As the anticipation builds for the next Mega Millions drawing, potential winners are planning their purchases with the jackpot now sitting at an impressive $284 million. The significant prize comes after no ticket matched all the winning numbers from the previous draw on Tuesday. The lottery officials have confirmed that the draw on Tuesday night, which took place promptly at 11 p.m. ET, did not produce a jackpot winner, and hence the substantial increase.
If lady luck smiles upon a participant this Friday, they could be in for a life-changing experience with an estimated cash payout of $127.6 million after federal taxes are accounted for. Such a monumental win could place the potential winner in a similar league as the fortunate New Jersey player who, back in March, scooped the first Mega Millions jackpot of the year, an eye-watering $1.13 billion.
For those who participated in the Tuesday, April 30 Mega Millions draw, the numbers to check against their tickets were 10, 18, 27, 37, and 61, with the Mega Ball number being 5 and the Megaplier being 3X. It’s a moment of high hopes and crossed fingers, as players look to see if they managed to match any of the winning combinations.
Despite the absence of a jackpot triumph, the Tuesday draw was not without its winners. The Mega Millions officials reported that Match 5 winners emerged from California, Mississippi, and New York, signaling that luck was still in the air. To discover more about previous winners or if you could be next, visiting the Mega Millions website would be the best port of call.
For those eager to try their hand at winning the jackpot, tickets can be acquired at local retail locations such as convenience stores, gas stations, or supermarkets. A select few states even offer the convenience of online ticket purchases. To participate, selection of six numbers is required: five numbers from a pool of white balls numbered 1 to 70 and one number for the gold Mega Ball between 1 and 25.
For those who feel the daunting weight of choosing winning numbers against the odds, there’s the option of opting for a “Quick Pick” or “Easy Pick,” wherein the lottery terminal randomly generates the selections.
In a bid to magnify their winnings, players can include the Megaplier feature for an additional dollar, potentially multiplying non-jackpot winnings by two to five times. There are 15 Megaplier balls to add a layer of intrigue before the main Mega Millions numbers are drawn on Tuesday and Friday evenings.
Those opting for physical ticket purchases can do so before the draw at various authorized outlets, including gas stations, convenience stores, and even some airport terminals. On the other hand, the digital age provides the convenience of online ticket sales through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. These services are available in an array of U.S. states and territories, including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. With the Jackpocket app, you can effortlessly select your game, numbers, order tickets, and collect winnings, all from the convenience of your phone or computer.
Jackpocket’s alliance with the USA TODAY Network underlines the seamless integration between modern technology and the age-old thrill of the lottery. Much like any form of gambling, participants are reminded to play responsibly. With the Mega Millions jackpot reaching stellar heights, it is a waiting game to see who, if anyone, will emerge victorious come Friday’s draw. The rising jackpot is a testament to the enduring allure of the lottery—a blend of chance, hope, and the dream of a life-changing windfall.
