Mega Millions Jackpot Soars to $900 Million Ahead of Tuesday Draw

The estimated jackpot for the upcoming Mega Millions drawing has reached an astonishing $900 million, marking the 15th-largest lottery prize in U.S. history. This increase follows Friday’s drawing, during which no ticket matched all six winning numbers, keeping the jackpot intact and allowing it to grow significantly.

The winning numbers from the previous draw were 16, 21, 23, 48, 70, with the Mega Ball being 5. According to the Mega Millions Consortium, which manages the game, there were also no tickets that matched five numbers without the Mega Ball. The jackpot had initially been estimated at $843 million, but the lack of winners contributed to its substantial rise.

With this drawing, the Mega Millions has seen 38 consecutive draws without a jackpot winner. Players face daunting odds, with the chance of hitting all five numbers plus the Mega Ball standing at 1 in 290,472,336. However, the overall likelihood of winning any prize remains more favorable at 1 in 23.

If a lucky ticket holder emerges on Tuesday, it would be the eighth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history. The game, originally launched in 1996 as The Big Game, was rebranded to Mega Millions in 2002. While Mega Millions is a popular lottery choice, it is important to note that six Powerball jackpots have surpassed its current amount, as stated by the Multi-State Lottery Association, which oversees the Powerball game.

Mega Millions is available to players in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As anticipation builds for the drawing on Tuesday, many are dreaming of what they would do with a potential windfall, ranging from luxury vacations to new vehicles.

For those interested in participating, it is worth considering the odds and the long-standing tradition of lottery play, which continues to capture the imagination of millions across the nation.