The Mega Millions jackpot is generating excitement this holiday season as it has now reached a staggering $825 million. In the recent drawing, no tickets were able to match the winning numbers—56, 66, 67, 68, 69, and the Mega Ball 18—resulting in this impressive prize accumulation. However, there were several fortunate winners; notably, four tickets matched five out of the six numbers, earning them a $1 million prize each. Two of these winning tickets were purchased in California, while one was sold in Louisiana and one in Oklahoma.
Additionally, a ticket sold in North Carolina matched all five numbers along with the megaplier, allowing the holder to take home a remarkable $4 million. Other prizes included tickets that matched four numbers and the Mega Ball, with winnings reaching up to $40,000. A significant number of tickets—38 to be exact—won $10,000 each, with three of those winners coming from Illinois as reported by the state’s lottery officials.
Looking ahead, the next Mega Millions drawing is set for Friday, December 20, with the current estimated jackpot at $825 million. The cash option for the winner stands at $382.2 million. Should someone win this impressive jackpot, it would not only mark the largest December prize ever but also rank as the seventh largest in the history of Mega Millions.
Historically, during December, there have been a total of 13 Mega Millions jackpots since the game’s inception in 2002, a majority of which were won prior to Christmas. It’s interesting to note that although drawings have been held on Christmas Day in the past, no one has ever won the jackpot on that day.
This year has seen a lower frequency of wins, with only three jackpots claimed so far, making it the lowest number of wins in a single year since the game’s launch.
As the anticipation builds for Friday’s drawing, players are reminded that tickets can be purchased for $2 each, though ticket prices are expected to increase significantly in 2025.
In summary, the Mega Millions jackpot has quickly risen, capturing the attention of hopeful players, especially during the festive season. The prospect of winning such a substantial amount is both exhilarating and inspiring, igniting dreams of what could be transformed with such a windfall.