The Mega Millions frenzy is reaching new heights as the next drawing on Tuesday, August 8, is poised to challenge the game’s record jackpot of $1.537 billion. The estimated jackpot is an astonishing $1.55 billion, with a cash option worth $757.2 million. The excitement among players across the country, including many newcomers, is palpable, as there’s a strong possibility of setting a new Mega Millions record. However, accurately predicting the final jackpot amount remains a challenge, given the game’s complexity at such levels.
Gretchen Corbin, the Georgia Lottery President, CEO, and lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, expressed her enthusiasm about the jackpot’s growth and extended gratitude to players and retailers for their unwavering support. The proceeds from ticket sales benefit various good causes and boost the lottery retailers involved in selling the game.
During this ongoing jackpot run, substantial revenues have been generated for good causes, and tens of millions of winning tickets have been distributed to players. In the last 31 drawings since the previous jackpot wins in New York on April 18, over 36.6 million winning tickets have been awarded, ranging from smaller prizes of $2 to more significant sums of up to $5 million. The winners span 27 different jurisdictions nationwide, showcasing the game’s popularity.
The latest drawing on August 4 was no exception, distributing a staggering 5,331,114 winning tickets across all prize levels. Nine tickets matched the five white balls to secure the game’s second-tier prize. Two of these lucky tickets were worth $2 million each, thanks to the optional Megaplier feature, available in most states for an additional $1 purchase. The Megaplier was set at 2X for this drawing. The two $2 million winning tickets were sold in Michigan and Tennessee.
Additionally, one Match 5-winning ticket, without the Megaplier, was sold in Tennessee, earning the ticket holder a standard $1 million second-tier prize. In total, six other tickets from different states – Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, and Texas – each won $1 million, showcasing the widespread nature of the winnings.
Further, 128 tickets matched four white balls plus the Mega Ball, securing the third-tier prize. Among these, 24 tickets with the optional Megaplier won $20,000 each, while the other 104 won the standard prize of $10,000 each.
The current year has seen an unprecedented number of jackpot winners in less than four months, a rarity in the world of lotteries. The trend began with a massive $1.348 billion jackpot won in Maine on January 13, the second-largest prize in Mega Millions history. The momentum continued with three rapid wins: a $20 million prize in New York on January 17, followed by $33 million in Massachusetts on January 24. Astonishingly, Massachusetts scored another jackpot win just two drawings later, this time at $31 million. New York joined the winner’s circle once again, with back-to-back jackpots of $483 million on April 14, followed by $20 million on April 18, marking the first time in Mega Millions history that two jackpots were won consecutively in the same state.
As the jackpot continues to climb, the Mega Millions craze shows no signs of slowing down. Players from all corners of the country eagerly await the Tuesday drawing to see if the current jackpot will make history by surpassing the previous record and reaching an unparalleled $1.55 billion. The Mega Millions dream, available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands is captivating millions, and its impact on good causes and winning fortunes continues to be felt nationwide.