Mega Millions Jackpot Hit $1 Billion For the Fourth Time in Game’s History

The Mega Millions jackpot has risen to $1 billion after no one claimed Tuesday’s prize.

No ticket was matched to Tuesday night’s numbers, which took the prize from $810 million to $1.02 billion for Friday night’s drawing. The winning numbers were 7, 29, 60, 63, 66, and the Mega Ball 15. This is only the fourth time in lottery history that the jackpot has hit the $1 billion mark. The largest Mega Millions jackpot winning was $1.537 billion on October 23rd, 2018, for a ticket purchased in South Carolina. On January 22nd, 2021, a group of four won Michigan’s $1.05 billion jackpot.

Though the chances of winning the life-changing money are roughly 1 in 302.5 million, that does not stop people from lining up for their chance to secure the grand prize.

A handful of people came close to winning the Mega Millions. Nine tickets, according to Mega Millions, matched the first five numbers but not the Mega Ball. Several people still walked away with millions. Eight tickets across the U.S. won $1 million each after matching the first five numbers. The prize for one winning ticket purchased in Ohio matched the first five numbers, earning the player $3 million since they bought an optional Megaplier for $1 extra.

For those wanting to get in on the action, pick up a Mega Millions ticket from your local convenience store or gas station for $2 per play. You may choose five numbers between 1 and 70 and one Mega Ball number between 1 and 25. Players may also utilize the Quick Pick option, which allows the terminal to randomly select numbers for you. You can only win the billion-dollar jackpot by matching all six numbers in the drawing.

The next drawing will be Friday at 11 p.m.