Friday’s Mega Millions drawing ended without a big winner, and the massive $843 million jackpot rolled into next week. With no ticket matching all six numbers, the prize now climbs to an estimated $900 million ($415.3 million cash value) for Tuesday’s draw.
Numbers: 16 – 21 – 23 – 48 – 70
Mega Ball: 5
Recent Jackpot Wins and Rollovers
The jackpot hasn’t landed in months. The last winning ticket appeared on June 27 in Virginia and paid out about $348 million. Earlier this year, players in Ohio and New Jersey also hit major prizes. The New Jersey win reached $1.13 billion, making it one of the biggest payouts in Mega Millions history.
Mega Millions sees streaks like this often. In January 2023, the jackpot fell four times within a single month. One of those drawings hit $1.35 billion — the second-highest total ever for the game.
Why Ticket Prices Increased
In April, Mega Millions raised the ticket price from $2 to $5. According to lottery officials, the higher price supports larger starting jackpots, which now begin at $50 million instead of $20 million. It also boosts the minimum prize from $10 to $20.
Although the change sparked debate, the lottery says it gives players slightly better odds. The chance of winning the jackpot improved from 1 in 303 million to 1 in 290 million, and the odds of winning anything at all are now 1 in 23.
“People really want big jackpots,” said Washington state lottery director Josh Johnston. He expects sales to rise as the prize approaches the billion-dollar mark.
A Growing Jackpot and Bigger Player Interest
Because no one claimed Friday’s prize, Mega Millions players now turn their attention to Tuesday’s drawing. As the jackpot grows, interest grows with it — and history shows that near-billion-dollar prizes attract millions of new players.
Whether the prize falls or climbs even higher, the next drawing will almost certainly bring a surge of ticket sales across the country.
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