- Friday’s lottery drawing with feature a Mega Millions jackpot of $977 million.
- Saturday brings a near top 10 Powerball drawing, with a jackpot estimated at $750 million.
NEW YORK – States across the U.S. are buzzing with excitement as the Mega Millions jackpot climbs to nearly $1 billion. The winning numbers for this massive prize will be drawn on Friday night, March 22, 2024. The jackpot has reached an estimated $977 million due to three months passing without a winner, highlighting the remarkable odds involved.
Players can participate by purchasing tickets for $2, choosing six numbers from different pools. The first five numbers range from 1 to 70, while the Mega Ball numbers range from 1 to 25. Some states offer additional options for increased payouts or extra sets of numbers.
- Just the Jackpot: In select states with lottery, players can opt for Just the Jackpot, focusing solely on winning the jackpot with two plays for $3, excluding other prize levels. Check your local lottery's website for availability.
- Megaplier®: Available in most states, the Megaplier feature multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, or 5 times for an extra $1 per play. The Megaplier number is drawn before each Mega Millions drawing, with varying odds and prize values associated with each multiplier.
While the advertised jackpot is eye-catching, winners often opt for a cash payout, which for this drawing would be around $461 million after deducting federal taxes... should they be the sole winner. Additionally, state taxes may apply depending on where the winning ticket was purchased.
Highest Lottery Taxed States
- New York: Up to 8.82%
- Maryland: From 8.75% to 9.25%
- New Jersey: From 8% to 10.75%
- Oregon: 8%
- Arizona: 5% on lottery winnings over $5,000.
Despite the staggering jackpot, the odds of winning stand at 1 in 302.6 million. This low probability is what allows jackpots to grow to such enormous amounts over time. Lottery officials emphasize that while dreams of wealth are enticing, playing responsibly and for enjoyment is key.
Mega Millions operates in numerous states and territories, except Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.
As excitement builds for the upcoming Mega Millions drawing on Friday, millions of online gambling players across the country are also looking at the Powerball drawing on Saturday. Estimated at $750 million after no winning ticket was sold for Wednesday's drawing, Saturday is a few draws away from becoming a top 10 Powerball jackpot prize.