Published on: December 23, 2024, 08:47h.
Last updated on: December 23, 2024, 08:47h.
The Mega Millions Christmas Eve jackpot is expected to be a significant win for the fortunate player who manages to match the numbers on Tuesday night, overcoming odds of one in 302,575,350.
The Mega Millions jackpot has been growing since September and is now estimated at $944 million, with a cash option of $429.4 million.
If a winner emerges in tomorrow night’s drawing at 11 p.m. EST, it would be the richest lottery payout in U.S. history for December, and the seventh-richest prize in Mega Millions history.
Friday Winners
Mega Millions drawings take place twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. Last Friday saw winning numbers of 2, 20, 51, 56, and 67, with the gold Mega Ball being 19.
During the Dec. 20 drawing, more than two million tickets won various prizes. Five tickets matched the five white balls for a $1 million prize each.
Additionally, 48 tickets matched four white balls and the Mega Ball, winning $10,000 each, with 11 of them having the Megaplier for a doubled win.
The majority of winning tickets matched the gold Mega Ball, winning back the $2 entry fee, while some had the Megaplier for a $2 profit.
Mega Overhaul
Mega Millions will undergo changes soon, with the base price increasing from $2 to $5 in April 2025. The $5 ticket will now include the Megaplier, ensuring a higher return on winning tickets.
This change will not affect the odds of winning the jackpot, which remain at approximately one in 302.5 million.
On the other hand, Powerball, Mega Millions’ competitor, has no plans for price or game changes, with tonight’s jackpot estimated at $103 million.