Right before Christmas last year, the Mega Millions jackpot rose up to a nearly record-setting $648 million, two winners wound up splitting the prize. Then in March of 2014, the Mega Millions jackpot hit $414 million, two other lucky winners chopped that pot. The jackpots since March have not climbed to astronomical heights, however, the $160 million up for grabs tomorrow night isn’t a bad payday.
After no one hit all five numbers plus the Mega Ball on Friday night, tomorrow night’s jackpot increased from $144 million to $160 million. The cash option will be around $95 million. The current jackpot is a result of no top prize winners for 14 consecutive drawings, dating back to July 1. The Mega Millions runs every Tuesday and Friday night. A minimum of $5 million is added to the kitty every time a drawing results without a big winner.
Even though a player did not walk away with the jackpot on Friday night, one person did take home $1,000,000. In order to win the cool million, a player must match all five white Mega Million balls. In order to win the whole enchilada, a player must match all five white Mega Millions balls plus the gold Mega Ball.
A big congrats to our latest $1 MILLION #MegaMillions prize winners Stephen, Marsha & Craig Bevis of Johnston! pic.twitter.com/c5SN18T7QG
— Iowa Lottery (@ialottery) August 18, 2014
Additionally, 38 players matched four of the five numbers and the Mega Ball which earned them $5,000. Of those 38 winners, five were purchased with the Megaplier option (doubles the cash prize), so those five winners took home $10,000 each.
Friday’s Mega Millions numbers were: 16, 19, 28, 29, and 68. The gold Mega Ball number was 9. The Megaplier number was 2.
You can buy a Mega Millions ticket in 43 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You do not have to be a resident in one those areas to purchase a ticket. It still only costs a buck to play.
If you’re feeling lucky, Mega Millions runs every Tuesday and Friday night at 11 pm.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
