March 28, 2012

Mega Millions® Jackpot Jumps to $500 Million

Due to high sales, the Mega Millions® jackpot increased to a half a billion dollars for Friday night's drawing.  This is the largest Mega Millions® jackpot in the history of the game and the largest jackpot ever seen in the United States.  The previous record high Mega Millions jackpot was $390 million won in 2007.

If the jackpot gets hit on Friday and the winner chooses the annuity option, the $500 million jackpot would be paid over 26 years in equal installments.  If the winner chooses the cash option, the lump sum payment is estimated at $359.4 million!

There have been 18 consecutive draws without a jackpot winner since the current run began on January 27, 2012.

All players should sign the back of their tickets immediately upon purchase and put them in a safe place.  The tickets are the only claim to a prize.