The Mega Millions jackpot just hit an astonishing $843 million, making it the eighth-largest prize in the game’s history. The next drawing takes place Friday at 11 p.m., and players across 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands are feeling the excitement.
This Friday’s drawing will mark the 38th straight one without a jackpot winner since the last big hit in Virginia back on June 27. That long streak actually sets a new record — the longest run without a jackpot winner since Mega Millions began in 2002. (The previous record was 37 drawings, set in January 2021, when a lucky Michigan ticket landed a $1.05 billion prize!)
💰 Some fast facts to know:
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So far, this jackpot run has produced nearly 11.7 million winning tickets at all prize levels.
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Total non-jackpot winnings have already topped $274 million — boosted by enhanced lower-tier prizes introduced last April.
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There have been 256 third-tier wins worth between $20,000 and $100,000 each.
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Even without a jackpot hit, the Nov. 4 drawing alone created 606,046 winners, totaling $12.2 million in prizes.
Earlier this year, jackpots have popped in Ohio ($112M in April), Illinois ($349M in March), Arizona ($112M in January), and Virginia ($348M in June) — proving lightning can strike anywhere.
If you’re feeling lucky, remember: odds of hitting the jackpot are 1 in 290,472,336, and tickets cost just $5 per play. Who knows — Friday night might just crown the next Mega Millions millionaire.
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