The Mega Millions jackpot last night (Tuesday) was estimated at $24 million, with a cash value of $19.7 million. But did anyone manage to win the top prize last night?
The winning numbers were 8, 22, 29, 43 and 56 according to the Mega Millions website. The Mega Ball was 9 and the Megaplier was 4x.
There were no lucky winners of the big prize last night as no tickets purchased matched all white numbers and the gold Mega Ball, meaning the grand prize will roll over to the next drawing on Friday.
But two people did successfully match all five white balls to win a seven-figure payout. A ticket purchased in New York matched all five numbers, but not the Mega Ball, to win $1 million. The other ticket, purchased in Texas, matched the same number and was also purchased with the 4x Megaplier, meaning their payout is quadrupled to $4 million.
There were a further seven tickets purchased that matched four of the white balls and the gold Mega Ball, thus winning $10,000. One of those winners had also purchased the additional 4x Megaplier to increase the size of their prize to $30,000.
As the jackpot wasn't won, it now increases in size to roughly $31 million for the next drawing at 11pm E.T. on Friday, August 14.
The previous Mega Ball lottery before last night was held on Friday, August 7. The top prize for the previous drawing was $22 million, with the winning numbers being 4, 44, 53, 64 and 70 with a Mega Ball of 3 and the Megaplier being 2x.
There were no jackpot winners in that drawing either, nor was there a ticket sold that matched all five white balls to secure the second-biggest payout of $1 million.
The last time the jackpot was won was back on July 31, when a winning ticket purchased in California matched all numbers and the gold Mega Ball to scoop the $22 million top prize.
How does Mega Millions work?
Mega Millions is a hugely popular multi-state lottery that is played across America. First launched on August 31, 1996, tickets are sold in 45 states, as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Draws are held every Tuesday and Friday at WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia.
Five white balls are drawn from a set of balls numbered 1 through 70, with one gold Mega Ball drawn from a set of balls numbered 1 through 25. With nine different ways to win a prize, your chances of winning at least $2 are 1 in 24, according to the Mega Millions website.
If you are a lucky winner, you will have between 90 days and one year to redeem your ticket, depending on local rules and regulations. All jackpot winners are entitled to either a cash option or an annuity option of an initial payout followed by 29 annual payments that are each five percent larger than the previous ones. All prizes are subject to income taxes.
Why is the Mega Millions prize so low?
Jackpots used to always start at $40 million, but from April 3 this has been reduced to $20 million. Minimum jackpot increases of $5 million for each roll were also eliminated.
A press release from the Mega Millions Consortium at the time said the changes "are in direct response to slowing sales during the current global pandemic."
Gordon Medenica, Lead Director of the Mega Millions Consortium, further explained the decision to KENS.
"Typical sales patterns have been altered because the current health crisis has required people to stay home," he said.
"We are concerned, first and foremost, with everyone's health and well-being. Meanwhile, these adjustments will allow the states and jurisdictions that sell Mega Millions tickets to continue generating much-needed revenue to support state budgets."
