The jackpot for the Friday night Mega Millions drawing has risen to $180 million after no player matched all the winning numbers in the drawing Tuesday night.
The numbers Tuesday night were 22, 39, 56, 67 and 71 with the Mega Ball number at 15.
Four players who bought a ticket in Michigan won $5,000 on Tuesday, but no greater prizes were awarded.
By far, Friday night won’t be the largest jackpot in American history. On March 30, 2012 three jackpot-winning tickets were sold in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland. The amount of $656 million made not only Mega Millions history, but also American lottery history. All three tickets were claimed and each winner chose the cash option at $158 million.
The largest lone-winning ticket occurred on March 25, 2011. It was set at $319 million.
Mega Millions, as well as Powerball, are currently available in 43 states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands. Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, and Utah do not operate or allow a state lottery by either law or state constitutional mandate.
Even though the odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 258,890,850, lottery players still fight the odds and dream about how different their lives would be after winning.
All I want in life is for my car radio to be fixed.. and win the Mega Millions which is estimated to be only like $180 million right now.
— Austin Goodman (@LilGood_Man) August 20, 2014
Well since I didn't win the Mega Millions last night I guess I will be going to work today. #HelloDicksSportingGoods
— Kylie Klim (@Ky_Klim22) August 20, 2014
But lottery players should also be aware of scams. Fraud Watch International lists approximately 380 known lottery scam operatives around the world. Players should be wary of any letter or email they receive advising that they have won a lottery prize, being asked to pay up-front fees for taxes or legal fees, or receiving a collect call from anyone claiming to be a lottery official.
Players should also remember to buy tickets only from authorized lottery retailers and to never purchase tickets from foreign lotteries by phone or by mail.
The Friday night Mega Millions drawing will be held at 11pm ET/ 8pm PT.