Mega Millions lotto climbs to second-highest jackpot ever

The US Mega Millions prize has grown again to an estimated US$1.35 billion ($1.95 billion) after there was no winner of the lottery's latest giant jackpot.

The numbers drawn late Tuesday night US time were: 7, 13, 14, 15, 18 and gold Mega Ball 9.

The new jackpot drawing on Friday night will be another milestone in the game, Mega Millions said in a statement early Wednesday.

READ MORE: More interest rates hikes on the cards after inflation rises again

"Now at ($1.95 billion), the Mega Millions jackpot is moving up and making history as the second highest Mega Millions jackpot ever," Pat McDonald, Ohio lottery director and lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, said in the statement.

The only Mega Millions jackpot larger than Friday's prize is the $2.21 billion won in South Carolina in 2018, Mega Millions said.

The largest jackpot in the US to date was a $2.95 billion Powerball won by a single ticket in California in November.

The estimated $1.95 billion jackpot in the next drawing would only be distributed to a winner who chooses an annuity paid over 29 years. Nearly all grand prize winners opt to take a cash payout, which for Friday night's drawing is an estimated $1.02 billion.

READ MORE: The global water cycle is changing and that spells bad news

There have been 25 drawings over three months since the last time a player matched all six numbers and claimed the jackpot.

Despite the game's long odds of one in 302.6 million, players continue to purchase tickets as the size of the grand prize grows.

Mega Millions is played in 45 US states as well as in Washington, DC, and the US Virgin Islands.

Related Posts

Mega Millions lotto climbs to second-highest jackpot ever
4/ 5
Oleh