Here we go again! In the history of Mega Millions, this is only the third time that the jackpot is approaching the $1 billion mark. On Friday, Jan. 22, the Mega Millions estimated jackpot is $970 million, with a cash payout option of $716.3 million.
Certainly, there is history in the making.
Jan. 23 Update: A lucky winner in Michigan matched all six numbers to win the second-largest Mega Millions prize ever, according to a lottery press release. The final payout had jumped to $1.05 billion by drawing time Friday night, which equates to a one-time cash value of $776.6 million.
Friday’s prize was second only to what remains the largest single-payout lottery prize ever: a $1.537 billion jackpot claimed in South Carolina on Oct. 23, 2018.
Ten other tickets matched all five white balls for second-place prizes on Jan. 22, including one in Pennsylvania worth $1 million. Two of the 10 opted for the $1 Megaplier, doubling the prize to $2 million.
The Powerball jackpot also hit this week — a $731.1 million prize claimed in Maryland.
Winning Mega Millions numbers for Friday, Jan. 22
Check those tickets on Tuesdays and Fridays after 11 p.m. EST. The Mega Millions holds two drawings weekly, and winning numbers for tonight’s drawing get posted below.
Winning numbers: 4 – 26 – 42 – 50 – 60 Mega Ball: 24
Megaplier: 2X
11 Match 5 tickets worth at least $1 million sold
With such a huge jackpot number, it means that plenty of tickets were sold. In fact, nationwide, more than 5.1 million tickets were winners for Tuesday’s drawing. As a recap, the Jan. 19 drawing had winning numbers of 10 – 19 – 26 – 28 – 50, with a Mega Ball of 16.
The following states sold at least one winning ticket that matched all five white balls, making the prize worth $1 million:
- Florida
- California
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Mississippi
- New Jersey (two tickets)
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
The PA Lottery announced that the winning ticket was sold at Gingrich’s Food Market at 216 W. Hill St. Bainbridge. So far, the winner has not claimed the prize.
Additionally, two winners from Florida added on the extra $1 Megaplier option, multiplying the prize from $1 million to $2 million. A worthwhile $1 investment, indeed.
Online lottery tickets for sale
Here in the Keystone State, the PA online lottery gives you an alternative to buying tickets from a traditional lottery retailer. Instead, you can buy tonight’s Mega Millions tickets conveniently through your mobile device or desktop.
For those of you not located in PA, there are other states that offer online lottery sales as well:
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- New York
Please play responsibly.
