Powerball And Mega Millions Jackpots Total More Than $850 Million

$610 million Powerball jackpot ranks as 7th largest ever in game

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (News Release) — Powerball and Mega Million jackpots continue to climb in 2022, now adding up together to $863 million.

On Tuesday night, someone in North Carolina could win a $253 million Mega Millions jackpot as an annuity, or $175.6 million cash.

Then, on Wednesday, the Powerball jackpot stands at $610 million as an annuity, climbing to the 7th highest amount ever in the history of the game. The estimated jackpot was raised Tuesday by $35 million due to strong ticket sales. A winner in North Carolina could take the $610 million annuity or choose $434.2 million in cash.

โ€œBoth games are off to a great start for 2022, providing the big jackpots that people love to play for,โ€ said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. โ€œAs you play for the jackpot, remember there are nine ways to win in each drawing so check your tickets closely. Weโ€™ve seen great prizes won in Mondayโ€™s Powerball drawing and in Fridayโ€™s Mega Millionsโ€™ drawing.โ€

In Fridayโ€™s Mega Millions drawing on New Yearโ€™s Eve, someone who bought a ticket at a Forsyth County convenience store won a $1 million prize. In Mondayโ€™s Powerball drawing, someone from Charlotte who bought a ticket using Online Play won a $50,000 prize and someone who bought a ticket at a Gaston County convenience store also won a $50,000 prize.

Tickets for both games cost $2. Players can buy Powerball or Mega Millions tickets at any lottery retail location or through Online Play on the lotteryโ€™s website, www.nclottery.com, and with the NC Lottery Official Mobile App.

Ticket sales from draw games such as Powerball and Mega Millions help make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $900 million a year for education. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolinaโ€™s 100 counties, click on the โ€œImpactโ€ section of the lotteryโ€™s website.