Mega Millions Jackpot Soars to $875 Million After no Grand Prize Winners Friday

In a remarkable turn of events, the Mega Millions jackpot has surged to an estimated $875 million, as no ticket holders were able to claim the grand prize in Friday night's drawing. This staggering amount marks the continuation of a series of rollovers that have captivated lottery players across the nation.

The winning numbers from Friday's drawing were 13, 25, 50, 51, and 66, with a gold Mega Ball of 6. Despite the lack of a grand prize winner, one lucky ticket sold in New York matched all five white balls, securing a $1 million second-tier prize for its owner.

The current jackpot is now the sixth-largest in the history of the Mega Millions game, which has been running for nearly 22 years. It is also the tenth-largest in U.S. lottery history. The excitement is palpable as this is only the sixth time the Mega Millions jackpot has reached this level, with five of those jackpots exceeding the $1 billion threshold.

The last time the Mega Millions jackpot was won was on December 8, 2023, when two winning tickets were sold in California, splitting a $394 million prize. Since then, the jackpot has rolled over 28 times, fueling the anticipation for the next drawing.

Lottery officials remind players that while the excitement grows, the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are a daunting 1 in 302.6 million. Nevertheless, the chance to win such a life-changing amount continues to draw hopeful players to purchase tickets.

The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As the jackpot grows, so does the number of people dreaming of what they would do with such a windfall.

Financial experts often advise jackpot winners to take a deep breath and carefully plan their next steps. This includes assembling a team of professionals, such as an attorney, a tax expert, and a financial adviser, to help navigate the complexities that come with winning such a substantial sum.

As the nation waits with bated breath for the next drawing, the question on everyone's mind is whether the Mega Millions jackpot will cross the billion-dollar mark, a milestone that has only been reached a handful of times in the game's history.