Neil Watson
Nebraska Lottery
Lincoln, NE – February 29, 2024 – Two big jackpots are up for grabs in the next Mega Millions® and Powerball® drawings. Because of these high jackpots, the Nebraska Lottery reminds customers to play responsibly.
A string of drawings without a jackpot winner has grown the estimated Mega Millions jackpot to its highest level since December 2023. There have been 23 consecutive drawings since December 12 without a jackpot winner. This run has grown the estimated jackpot for the Friday, March 1 drawing to $607 million or $286.9 million with the cash option selected. This is the 8th largest jackpot in Mega Millions history.
Powerball has also seen its jackpot grow over the last few months. There have been 25 drawings since January 3 without a jackpot winner. The estimated jackpot for the Saturday, March 2 drawing is $443 million or $210.3 million with the cash option selected.
The dual jackpot runs have produced some large Nebraska winners.
- A $50,000 Powerball winning ticket for the February 10 drawing was sold at Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh #5, 7930 Cass St, Omaha.
- A $10,000 Mega Millions winning ticket for the February 9 drawing was sold at Sackers, 105 S First St, Hay Springs.
- A $10,000 Mega Millions winning ticket for the February 6 drawing was sold at Casey's #3817, 18280 Wright St, Omaha.
- A $10,000 Mega Millions winning ticket for the February 6 drawing was sold at Hy-Vee Food Store #1185, 840 E 23rd St, Fremont.
- A $50,000 Powerball winning ticket for the February 3 drawing was sold at Stop N Shop #8, 8511 S 33rd St, Lincoln.
The largest Mega Millions jackpot on record occurred in August 2023 when one winner in Florida won a $1.602 billion jackpot. The largest Powerball jackpot on record occurred in November 2022 when one winner in California won a $2.040 billion jackpot.
Play Responsibly
Because of the high jackpots, the Nebraska Lottery encourages customers to play within their means. “It’s important for Nebraska Lottery players to remember that no matter how large the jackpot is, the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302 million, and the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million,” said Lottery Director Brian Rockey. “Your odds of winning remain the same, regardless of how many tickets are purchased or how many people play.” If you or someone you know has a problem with compulsive gambling, free help is available at problemgambling.nebraska.gov.
The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. Over $965 million has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.