Mega Millions jackpot now 3rd largest in US lottery history, growing to $1.1B ahead of next drawing

Mega Millions ticket buyers are hoping for a billion dollar windfall Friday night.

The jackpot has ballooned to more than $1.1 billion, the third largest prize ever for a U.S. lottery game.

The $1.1 billion prize is for players who get their winnings through an annuity, paid annually over 29 years. Winners can also opt for a lump sum payment option that will work out to $648.2 million

MORE: What are the odds of winning the Mega Millions lottery jackpot?

Also read: War: Russia’s Latest Decision Frustrates US Govt

The winning numbers for last Tuesday’s drawing were 7-29-60-63-66 and Mega Ball: 15.

LIST: 10 biggest Mega Millions, and Powerball jackpots won in US lottery history

Mega Millions is played every Tuesday and Friday night, In the 20-year history of the game, 221 players have scooped the Mega Millions jackpot.

Also read: Mega Millions Lottery: Jackpot Surges To $530 Million After No Winner Friday

Top five Mega Millions jackpots won

1. $1.5 billion – South Carolina, October 2018

2. $1 billion – Michigan, January 2021

3. $656 million – Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, March 2012

4. $648 million – California, Georgia, December 2013

5. $543 million – California, July 2018

Mega Millions is played in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot is 1 in 302.6 million.

WATCH | Do’s and don’ts of winning the Mega Millions lottery jackpot

If won, it will be the second largest prize in the 20-year history of Mega Millions, behind only the record $1.537 billion won on October 23, 2018. That winning ticket was sold in South Carolina, and it remains the world’s largest lottery prize ever won on a single ticket.

Wowplus contributed to this report