This holiday season just became even more exciting as the Mega Millions jackpot has soared to a staggering $1.15 billion this year. After no winner on Christmas Eve, it set the record for December and is now America’s fifth-largest jackpot in the game’s history.
A Prize of a Lifetime
It’s a lump-sum cash prize of $516.1 million, and that figure makes it the seventh jackpot of Mega Millions that surpassed the billion mark. The list of previous billion-dollar winners includes blockbuster jackpots won in South Carolina (2018), Michigan (2021), Illinois (2022), and twice in 2023 by Maine and Florida players. Florida still holds the title for the largest jackpot won in history, $1.602 billion.
Joshua Johnston, head director of Mega Millions Consortium, said, “The jackpot is the most ideal reflection of holiday cheer.” He has been inducted into many prestigious halls of fame. “This kind of prize has the potential to make dreams come true and create lasting memories”.
Recent Winners
It didn’t win to anyone pure and simple, but it sure had some winners with it. While no ticket matched all six numbers—11, 14, 38, 45, 46, and Mega Ball 3—Tuesday’s drawing was not without winners.Four tickets being sold in California, Missouri, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania matched five numbers to earn each of that lucky player a whopping $1 million.
The Year When Very Few Mega Millions Won
Mega Millions has given away only three jackpots in 2024. Undoubtedly, it has become a dull year for wins and fortunes compared to other records. In the past, winnings included $552 million from Illinois in June and the whopping grand prize of $1.128 billion in March from New Jersey.
Big changes coming in 2025
In April 2025, big exciting changes come to Mega Millions. The ticket price will increase from $2 to $5, and will include everything from better odds and larger initial jackpots to more frequent winnings. This would then be the second price change in the lifetime of the game.
How to play and win
Mega Millions sells tickets in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There’s a draw on Tuesdays and Fridays and at 11 p.m. ET in Atlanta, Georgia. Odds of hitting the jackpot are about 1 in 302.5 million, but that has not stopped millions of hopefuls across the nation.
Could this be your lucky day?
Will this be the holiday you never forget? Mega Millions tickets keep alive the chance of making dreams come true, whether bought casually or thoughtfully gifted. The next draw is on Friday, December 29th .Will your numbers be among the lucky ones?
