Title: Billion-Dollar Jackpot Remains Unclaimed, Phoenix Players Win $10k in Mega Millions
Three lucky lottery players from the metro Phoenix area cashed in big with a $10,000 prize in the latest Mega Millions drawing, while the highly anticipated billion-dollar jackpot went unclaimed. The winning numbers for the Tuesday night draw were 8, 24, 30, 45, and 61, with the gold Mega Ball being 12.
Outlets in the Valley region of Phoenix sold tickets that matched four numbers and the Mega Ball, earning lucky winners $10,000 each. Meanwhile, a Texas player emerged as the biggest winner of the game, taking home an impressive $4 million prize.
Although the billion-dollar jackpot remained elusive, it rolled over once again and is now estimated to reach a staggering $1.25 billion for the upcoming Friday draw. Should this grand prize be won, it will secure its place as the fourth-largest prize in the history of Mega Millions. The estimated cash value of the jackpot stands at a remarkable $625.3 million.
Mega Millions is a popular twice-weekly lottery game available in 45 states, including Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Players can participate by purchasing a ticket for $2 and have the option to add the Megaplier for an additional $1. The Megaplier can multiply non-jackpot winnings by factors of two, three, four, or five, with the amount selected randomly before each drawing.
It is worth noting that no tickets have successfully matched all five numbers along with the Mega Ball since April 18, spanning across a total of 30 consecutive draws.
Although the current Mega Millions jackpot stands as the sixth-largest in U.S. lottery history, it trails behind the unparalleled record of $2.04 billion for a Powerball prize won by a single ticket sold in California back in November 2022. The highest Mega Millions jackpot ever claimed amounted to an astounding $1.537 billion and was won by a single ticket holder in South Carolina in October 2018.
The United States has witnessed four previous Mega Millions jackpots surpassing the $1 billion mark and three Powerball jackpots that achieved a similar feat.
To provide some perspective, here is a list of the ten largest jackpots in U.S. lottery history, including their respective amounts, games, dates, and the states involved:
1. $2.04 billion – Powerball – November 2022 – California
2. $1.586 billion – Powerball – January 2016 – California, Florida, and Tennessee
3. $1.537 billion – Mega Millions – October 2018 – South Carolina
4. $1.586 billion – Powerball – January 2016 – California, Florida, and Tennessee
5. $1 billion – Mega Millions – January 2021 – Michigan
6. $970 million – Mega Millions – January 2021 – Michigan
7. $768.4 million – Powerball – March 2019 – Wisconsin
8. $758.7 million – Powerball – August 2017 – Massachusetts
9. $687.8 million – Powerball – October 2018 – Iowa, New York
10. $656 million – Mega Millions – March 2012 – Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
As anticipation builds for the next Mega Millions drawing, countless hopefuls will be looking to secure their tickets and participate in the chance of a lifetime. Despite the staggering odds, dreams of striking it rich continue to captivate the nation as players await the announcement of the lucky winning numbers.
