Could today’s date be your golden ticket to an immediate meteoric rise in wealth? Well, the Mega Millions lottery pot has bloomed to an astonishing $45 million, with a pure cash option valued at $20.8 million. All according to the official information available on the Mega Millions website, is up for grabs just there for the taking for whoever nails tonight’s drawing.
When was this massive pot of wealth claimed last? Well, rewind back to March 26, where a fortunate New Jersey resident stumbled upon riches of monumental magnitude, snagging $1.12 billion, thereby charting the fifth-largest win in the annals of Mega Millions history.
Meanwhile, the Powerball jackpot is another extravaganza awaiting someone, with a prize sum of $1.09 billion for Wednesday evening’s drawing and a liquid cash option of $527.3 million, corroborated by the official Powerball web platform.
An inquisitive lottery enthusiast might now be twitching with curiosity – what were the winning numbers for the Mega Millions drawing on April 2, 2024? Set your pulse to rest; the lucky combination that trumped all was: 10 – 50 – 56 – 60 – 66 and Megaball 19, with a Megaplier of 3x.
Ah, the unmistakable adrenaline rush of anticipation when each number is drawn, the overwhelming excitement of the game! The Mega Millions drawing event happens twice every week, Tuesday and Friday, at 11 p.m. ET. The lottery ticket cost? A mere $2, an additional $1 can get you the Megaplier, a magical multiplier that can pump up your potential winnings by up to five times (jackpot stays the same, however).
You choose five numbers ranging from 1 to 70 for the white balls, and one number from 1 to 25 for the Mega Ball. Not big on number picking? Allow the lottery machine to do it for you with a randomly generated Quick Pick. Just know you do not need to be a U.S. citizen or a resident of a particular state to purchase a ticket. As for prize matching, you can be a winner by matching just one – the Mega Ball, and walk away with $2. Matching all five white balls, however, could see you up to $1 million richer (a bit different in California). Full prize details can be accessed on the Mega Millions website.
Mega Millions is playable in 45 states, including the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sorry to residents of Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah, this opportunity is not available in your states.
Where to acquire those golden tickets? Physical locations like gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores got you covered. Certain airport terminals also sell lottery tickets. Can’t make the trip or prefer the digital realm? Visit Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of several U.S. states including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.
Planning on buying a Mega Millions ticket? Don’t push it to the last second. The deadline varies state by state, usually falling within an hour or so before the actual drawing. Some third-party lottery apps might have earlier deadlines. In case of Jackpocket for example, in New Jersey, the ticket purchase window closes at 9:15 p.m. for the 11 p.m. ET drawing.
A word of caution: don’t start shopping for a yacht just yet. The odds of winning the jackpot stand at 302,575,350-to-1. For matching all five white balls, the odds drop to a still staggering 12,607,306-to-1.
Now, to the uninitiated, the term ‘cash option’ appears on many lottery platforms. U.S. major lotteries present two jackpot payout options: annuity and cash. The annuity option trickles down the winnings over time— an immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments, each 5% larger than the last. The cash option appears to be a smaller sum than the advertised jackpot, yet it is paid in one go- no waiting over decades necessary.
Some states, like New Jersey, permit winners to retain anonymity under a law backed by Gov. Phil Murphy. In other states, a jackpot winner’s name and place of residence become public record. Check your state’s lottery terms for specifics.
Finally, indulge me in outlining the top 10 largest Mega Millions jackpots ever snagged:
$1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023: Pennsylvania luck smiled on someone in Florida.
$1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018: South Carolina had its own lottery aristocrat.
$1.348 billion, Jan. 13, 2023: Maine celebrated a new lottery billionaire.
$1.337 billion, July 29, 2022: Meanwhile in Illinois.
$1.128 billion, March 26, 2024: A New Jersey enthusiast joined the club.
$1.05 billion, Jan. 22, 2021: Cue the sirens in Michigan.
$656 million, March 30, 2012: A trio of winners spanning Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland.
$648 million, Dec. 17, 2013: Two simultaneous victors, both from California, Georgia.
$543 million, July 24, 2018: California saw another mega win.
$536 million, July 8, 2016: A lucky individual in Indiana.
To wrap up, let’s walk down memory lane to revisit the 20 largest jackpots ever claimed in the U.S. The top of the heap was claimed on Nov. 7, 2022, where a Powerball of $2.04 billion was won in California.
So, there you have it. Despite the seemingly astronomical odds, the allure of the Mega Millions and Powerball billions continues to capture the imagination of millions across the U.S. After all, where else do you stand a chance to become an overnight billionaire?