Mega Millions Drawing Offers Awful Odds But Huge Jackpot
DES MOINES, Iowa (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — A lucky player may soon overcome remarkably bad odds to win the nation's ninth-largest lottery jackpot.
Numbers will be drawn Friday night for a chance at the estimated $548 million Mega Millions prize. The jackpot has grown since July, when a group of California office workers won $543 million.
It only costs $2 to play the game, but the odds of instant wealth aren't good. The chance of matching all six numbers and winning the jackpot is one in 302.5 million.
The $548 million jackpot refers to the annuity option, paid out over 29 years. Most winners opt for cash, which for Friday night's drawing would be an estimated $309 million.
Mega Millions is played in 44 states including Texas as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
| Amount |
Date |
Winning Tickets |
| $656 million | 3/30/2012 | 3-IL, KS, MD |
| $648 million | 12/17/2013 | 2-CA, GA |
| $548 million (est) | 10/12/2018 | ? |
| $543 million | 7/24/2018 | 1-CA |
| $536 million | 7/8/2016 | 1-IN |
| $533 million | 3/30/2018 | 1-NJ |
| $451 million | 1/5/2018 | 1-FL |
| $414 million | 3/18/2014 | 2-FL, MD |
| $393 million | 8/11/2017 | 1-IL |
| $390 million | 3/6/2007 | 2-GA, NJ |
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