RALEIGH, NC (News Release) β Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots are racing to see which of the life-changing prizes will cross the $300 million mark first.
Fridayβs Mega Millions jackpot stands at a $273 million annuity that is worth $151.7 million in cash. The Powerball jackpot stands at a $279 million annuity that is worth $159.4 million in cash for Saturdayβs drawing.
Powerball currently holds a $6 million lead after no one won Wednesdayβs jackpot. But Mega Millions could take the lead right back if nobody hits the jackpot in Fridayβs drawing. If neither one is won this weekend, one or both could cross the $300 million line in the next drawing.
βWhatβs fun about this neck-and-neck race to $300 million is that either the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot would be a tremendous win for someone in North Carolina,β said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. βAll it takes is one lucky ticket to win so play smart this weekend as you try to bring home one of these jackpots.β
Each drawing produces lots of prizes even when no one wins the jackpot. Tuesdayβs Mega Millions drawing had nearly 14,000 winning tickets. Powerballβs Wednesday drawing produced nearly 20,000 winning tickets including a $50,000 prize for a ticket purchased in Clayton at the Handi Mart on U.S. 70 Business.
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million. The odds of winning a Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302.5 million.
Players can buy Powerball or Mega Millions tickets at any lottery retail location or through Online Play on the lotteryβs website, www.nclottery.com.
Ticket sales from draw games 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 Carolinaβs 100 counties, click on the βImpactβ section of the lotteryβs website.
