CLEVELAND — The monstrous Mega Millions jackpot has grown yet again, jumping to $1.35 billion ahead of the next drawing on Friday night -- and the lucky winner could be you!
But when is the cutoff time to buy a Mega Millions ticket before the next drawing? What’s the cash option if you win? What are the odds of winning the jackpot? We break down everything you need to know by answering these top questions and more below…
What is the last time I can buy a Mega Millions ticket for the Friday drawing?
The Ohio Lottery says Mega Millions ticket sales close at 10:45 p.m. EST on the day of each drawing, which happens every Tuesday and Friday.
What time is the next Mega Millions drawing?
11 p.m. EST on Friday, Aug. 4.
What is the jackpot?
The jackpot has jumped to $1.35 billion after nobody hit the $1.1 billion jackpot from the previous drawing on Tuesday, Aug. 1.
What is the cash option worth?
Winners have the choice to select a lump-sum payout, which has an estimated value of $659.5 million.
What if nobody hits the jackpot?
The prize money will increase once again before the next drawing, which will be held Tuesday, Aug. 8.
How much are Mega Millions tickets?
Each Mega Millions ticket costs $2. You can also add the Megaplier option, which gives players the chance at larger secondary prizes by paying an additional $1 per ticket.
How many numbers are there?
The game consists of white balls numbered from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Balls are numbered from 1 to 25.
Can I pick my own numbers?
Yes. There’s also an option for the machine to auto-pick for you.
What are the odds of winning the jackpot?
Jackpot (matching all five numbers with the Mega Ball): One in 302,575,350.
What are the other prizes?
Mega Millions lottery officials say there are nine ways to win money with prizes that range from the jackpot to just $2. Here are highlights of those odds:
- Jackpot: Win by matching all five white balls and the Mega Ball. The odds of winning this prize are one in 302,575,350.
- $1 million prize: Win by matching all five white balls. The odds of winning this prize are one in 12,607,306.
- $10,000 prize: Win by matching four white balls and the Mega Ball. The odds of winning this prize are one in 931,001.
- $500 prize: Win by matching four white balls. The odds of winning this prize are one in 38,792.
- $200 prize: Win by matching three white balls and the Mega Ball. The odds of winning this prize are one in 14,547.
- $10 prize: Win by matching three white balls OR by matching two white balls and the Mega Ball. The odds of winning this prize are one in 606 or one in 693.
- $4 prize: Win by matching one white ball and the Mega Ball. The odds of winning this prize are one in 89.
- $2 prize: Win by matching the Mega Ball. The odds of winning this prize are one in 37.
NOTE: Those prizes can be multiplied up to five times (excluding the jackpot) if the player purchases the $1 Power Play add-on.
What are the lucky numbers pulled in the most recent Mega Millions drawings?
Here’s a look at winning numbers from the last 10 Mega Millions drawings…
- Aug. 1, 2023: 8, 24, 30, 45, 61 and Mega Ball 12
- July 28, 2023: 5, 10, 28, 52, 63 and Mega Ball 18
- July 25, 2023: 3, 5, 6, 44, 61 and Mega Ball 25
- July 21, 2023: 29, 40, 47, 50, 57 and Mega Ball 25
- July 18, 2023: 19, 22, 31, 37, 54 and Mega Ball 18
- July 14, 2023: 10, 24, 48, 51, 66 and Mega Ball 15
- July 11, 2023: 10, 17, 33, 51, 64 and Mega Ball 5
- July 7, 2023: 8, 10, 17, 55, 66 and Mega Ball 3
- July 4, 2023: 21, 33, 54, 61, 67 and Mega Ball 12
- June 30, 2023: 13, 22, 47, 51, 55 and Mega Ball 9
What's the last big jackpot won in Ohio?
That happened during the Powerball game on April 19 when one lucky ticket sold at a GetGo in Macedonia hit the jackpot worth $252.6 million.
