Mega Millions Jackpot Reaches $540 Million

Due to increased sales, the jackpot for Friday’s Mega Millions drawing has been raised from $508 million to $540 million. The next drawing is tonight, Friday, July 8th at 10pm.

Jackpot Quick Facts:

· Odds to win the jackpot are 1 :259 million; Overall odds of winning are 1:14

· The jackpot has been growing since it was last won on March 8 by a ticket purchased in Washington. The jackpot has rolled 34 times (as of Tuesday, July 5).

· This is the 3rd largest jackpot in Mega Millions history; 7th largest in North American history

· The largest U.S. lottery payout was a $1.58 Billion Powerball jackpot won in January 2016 and shared by three winning tickets in Tennessee, California and Florida.

· The largest Mega Millions payout was a $656 million jackpot won in March 2012 and shared by three winning tickets in Kansas, Illinois and Maryland.

Tennessee Mega Millions Fun Facts

· A mother and son from Bellevue, Tenn., won a Mega Millions jackpot worth $61 million on January 3, 2014.

· Tennessee players have won approximately $116.7 million in Mega Millions prizes since the Tennessee Lottery launched the game on January 31, 2010.

· While difficult to estimate, anticipated sales for Friday’s $540 million jackpot will be in the neighborhood of 10 times higher than the average jackpot.

· Mega Millions sales alone have generated an estimated $115.4 million for education in Tennessee since the game was launched January 31, 2010.

Game Details

· The first Mega Millions drawing was on May 17, 2002 – and there was a jackpot winner! ($28 million won by a ticket in Illinois)

· Tickets cost $1 and must be purchased by approximately 9:45 p.m. CT/10:45 p.m. ET before the drawing. Pick 5 numbers 1-75; and one Mega Ball number 1 to 15

· Jackpots start at $15 million and grow until they are won. Other prizes range from $1 to $1 million (and up to $5 million with the optional Megaplier). The game is currently played in 46 jurisdictions including 44 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Tennessee Education Lottery

· The Tennessee Lottery has raised more than $3.7 BILLION for specific education programs in Tennessee, including college scholarships and after-school programs.

· More than 1 million scholarships, grants and awards have been funded.

· In addition to the educational beneficiaries, players have won over $9.9 billion in prizes and Lottery retailer partners have earned more than $953 million in retailer commissions since the Lottery began selling tickets on Jan. 20, 2004.

There have been 189 Tennessee Lottery tickets worth $1 million or more sold since inception.

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