The Mega Millions jackpot dropped closer to $ 1 billion after no one matched all six figures during Tuesday night’s draw.
The winning numbers were 10, 19, 26, 28, 50 and the Mega Ball of 16. Eleven tickets correspond to the first five numbers to win at least $ 1 million. The tickets were sold in Florida, California, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington.
No one has won the Mega Millions jackpot since September, when a player in Wisconsin won $ 120 million, officials said in a statement Wednesday. It’s the longest Mega Millions to go without a big prize winner.
The jackpot now stands at $ 970 million, the third largest prize in the game’s history, officials said. The next drawing is Friday.
The winner can choose between the $ 970 million annuity option, which is granted over 30 years, or the $ 716.3 million cash option, which pays a lump sum immediately. Many usually choose the cash option, with about half of the lottery winnings amounting to tax.
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The chance to win is, according to Mega Millions officials, 1 in 302,575,360 in the 45 states where the game is played, including Washington, DC and the US Virgin Islands.
Players have a chance at another great prize. The Powerball draw is Wednesday night and $ 730 million is up for grabs.
