The Mega Millions jackpot has soared to an estimated $1.15 billion, continuing to build after no winning ticket was sold for the Christmas Eve jackpot. This new total ranks as the fifth-largest in the game's history, though it's worth noting that all totals are calculated before taxes are deducted; the jackpot has been growing since it was last won at $810 million by a Texas player on September 10, according to CBS News.
Lottery officials have set the prize for tomorrow night's drawing, and the cash option lays out an impressive sum of $516.1 million, it's a tempting figure that reflects the continuous surge of ticket sales that followed Monday's estimate of $970 million, growing till it hit the round $1 billion mark by Christmas Eve.
The game, which started in 2002, has seen a relative drought in jackpot wins this year, with only three significant prizes claimed, the fewest since the inception of the lottery, as noted by NBC New York. Winners typically have a choice between a 30-year annuity option, which pays out the full jackpot amount, or a reduced one-time cash lump sum, with the latter often being the more popular pick among the victors aiming to get their newfound fortune all at once.
While the excitement surrounding potential winnings grows with each ticket purchase, the reality of possible scams also increases, particularly during high jackpot periods. Scammers often send unsolicited communications claiming the recipient has won a prize. Mega Millions officials have clarified that they would never contact winners by phone, text, or email to inform them of a win, advising the public to remain cautious. These scams are more likely to appear during times of large jackpots, aiming to take advantage of heightened interest. Additionally, the price of Mega Millions tickets will increase from $2 to $5 in April, according to the lottery consortium.
