The jackpot was an estimated $277 million with a cash option of $190.3 million, but did anyone win?
Nobody won the jackpot on Friday night, so it will roll over to Tuesday’s drawing—when it will be worth an estimated $297 million, with a cash option of $204 million.
There were also no winners of the $1 million prize, which requires matching all five winning numbers.
However, there were 22 winners of the $10,000 prize. They managed to match four numbers plus the Mega Ball and among them, six used the Megaplier, which meant that their winnings were tripled to $30,000 each.
There were also 504 winners of the $500 prize, 92 of whom played the Megaplier, while 1,298 people won $200, 258 of whom used the Megaplier. Over 737,000 tickets won at least $2.
How Does Mega Millions work?
Mega Millions is one of the most popular multi-state lotteries in the country ever since it launched on August 31, 1996 as “The Big Game.”
Tickets can be bought in 45 states, as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, there are five states which do not sell lottery tickets; Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.
Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at WSB-TV in Atlanta in which five white balls are drawn from a set numbered 1 through 70, with one gold Mega Ball drawn from a set numbered 1 through 25. There are nine different ways to win a prize and your chances of winning at least $2 are 1 in 24, according to the Mega Millions website.
Those who do end up becoming a winner, have between 90 days and one year to redeem their ticket, depending on local rules and regulations.
Those lucky enough to win the jackpot can either receive a cash option or take the annuity option of an initial payout. This is followed by 29 annual payments that are each five percent larger than the previous ones.
Play Mega Millions Responsibly
The Mega Millions website says most people can play “without ill effects” but does warn that for some, gambling of any sort “can be addictive and very damaging.”
Mega Millions backs groups like Gamblers Anonymous and the National Council on Problem Gambling.
Anyone worried about whether they or a loved one have a gambling addiction can call the National Council on Problem Gambling’s confidential 24-hour hotline on 800-522-4700.
