The $449 million jackpot is worth $313 million if a victor chooses an immediate cash payout instead of an initial payment and then 29 annual payments, according to the Mega Millions website. Lottery officials say he chose the cash option payout when he bought his ticket and walks away with $9.8 million.
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A victor is determined if a bettor gets all six winning numbers. Mega Millions tickets cost $1 each, as opposed to the $2 Powerball game.
The game’s two largest jackpots are $656 million in March 2012 and $648 million in December 2013.
In addition to the large jackpot prize, players have the opportunity to win lower-tier prizes ranging from $1 to $5 million by matching any of the non-jackpot-winning combinations.
Those numbers were: 20, 41, 42, 45, and 49 – Mega Ball: 14.
The jackpot has slowing been growing since Michael Burkett from Washington won $157 million on March 8.
Powerball follows on Saturday, selecting numbers for a $243 million jackpot.
The $415 million jackpot is the fourth largest in the game’s history, offering a single game victor the option of walking away with a cash option, lump sum payment of $286 million. Mega Millions’ jackpot prize begins at $15 million then increases by $5 million every draw when there are no lucky winners.
The drawing takes place during the 11 p.m. news Friday and will be broadcast live on WABC-7.
Players can meet the Mega Millions mascot at this event!
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The odds of winning Mega Millions are better than Powerball, but they are still steep. Players pick five numbers from 1 to 47 plus a Mega number from 1 to 27.
