There was no winner of the jackpot in the Mega Millions drawing held on Tuesday.
The grand prize is now projected to reach approximately $740 million, with a cash option of $366.3 million available for the next drawing on Friday night, as stated on the Mega Millions website.
This marks the seventh largest Mega Millions jackpot to date and the 16th largest in U.S. lottery history.
The last time the jackpot was won was on June 4, when a ticket purchased in Illinois claimed $552 million, which stands as the ninth largest Mega Millions prize.
Big Wins in Kansas and Michigan
Two tickets sold in Kansas and Michigan matched the five white balls, earning each holder a prize of $1 million. Additionally, 32 tickets matched four white balls and the Megaball, with 21 winning $10,000 and 11 winning $40,000 with the Megaplier.
Winning Numbers for September 3
The winning numbers for the Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, were: 12 – 41 – 43 – 52 – 55, and the Megaball was 9. The Megaplier was 4x.
Next Drawing
Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.
How to Play Mega Millions
A ticket for Mega Millions costs $2, with an option to add the Megaplier for an additional $1, increasing potential prizes by up to five times, excluding the jackpot.
Players choose five numbers from 1 to 70 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 25 for the Mega Ball. Alternatively, they can opt for a Quick Pick, where numbers are generated randomly. Players do not need to be U.S. citizens or residents of the state where they buy their tickets.
Winning a Prize in Mega Millions
Players can win $2 just by matching the Mega Ball. For matching all five white balls, the payout is up to $1 million, except in California. Complete details on prize payouts are available on the Mega Millions website.
Where to Buy Lottery Tickets
Lottery tickets can be bought at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell tickets. Additionally, tickets can be ordered online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier for the USA TODAY Network, in select states.
Deadline for Buying Tickets
The deadline for purchasing Mega Millions tickets varies by state, often ranging from 15 minutes to over an hour before the drawing. Some lottery apps may have deadlines up to two hours prior. For example, in New Jersey, Jackpocket has a cutoff of 9:15 p.m. for the 11 p.m. ET drawing.
Odds of Winning
While playing Mega Millions can be thrilling, it’s important to remember the odds: 302,575,350-to-1 for the jackpot and 12,607,306-to-1 to match all five white balls.
Cash Option Explained
U.S. lotteries provide two options for jackpot payouts: annuity and cash. The annuity pays out in annual increments, with an initial payment followed by 29 payments that increase by 5% each year. The cash option, considerably less than the advertised jackpot, is paid as a lump sum allowing winners immediate access to their winnings.
Anonymity for Jackpot Winners
In some states, such as New Jersey, winners can choose to remain anonymous following a law enacted by Governor Phil Murphy. In other states, however, winners’ information is publicly available. It’s advisable to consult state lottery regulations for specifics.
Top Mega Millions Jackpots
The list of the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots reflects the highest amounts ever won. Similarly, the largest jackpots across Powerball and Mega Millions provide a perspective on lottery winnings in the U.S.
Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, allows users to play and manage their lottery tickets conveniently.