Those hoping for an early gift on Christmas Eve may have been disappointed when no winning ticket was drawn for the Mega Millions jackpot. But the prize has now grown to an estimated $1.15 billion — which could be the fifth-largest jackpot in the game's history, according to Mega Millions.
"We know thata many people will likely receive tickets to Friday's drawing as holiday gifts, and what agiftthat would turn out to be if you ended up witha ticket wortha $1.15 billion jackpot," said Joshua Johnston, lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium, in an online statement.
The tickets sell for $2 each, and the company says half of the proceeds from the sale of each ticket stayin the state where the ticket was sold. The company also emphasized how Mega Millions jackpots have only been won three times so far this year. Notably, the highest ever won was $1.6 billion, claimed by someone witha winning ticket purchasedin Florida back in 2023.
The odds of winning the jackpot are roughly one in 302,575,350, which, for perspective, is significantly worse than the odds of getting struck by lightning during your lifetime, estimated at onein 15,300, accordingto the National Weather Service.
Hang onto those stocking-stuffer lottery tickets! It’s true—the Mega Millions jackpot has surpassed $1 billion after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn on Christmas Eve, pushing the jackpot to its estimated $1.15 billion for Friday's drawing.
This marks the jackpot as potentially the fifth-largest encountered within the game's extensive history, which has captivated players nationwide. Johnston reiterated how during the holiday season, many individuals might purchase tickets as gifts. "We know thata many people will likely receive tickets to Friday's drawing as holiday gifts, and what agiftthat would turn out to be if you ended up witha ticket worth acertain huge jackpot," he noted.
"I can’t think ofabetter way to celebrate the holidays—whetherChristmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, or any other way people choose tocelebrate the season – than by helping fulfill the dreamsthat come with aprize like this and prizesthat will be won at all levels ofthe game," Johnston added.
With tickets sold across 45 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, anticipation is building as people prepare for the drawing, which occurs every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Each $2 ticket gives buyers the opportunity for massive winnings and promises fun and excitement, especially during this festive season.
