The Ultimate Jackpot: Mega Millions Soars to $489 Million without a Grand Prize Winner

The Mega Millions jackpot grew to an estimated $489 million as no winning tickets matched the numbers in the latest draw. Despite no jackpot winner, a California player secured $1 million, while a Texan took home $3 million. The upcoming drawing offers a chance to win the $489 million prize or opt for a $226.4 million cash alternative. Mega Millions enthusiasts eagerly await the next drawing on Tuesday.

Ken Avery May 25, 2024

Are you feeling lucky? Well, if you didn’t hit the jackpot in the recent Mega Millions drawing, fear not because the stakes are getting even higher. The Mega Millions jackpot has ballooned to an eye-watering estimated $489 million after no tickets managed to match the winning numbers plus the Mega ball in the latest Friday night’s drawing.

The winning numbers that slipped through everyone’s fingers on Friday night were 46, 54, 56, 67, and 70, with the elusive Mega ball number being 16. To add a little extra spice to the mix, the Megaplier was 3X. Although the main jackpot remained intact, there were still some lucky souls who managed to snag some serious cash. One fortunate player in California matched all five white balls to pocket a cool $1 million, while another player in Texas struck gold by matching all five white balls along with the Megaplier, walking away with a jaw-dropping $3 million.

Now, all eyes are on the upcoming Mega Millions drawing scheduled for Tuesday, where the grand prize is expected to swell to an enticing $489 million. If you’re not into delayed gratification, there’s always the cash option of $226.4 million that comes with the territory. Most winners tend to opt for the cash prize instead of the annuity, which is paid out as one immediate lump sum followed by 29 annual payments. After all, who doesn’t love a windfall of cash in one go?

But let’s not kid ourselves here; the odds of clinching that grand prize are nothing short of astronomical, standing at a mind-boggling 1 in 302,575,350. Yes, you read that right – it’s as close to a one-in-a-million shot as you can get. The Mega Millions jackpot hasn’t been claimed since March 26, when a lucky individual in New Jersey hit the jackpot, walking away with a staggering $1.13 billion – the fifth-largest jackpot in the game’s history.

The Mega Millions game is no small fry either, being played in 45 states across the US, along with Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you’re feeling the itch to try your luck, remember that the deadline for purchasing a ticket is 9:45 p.m. on the night of the Tuesday and Friday draws. So, get those lucky numbers ready and who knows, you might just be the next big winner making headlines and living the dream.