The Mega Millions Jackpot Soars to $464 Million
As the Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an impressive $464 million for Friday’s drawing, anticipation is high for players across the country. The last jackpot winner was an anonymous player in Illinois who snagged a whopping $552 million prize in June. The odds of winning the jackpot are one in 302,575,350, making it a challenging but thrilling opportunity for lottery enthusiasts.
In recent years, enormous jackpot wins have become increasingly common. A ticket sold in New Jersey hit a $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot in March, while a Powerball ticket in Oregon scored over $1.3 billion in April. These jaw-dropping amounts have captured the attention and imagination of people everywhere, fueling dreams of striking it rich with a single lucky ticket.
Mega Millions Winning Numbers for Friday, August 16, 2024
The winning numbers for the latest drawing on August 16 were 22-38-48-51-61, with Mega Ball 5 and a 3x Megaplier. When a player matches all five numbers and the Mega Ball, they have the option to receive the full jackpot as an annuity spread out over 30 years or a smaller lump sum cash payout. The cash option for the most recent draw was $228.5 million, tempting winners with a significant windfall.
Even if players don’t hit the jackpot, there’s still a chance to win big. Matching the first five numbers guarantees at least a $1 million prize, providing some consolation for those who come close to the ultimate payday.
When is the Mega Millions Drawing?
For those eagerly awaiting the next chance to become a millionaire, Mega Millions drawings occur twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time. This regular schedule allows players to plan their ticket purchases and tune in to see if their lucky numbers are drawn.
What are the Largest US Lottery Jackpots Ever Won?
For those curious about the history of massive lottery payouts, here are some of the biggest jackpots in US lottery history:
- $2.04 billion: Powerball – Nov. 7, 2022
- $1.76 billion – Powerball – Oct. 11, 2023
- $1.586 billion: Powerball – Jan. 13, 2016
- $1.58 billion: Mega Millions – Aug. 8, 2023
- $1.537 billion: Mega Millions – Oct. 23, 2018
- $1.35 billion: Mega Millions – Jan. 13, 2023
- $1.337 billion: Mega Millions – July 29, 2022
- $1.326 billion: Powerball – April, 6, 2024
- $1.13 billion: Mega Millions – March 26, 2024
- $1.08 billion: Powerball – July 19, 2023
These staggering sums are a testament to the life-changing potential of lottery games like Mega Millions and Powerball, offering players the chance to turn their wildest dreams into reality with a single lucky ticket.
