The Mega Millions jackpot has surpassed $1 billion after all 6 numbers drawn on Christmas Eve did not match. That means the estimated jackpot for Friday’s drawing is $1.15 billion, potentially the fifth largest jackpot in the game’s history.
“We know that many people will receive tickets for Friday’s drawing as holiday gifts, and what a gift it would be if you ended up with a ticket for the $1.15 billion jackpot,” said Joshua Johnston, chief executive officer of Mega Millions. The consortium said in a statement on Wednesday.
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350, while the odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24, according to lottery officials.
Tickets for the game are sold in 45 states, including Washington, DC and the US Virgin Islands. Mega Millions tickets are $2 a piece. Half of the revenue from each ticket sale stays in the state where the ticket is sold. Drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.
“Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, or any other way people celebrate the season – I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the holidays than to help fulfill the dreams that come with an award like this. And prizes that will be won at all levels of the game,” Johnston said.