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The Mega Millions jackpot has surged to a staggering $980 million, set for grabs in Friday’s highly anticipated drawing. This comes after no ticket matched all six numbers in the latest draw, lottery officials have confirmed.
The numbers drawn on Tuesday evening were 10, 13, 40, 42, and 46, with the Mega Ball number being 1.
Winners of this colossal jackpot face a choice between receiving the prize as an annuity or opting for a one-time cash payout of $445.3 million before taxes. Should there be multiple winners, the jackpot would be divided among them.
Thus far this year, the Mega Millions lottery has seen four jackpot winners. However, Friday marks the 40th drawing since the last jackpot was claimed on June 27, setting a record for the game, according to officials.
Last month, a historic $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot was split between two lucky players from Missouri and Texas, ranking among the largest lottery prizes in U.S. history. While the current Mega Millions jackpot hasn’t yet broken into the top 10 of all-time U.S. lottery jackpots, it would be the eighth-largest in Mega Millions’ history since its inception in 2002.
Where does the money go?
Tickets are $5 each and are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Half the proceeds from each Mega Millions ticket remains in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Local lottery agencies run the game in each jurisdiction and how profits are spent is dictated by law.
What are the odds of winning?
The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 290,472,336, but the odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 23.
What is problem gambling?
The National Council on Problem Gambling defines problem gambling as “gambling behavior that is damaging to a person or their family, often disrupting their daily life and career.”
It is sometimes called gambling addiction or gambling disorder, a recognized mental health diagnosis. The group says anyone who gambles can be at-risk.
Its National Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-800-522-4700, connects anyone seeking assistance with a gambling problem to local resources.
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