After Tuesday night’s drawing did not turn up a winner, lottery players will have another chance at the third-largest jackpot in U.S. history.
The Mega Millions’ top reward rose to an estimated $970 million, the highest jackpot in more than two years. At $730 million for a draw on Wednesday night, Powerball, the other lottery game sold in much of the United States, is not far behind.
The winning numbers in the Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday night were: 10-19-26-28-50 and a Mega Ball of 16.
It’s the first time $700 million has been topped by both lottery jackpots. In 2016, a $1.58 billion Powerball jackpot won by three individuals was the largest draw.
Since Sept. 15, nobody has claimed the Mega Millions jackpot, causing the reward to grow larger and bigger over four months. The last Powerball jackpot winner was a day later, on Sept. 16.
Such big jackpots are uncommon, but both games rely on extremely long odds to generate interest and boost sales. The chances of matching all six numbers for Mega Millions are one in 302.5 million, and for Powerball, one in 292.2 million.
The prices listed are for winners who choose an annuity option, paid over 30 years. Typically, winners opt for cash prizes, which will be $716.3 million for Mega Millions and $546 million for Powerball.
Federal taxes would also be subject to such grants, and most states would also take a cut.
Mega Millions and Powerball are both played in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball also is offered in Puerto Rico.
