The jackpot for the draw on Friday 8th January will be worth an estimated $510. The top prize had been advertised at $490 million after nobody won Tuesday’s $447 million draw, but following strong sales it has now been revised and has pushed past the half-a-billion barrier.
There have only been seven other occasions in history when the jackpot has broken $500 million. Most recently it happened in June 2019, when San Diego woman Laarni Bibal pocketed $522 million.
The early days of a new year have proved to be very lucky in the past. A $450 million jackpot was paid out to a winner from Florida on 5th January 2018, while a New York ticket holder claimed $437 million on New Year’s Day 2019.
Nobody has matched all the Mega Millions numbers since someone from Wisconsin won $119 million in September. There have now been 32 rollovers in a row.
There is still a long way for the jackpot to climb until it reaches the c record for the largest of all time. Back in October 2018, a player from South Carolina anonymously claimed more than $1.5 billion.
Once the jackpot goes past $500 million, its growth accelerates until it is won as there is more demand for tickets. It’s therefore a good idea not to miss out on the chance to play right now.
You can enter the next draw by going to a retailer in any of the participating states, or even choosing your numbers online.
