The Mega Millions jackpot has skyrocketed to over $1 billion, reaching an astonishing $1.15 billion for this Friday’s drawing following yet another lack of winning tickets after the Christmas Eve draw. This considerable amount is potentially the fifth-largest jackpot in the game’s storied history, generating quite the buzz among players eager for their shot at fortune.
According to lottery officials from Massachusetts, this latest jackpot surge marks the 31st draw since the last winning ticket was purchased on September 10, 2024, boasting a whopping $810 million prize. If someone were to win this time, it would mark a historic moment, as this jackpot stands as one of the largest ever recorded for Mega Millions.
Joan Schimml, the Director of Public Affairs at Minnesota Lottery, noted the uniqueness of this moment: "This is the fifth largest jackpot in Mega Millions history, so that's why there's so much excitement and people are talking about it." Indeed, the anticipation surrounding the lottery and the communities buzzing with conversations around potential winnings is palpable this holiday season.
The numbers drawn on Christmas Eve were 11, 14, 38, 45, 46, and the gold Mega Ball was 3. Unfortunately, there were no winners who matched all six numbers, which has pushed the jackpot to new heights. A lucky ticket did manage to match five numbers without the Mega Ball, sold in Lemoore, California, worth just over $1.7 million. Other similar winning tickets were sold across Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming.
The current odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot stand at 1 in 302,575,350. Despite these slim odds, players remain undeterred. Tickets cost $2 each and are now being bought vigorously, with lottery ticket vendors across states like Minnesota seeing increased foot traffic as folks look to grab their chance at this life-changing sum.
"We know many people will likely receive tickets to Friday’s drawing as holiday gifts, and what a gift it would turn out to be if you ended up with a ticket worth $1.15 billion," said Joshua Johnston, the lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium, during a recent statement. It appears as though the spirit of giving is alive and well during this festive season, with lottery tickets finding their way to stockings countrywide, infusing hopes and dreams with every ticket sold.
Much excitement has also surrounded the idea of how the winner could choose to receive their life-changing amount. They have the option of receiving it as annual payments spread over 30 years, or if they are feeling particularly bold, they can take the lump-sum cash payment, estimated at around $516.1 million. This hefty amount would not only change the winner's life but can also make waves across their community.
While the jackpot continues to rise, so does the overall interest in lotteries across the nation. With countless shops selling tickets, and with the tradition of purchasing Mega Millions tickets firmly entrenched as part of holiday festivities, it’s clear the lottery plays much more than just numbers - it brings people together.
Lottery drawings are regularly held at 11 p.m. ET every Tuesday and Friday, ensuring anticipation builds steadily until the moment the winning numbers are unveiled. Ticket sales for the upcoming drawing will stop at 10:45 p.m. on Friday, and with each sale, half of the proceeds remain with the state where the ticket was sold, supporting local education and other initiatives.
Joshua Johnston encapsulated the holiday sentiment perfectly, stating, "I can’t think of a bigger way to celebrate the holidays – whether Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, or any other way people choose to celebrate the season – than by helping fulfill the dreams with prizes like this." The spirit of hope and dreams touch each ticket, the universe of what could be so tantalizingly close.
For those wanting to join the frenzy, heads up! Mega Millions tickets are available across 45 states, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the excitement sizzling just beneath the surface could make for quite the festive surprise if the numbers play out favorably this Friday!
