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***JACKPOT ALERT***
JACKPOT MADNESS ROLLS ON WITH OVER $1.7 BILLION UP FOR GRABS
Friday’s Mega Millions® jackpot stands at an estimated $977 million; 10th largest in U.S. history
Saturday’s Powerball® jackpot is set at an estimated $750 million;
9th largest in game history
AUSTIN – The frenzy of big jackpots continues and Texas Lottery® players are looking to feel the rush of a buzzer-beater in the form of a thrilling jackpot win, as Mega Millions and Powerball are offering more than $1.7 billion in combined jackpot prizes this weekend. The current Mega Millions jackpot for the Friday, March 22 drawing stands at estimated annuitized $977 million, the sixth largest jackpot in game history and 10th largest in U.S. lottery history, while the Saturday, March 23 Powerball drawing is offering the ninth largest Grand Prize in game history, now worth an estimated annuitized $750 million. If there are no jackpot winners for this weekend’s drawings, the Grand Prize for the Monday, March 25 Powerball drawing will roll to an estimated annuitized $800 million and the jackpot for the Tuesday, March 26 Mega Millions drawing will rise to $1.1 billion.
“Texas Lottery players have their sights set on winning at least one of these massive jackpot prizes this weekend,” said Ryan Mindell, deputy executive director of the Texas Lottery. “With the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots now among the top 10 largest prizes in each game’s history, the Texas Lottery continues to see a spike in sales for both games, boosting revenue for public education in our state. As these jackpots grow and reach exciting levels, we want to remind everyone to play responsibly; it only takes one ticket to win. If you are fortunate to be holding a jackpot-winning ticket after either of the drawings, it is recommended that you sign it, put it in a safe place, seek financial and legal advice, and then call the Texas Lottery to set up an appointment to claim the prize.”
Friday’s drawing will be the 30th in the current Mega Millions jackpot run since starting as an estimated annuitized $20 million for the Dec. 12, 2023 drawing. This is the largest Mega Millions jackpot up for grabs since the Aug. 8, 2023 drawing when a $1.602 billion jackpot – the largest in game history – was won by an out of state player. Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot offers an estimated cash value of $461 million.
Texas has had 14 Mega Millions jackpot prize winners since it joined the game in 2003. Its most recent winner came in October 2023 when The Blue Yucca Trust won an estimated annuitized $360 million prize. The claimant chose the cash value option and received $157,367,045 before taxes; the largest prize ever paid out to a single Texas Lottery player.
Saturday’s Powerball drawing will be the 35th in the current jackpot run since starting as an estimated annuitized $20 million for the Jan. 3 drawing and offers an estimated cash value of $357.3 million. This is the game’s largest prize since the Jan. 1 drawing when an out of state player won an $842.4 million jackpot prize.
Since joining the game in 2010, Texas has had two Powerball jackpot winners, including its most recent in February 2015 when TL Management Trust, Andrew Weber, Trustee of Austin, claimed a share of the $564.1 million jackpot prize with two other winners.
Since the start of 2024, nine Texas Lottery players have won second-tier Powerball (6) and Mega Millions (3) prizes of $1 million or larger, including three over the last week.
Mega Millions is played by choosing five numbers from a field of 70 and one Mega Ball number from the second field of 25 numbers. To win the Mega Millions jackpot, players must match all six numbers drawn including the Mega Ball. Players matching fewer numbers may not win the jackpot, but could still walk away winners. Mega Millions currently offers a $20 million starting jackpot and a second-tier (Match 5+0) prize of $1 million. By choosing the Megaplier® feature for $1 more per Play, players can multiply their non-jackpot winnings by two, three, four or five times, winning as much as $5 million. Drawings are broadcast each Tuesday and Friday at 10:12 p.m. CT. Ticket sales for the next Mega Millions drawing will close at 9:45 p.m. CT on Friday, March 22.
About the Texas Lottery
Beginning with the first ticket sold in 1992, the Texas Lottery has generated more than $38 billion in revenue for the state and distributed more than $85 billion in prizes to lottery players. Since 1997, the Texas Lottery has contributed $32.6 billion to the Foundation School Fund, which supports public education in Texas. As authorized by the Texas Legislature, certain Texas Lottery revenues benefit state programs including the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. Since the first veterans’ themed scratch ticket game was launched in 2009, the Texas Lottery has contributed more than $235 million for programs supporting Texas veterans.
The Texas Lottery provides several entertaining games for lottery players including Powerball®, Mega Millions®, Lotto Texas®, All or Nothing™, Texas Two Step®, Pick 3™, Daily 4™, Cash Five® and scratch ticket games. For more information visit us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube or at texaslottery.com. PLAY RESPONSIBLY.
A high-res image of the Powerball logo can be downloaded here and an image of the Powerball prize chart can be downloaded here. A high-res image of the Mega Millions logo can be downloaded here and an image of the Mega Millions prize chart can be downloaded here. (Right-click on the image for saving options.)
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