Mega Millions Jackpot Soars Past a Near Record $636 Million

| December 17, 2013

The estimated jackpot for Mega Millions on Dec. 17 has been increased to a whopping $636 million, flirting with the record jackpot of $656 million and becoming the second largest jackpot in American lottery history.

Strong sales are credited for the increase from the previous estimate of $586 million. The jackpot has been rolling since it was last hit in Maryland for $190 million on October 1.

It is the second-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history, and the fourth-largest ever in North America.

If one ticket matches all six numbers for the $636 million jackpot, the winner will have the choice of receiving the full jackpot in 30 annual payments, or a cash prize of approximately $341.2 million before taxes.

The current jackpot has been growing since Oct. 1, when Mega Millions had its most recent jackpot winner. The jackpot has now rolled 21 times without a top-prize winner.

Mega Millions players across Pennsylvania have won more than $5.5 million in non-jackpot prizes since this jackpot run began. In Friday’s drawing, 563,718 Mega Millions players in Pennsylvania won $1,176,730 in prizes.

This is the largest jackpot since changes were made to Mega Millions that include larger starting jackpots, a million-dollar second prize, and a new matrix of 1-75 for the first five numbers and 1-15 for the Mega Ball number. The ticket price remains $1.

Mega Millions holds the U.S. record for the largest jackpot ever, at $656 million. That jackpot on March 30, 2012, was split by three winning tickets in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland.

The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately one in 259 million. The odds of winning any of the Mega Millions prizes are approximately 1-in-15.

In Pennsylvania, Mega Millions tickets are sold until 9:59 p.m. on drawing nights.

Mega Millions tickets are sold in 43 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays. Learn more about the game online at www.megamillions.com.

How to Play Mega Millions: Mega Millions tickets cost $1 per play. Players pick five numbers from 1 to 75 and one number from 1 to 15 (the Mega Ball). Players may select their own numbers using a Mega Millions play slip, or they may opt for computer-selected quick picks.

For an extra $1 per play, players can add the Megaplier. Prior to the Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier number – ranging from two to five – is randomly selected. The Megaplier applies to non-jackpot prizes.


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