun it would be trying to guess which one of us was the lucky SOB!!
"Almost?"
It's a big jackpot, but it's still not a good bet for players. Depending on state taxes let's figure the after tax net is an even $240 million. At odds of 1 in 302 million it will cost players $604 million to collect it. That's an average return of just under 40 cents for every dollar you bet, making the risk to reward ratio a loser. And probability says that the states will collect another $180 million and pocket half without paying out the jackpot.
Of course the $2 cost of a ticket is a very low risk, so you can affords to lose.
good luck 2 those playing this evening
First off: l would tell no one. I would probably throw a subtle hint like " White Shores" if l won, and then l am gone for good.
noise-gate, If you ask the Lottery Office nicely they may treat you like they did Marvin and Mae Acosta. They lived in Chino Hills, CA and won 1/3 share of the $1.5 billion jackpot. PB.
How you liking the Dragon Lady?
Ole becky ain't my cup of tea. Almost prefer to have lunch with the Florida Hat Lady
Why are you so mean to the Tennessee Lottery CEO Rebecca Hargrove? Tennessee lottery has experienced some major jackpots. Like the Tennessee 20.
rofl lol that's real
funny, yes go buy your "winning ticket!" Good luck to you, ,Ms. Bee."
I am not a supporter of these big games. dad say cassie they rigged or more would win each time real high over 50 to 100 million. i still will buy a "few or a couple or 1 tonight." Good luck all.
I think it is ripe and I plan on plucking it off the lottery tree tonight!
One of the lottery jurisdictions I am playing in says they want
me to call and make an appointment before I come to cash the ticket in. They must think I am stupid. I will not be giving them a heads up so they can call the media to greet me!
Good luck everyone!
Hopefully I can be NC’s most eligible bachelor at about 11:20pmish :-)
This Little Old Curmudgeon might have more than one ticket
It's a secret
Let's go Mega Millions!
Question ..What is the procedure to receive the winning money ?
And how long does it take ? Thanks !!!
LLC>Sign>Enjoy...
Awesome Retort!
They were smart people , they had a Solid Plan !!!
They were the ONLY winners , who did the right thing.
Nothing wrong with an "LLC" .
I'm ready to win the Mega / Power ball Lottery !