The Mega Millions frenzy is gaining traction once again, as the jackpot for the upcoming Tuesday drawing has soared to an enticing $61 million. This spike in the jackpot comes after no ticket matched all six numbers in Friday night’s draw.
As ever, the winning numbers were revealed shortly after 11 p.m. ET on Friday night, with results now available for all hopefuls across the nation. Had a lucky participant clinched the jackpot in Friday’s draw, they would have walked away with an estimated cash payout of $22.6 million after taxes, according to lottery officials.
So far this year, two individuals have struck gold by winning the Mega Millions jackpot. In March, a player from New Jersey astounded the nation by winning a staggering $1.13 billion. Just last week, another fortunate player from Illinois claimed a hefty $552 million jackpot. Their stories continue to spark hope and dreams for millions of lottery players across the country.
As the excitement builds for Tuesday’s $61 million jackpot, let’s take a look at last Friday’s winning numbers. The numbers drawn were: 1, 25, 26, 31, 65 with the Megaball being 2. Additionally, the Megaplier for the draw was 3X, which could potentially multiply the winnings of those who participated with a Megaplier ticket.
This news segment on winning lottery numbers is proudly sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, which aims to make lottery participation an easy and exciting experience for everyone.
In a heartwarming side story, a Florida couple recently won a $1 million lottery prize just before the birth of their first child, making headlines and adding a layer of personal joy to their good fortune. As they prepare to welcome their new family member, many Mega Millions players are preparing their tickets for Tuesday’s drawing in hopes of a similar windfall.
Despite no jackpot winner emerging from Friday’s draw, one lucky participant from New Jersey managed to match all the white ball numbers for the Match 5, earning themselves a very respectable $1 million prize.
.
Mega Millions tickets can be purchased from a variety of locations including local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. A handful of states also allow online ticket purchases. To get involved, players need to select six numbers: five white balls ranging from 1 to 70, and one gold Mega Ball from 1 to 25. For those feeling uncertain about their number-picking ability, the “Quick Pick” or “Easy Pick” options automatically generate random numbers.
For an additional $1, players can add the “Megaplier” to their ticket, which can significantly increase non-jackpot winnings by multiplying them by two, three, four, or even five times, depending on the Megaplier drawn. The Megaplier itself is selected prior to the main Mega Millions numbers on both Tuesday and Friday nights.
Purchasers can buy tickets from various in-person locations like gas stations, convenience stores, and some airport terminals. Alternatively, Jackpocket, as the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, provides an online service for purchasing tickets. The Jackpocket app lets users choose their lottery game and numbers, place orders, view tickets, and even collect winnings via their smartphone or computer. This service is available in several U.S. states including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.
It’s important to note that Jackpocket operates as an independent entity, not affiliated with any State Lottery, and offers additional resources for those struggling with gambling issues. All participants must meet age requirements, and terms of service can be found on Jackpocket’s website.
As we approach Tuesday’s drawing, the growing excitement around the $61 million Mega Millions jackpot is palpable. For many, winning such a substantial prize seems like a far-fetched dream, but as we’ve seen this year, dreams do come true for a lucky few.
Be sure to get your tickets in time, whether buying them in person or through the convenient Jackpocket app, and join in the anticipation as the next Mega Millions drawing approaches. Good luck to all!
