News writer
The lottery bug is sweeping the country — all because of the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots, which are now a combined $1.73 billion!
The last jackpot winners
The Mega Millions game has not seen a jackpot winner in 2024, with the last jackpot win coming in December 2023. That drawing, held on December 12, 2023, saw two tickets in California split the $394 million jackpot.
The Powerball game has had a jackpot winner in 2024, as the new year kicked off with a bang. One ticket purchased in Michigan won $842.2 million for the New Year's Day drawing, but no one has won since.
This weekend's big jackpots
The next Mega Millions drawing will take place tonight, March 22. The estimated jackpot stands at $977 million with a cash option of $461 million — making it the 10th largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever and the sixth largest Mega Millions jackpot ever. For the Top 5 Mega Millions jackpots, they are all over $1 billion.
The next Powerball drawing takes place on Saturday, March 23. The estimated jackpot stands at $750 million, with a cash option of $357.3 million. This will be the ninth-largest Powerball jackpot ever and the 15th-largest U.S. lottery jackpot.
How do you play Mega Millions or Powerball?
Tickets for both the Mega Millions and the Powerball cost $2 per play. Players can increase their prizes (except the jackpot) by adding the Power Play or Megaplier for an additional $1 per play.
For Mega Millions, players select five numbers from 1 to 70 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 25 for the Mega Ball.
For Powerball, players select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 26 for the Powerball.
If you want the computer to generate random numbers for you, just select the Quick Pick option.
Where can you play Mega Millions and Powerball?
Tickets for the Mega Millions are sold in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Tickets for the Powerball are sold in 45 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
If you are wondering, the states that are not offering either Powerball or Mega Millions are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.
When do the Mega Millions and Powerball drawings take place?
Each week, the Powerball drawings are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. The actual drawing takes place at 10:59 p.m. ET.
The Mega Millions drawings are held every week on Tuesdays and Fridays. The actual drawing takes place at 11 p.m. ET.
What are the odds of winning either jackpot?
While it is exciting to think of winning all that money, the reality isn't as friendly. However, someone has to win it, so why not be you?
For the Mega Millions, the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302.6 million. The odds of matching all five white balls without the Mega Ball, which pays you $1 million, are 1 in 12.61 million.
For the Powerball, the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. The odds of matching all five white balls without the Powerball, which also pays $1 million, are 1 in 11.69 million.
Big money is available this weekend, but always remember to play responsibly.
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