Mega Millions, Powerball jackpots climb to $1.267 billion combined to start week
The Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots both keep on rising!
The lotteries are now a combined $1.267 billion to begin the week after no one won either jackpot this weekend.
No one won the Powerball on Saturday so that jackpot is now at an estimated $532 million with a cash option of $260.1 million heading into Monday night's drawing. Three tickets in Saturday's drawing won million-dollar prizes for matched all five white balls. A ticket sold in Ohio won $2 million and tickets purchased in Florida and New York are worth $1 million.
Meanwhile, the Mega Millions is even higher at $735 million with a cash option of $356.7 million - making it the 14th largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever and the sixth largest Mega Millions. The Top 5 Mega Millions jackpots are all over $1 billion. In Friday's drawing, tickets sold in Georgia and Texas won $1 million for matched the five white balls.
Neither jackpot has been hit in months. The Powerball was last won on Jan. 1 when a lottery player in Michigan won the $842.4 million jackpot. The Mega Millions was hit on Dec. 8 when two California tickets sold at same location split $394 million Mega Millions jackpot.
If you are just jumping into the lottery craze, maybe in an office or family pool, there are some things you need to know.
More: A look back at all 15 Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots won in 2023
When are Powerball and Mega Millions drawings?
The Powerball is held three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. The Mega Millions are on Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.
How can I play the Powerball or Mega Millions?
Tickets for each lottery cost $2 each, however you can increase your prizes (except the jackpot) by adding the Power Play or Megaplier for an additional $1 per ticket.
For the Mega Millions, you select five numbers from 1 to 70 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 25 for the Mega Ball. The Powerball numbers range from 1 to 69 for white balls and 1 to 26 for the red ball. However, you can also have the lottery machine generate a random Quick Pick for you.
Where can I play Powerball and Mega Millions?
For the Powerball, you can play the game in 45 states plus the Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For the Mega Millions, tickets are sold in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The states not offering either lottery are are: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.
Location, Location, Location: These are the states with the most Powerball jackpot winners
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in-person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Lucky in lottery? These are the states with the most Mega Millions jackpot winners
What is the deadline for buying tickets?
Deadlines vary by jurisdiction so don't wait until the last minute if you want to play. Here is a look at the deadlines by state for the Mega Millions and for the Powerball.
What are my odds of winning a lottery?
OK, now for the reality check.
For the Mega Millions, the odds of winning the jackpot are 302,575,350-to-1. The odds to match all five white balls are 12,607,306-to-1.
For the Powerball, the odds of winning the jackpot are 292,201,338-to-1 and the odds to match all five white balls are 11,688,053-to-1.
So don't go spending those millions just yet.
Beware: No, a lottery jackpot winner isn't giving you money. How to spot a scammer
What was largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever?
Here's a look at the top jackpots won in the United States, between the Powerball and the Mega Millions lotteries:
$2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022: Won in California
$1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023: Won in California
$1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023: Won in Florida
$1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee
$1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
$1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2022: Won in Maine
$1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: Won in Illinois
$1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023: Won in California
$1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
$842.4 million, Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024: Won in Michigan
$768.4 million, Powerball, March 27, 2019: Won in Wisconsin
$758.7 million, Powerball, Aug. 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts
$754.6 million, Powerball: Feb. 6, 2023: Won in Washington
$735 million, Mega Millions, March 12, 2024
$731.1 million,, Powerball, Jan. 20, 2021: Won in Maryland
$699.8 million, Powerball, Oct. 4, 2021: Won in California
$687.8 million, Powerball, Oct. 27, 2018: Two winners in Iowa, New York
$656 million, Mega Millions, March 30, 2012: Three winners in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
$648 million, Mega Millions, Dec. 17, 2013: Two winners in California, Georgia
$632.6 million, Powerball, Jan. 5, 2022: Two winner in California, Wisconsin
$590.5 million, Powerball, May 18, 2013: Won in Florida
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Powerball,, Mega Millions jackpots up to $1.267 billion combined
