The Mega Millions jackpot has reached $1.22 billion as ticket sales surge ahead of Friday's drawing. Jackpot's following has steadily increased 1 billion dollar christmas eve drawing This did not result in any winning jackpot ticket.
Christmas Day, Lottery Officials said the estimated grand prize was a whopping $1.15 billionwith a cash option of $516.1 million, but that number has since increased.
“Ticket sales are at a peak,” a Mega Millions spokesperson told CBS News. He said that once the jackpot reaches this level, ticket sales often increase.
What time is the Mega Millions drawing?
The next drawing for the $1.22 billion jackpot is Friday at 11 pm ET.
Cash option for winners The spokesperson said the one-time payment is now worth $549.7 million – $33.6 million more than a few days ago.
Winner can take either Cash payment or $1.22 billion annuity Payments are made over 30 years if a winning jackpot ticket is drawn.
Only three Mega Millions jackpots have been won this year – the fewest in any year since the game began. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350.
A Mega Millions spokesperson said winners are possible in all prize levels, even if there is no jackpot winner. on Christmas Eve, The prize for the second level of the game was four tickets matched with five white balls.They were sold in California, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Wyoming.
If anyone wins, it will be the fifth largest Mega Millions jackpot ever. (All totals are before taxes are calculated.)
Top Mega Millions Jackpots:
| amount | date | winning tickets |
| $1.602 billion | 8/8/2023 | 1-FL |
| $1.537 billion | 10/23/2018 | 1-sc |
| $1.348 billion | 1/13/2023 | 1-ME |
| $1.337 billion | 7/29/2022 | 1-IL |
| $1.22(estimated) | 12/27/2024 | , |
| $1.128 billion | 3/26/2024 | 1-NJ |
| $1.050 billion | 1/22/2021 | 1-mi |
| $810 million | 9/10/2024 | 1-TX |
| $656 million | 3/30/2012 | 3-IL, KS, MD |
| $648 million | 12/17/2013 | 2-CA,GA |
Courtesy of Mega Millions
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