Mega Millions Jackpot Raised to $660 Million, Third Largest All Time

RALEIGH, N.C. (News Release) — The Mega Millions jackpot has been raised again in anticipation of Fridayโ€™s drawing, now totaling $660 million.

The $660 million jackpot represents the third largest in the 20-year history of the game. A North Carolina winner on Friday night would have the choice of taking the $660 million as an annuity or $376.9 million in cash.

โ€œWhat an exciting time to be playing Mega Millions with the third largest jackpot ever up for grabs,โ€ said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. โ€œOur advice to those hoping to take home that jackpot is to play smart because it only takes one ticket to win. North Carolina saw a $1 million win on Tuesday. Letโ€™s hope for more big wins, maybe even the biggest, on Friday.โ€

The $1 million win occurred in Tuesdayโ€™s drawing with a $2 ticket purchased at a Gastonia convenience store. The prize has not yet been claimed. Other big wins on Tuesday night in North Carolina included one prize of $10,000 and two $30,000 prizes.

The odds of winning a Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302.5 million.

Players can buy Mega Millions tickets at any lottery retail location or through Online Play on the lotteryโ€™s website, www.nclottery.com, or with the lotteryโ€™s app, the NC Lottery Official Mobile App.

Ticket sales from draw games make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $2.5 million a day 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.