Unprecedented Jackpot Height

The Mega Millions jackpot has reached a historic milestone, surpassing the $1 billion mark following the absence of a winner in the latest drawing on Friday night. The upcoming Tuesday drawing is poised to offer an estimated grand prize of $1.1 billion, marking it as the fifth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history and the seventh-largest across all U.S. lottery games.

Previous Estimates and Winning Numbers

Initially projected at $977 million, the jackpot grew substantially before Friday’s drawing. The winning numbers for the draw were 3-8-31-35-44, with the Mega Ball being 16 and a MegaPlier of 3x.

Multiple Million-Dollar Winners

Although the jackpot remained unclaimed, six lucky individuals secured significant prizes, each winning at least $1 million. Tickets sold in California, Florida, Illinois, Nebraska, and Texas matched the five white ball numbers, earning their holders $1 million each. Additionally, a ticket purchased in Virginia claimed $2 million by also matching the Megaplier.

Cash Prize Details

For those opting for the cash prize, which is the choice of most jackpot winners, the sum stands at an impressive $525.8 million for the upcoming drawing.

Recent Jackpot History

The Mega Millions jackpot has eluded winners since December 8, 2023, when two tickets shared a $394 million grand prize. However, 2023 saw several substantial jackpots, with two Mega Millions and one Powerball jackpot each exceeding $1 billion.

Odds and Drawing Schedule

The odds of clinching the jackpot remain steep, at one in 302,575,350. Mega Millions drawings occur every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. Eastern Time.

Mega Millions Winning Numbers – March 22, 2024

The winning numbers for the recent draw were 3-8-31-35-44, with the Mega Ball being 16 and a MegaPlier of 3x.

Largest US Lottery Jackpots in History

• $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022 (one ticket, from California)
• $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, August 8, 2023 (one ticket, from Florida)
• $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016 (three tickets, from California, Florida, Tennessee)
• $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018 (one ticket, from South Carolina)
• $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023 (one ticket, from Maine)
• $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022 (one ticket, from Illinois)
• $1.1 billion (estimated), Mega Millions, March 26, 2024
• $1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023 (one ticket, from California)
• $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021 (one ticket, from Michigan)
• $842.4 million, Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024 (one ticket, from Michigan)

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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