Due to high sales, officials in the states participating in the Mega Millions Lotto game have increased the estimated jackpot amount for the Friday drawing to $1 billion or $739.6 million with the cash option selected.
The Mega Millions jackpot starts at $20 million and continues to grow each drawing until it is won. There have been 36 consecutive Mega Millions drawings since September 18 without a jackpot winner. This run has grown the estimated jackpot for the Friday drawing to the second largest jackpot in Mega Millions history.
The largest Mega Millions jackpot on record occurred in October 2018 when one ticket was sold in South Carolina for a $1.537 billion jackpot.
Mega Millions jackpot winners have two options for collecting their payment: 30 annuity payments or one cash payment at present value. The annuity option provides annual payments that increase each year. The present cash value is less than the advertised jackpot, which is based on the 29-year annuity option. Winning Mega Millions numbers are announced every Tuesday and Friday at 10:00 p.m. Central Time and posted at the Nebraska Lottery website, nelottery.com.