Mega Millions Jackpot is $290 Million, Eighth Largest in Game History

Middletown, Pa., March 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Excitement is building for tonight's Mega Millions drawing, which is the eighth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history with an estimated annuity value of $290 million. The jackpot's lump-sum cash value is $205.5 million.

If a single jackpot-winning ticket is purchased in Pennsylvania for the March 23 drawing, it would be the largest prize ever awarded by the Pennsylvania Lottery.

"Large jackpots always generate a lot of excitement as people take advantage of the opportunity to 'dream Mega' and have fun anticipating the potential impact of a multi-million-dollar jackpot," Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Todd Rucci said. "We advise players to buy their Mega Millions tickets early to avoid the last-minute rush."

Rucci encouraged players to remember to play responsibly.

Tickets for tonight's Mega Millions drawing will be available until 9:59 p.m. at more than 9,000 Lottery retailers statewide.

"What's most exciting to us is that $24.8 million in sales for this Mega Millions run have generated more than $7.4 million in funding for programs benefiting Pennsylvania's older residents," Rucci said.

The current Mega Millions jackpot run began Friday, Jan. 27. There have been 16 draws without a jackpot winner, and tonight's drawing is the 17th in the current run.

The largest prize ever awarded by the Pennsylvania Lottery is a $115.5 million Super 7 jackpot from the April 26, 1989, drawing that was shared among 14 winning tickets. The largest Pennsylvania Lottery prize awarded to a single winning ticket was the $110.3 million Powerball jackpot from May 8, 2004, claimed by a New Jersey couple.

While Pennsylvania has yet to have a Mega Millions jackpot winner, eight tickets worth $250,000 each were sold in Pennsylvania so far this year for matching five white balls. Additionally, one Pennsylvania player won a $1 million match-five prize by purchasing the Megaplier this year.

How to Play Mega Millions: Mega Millions tickets cost $1 per play. Players pick five numbers from 1 to 56 and one number from 1 to 46 (the Mega Ball). Players can pick their own numbers or have numbers randomly selected by computer. For an extra $1 per play, players can add the Megaplier. Prior to the Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier number – ranging from two to four – is randomly selected.

A player who matches five white balls and purchased Megaplier wins $1 million.  Other non-jackpot prizes are multiplied by the Megaplier number drawn.

Mega Millions tickets are sold in 44 participating jurisdictions. Drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays.

About the Pennsylvania Lottery: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery that designates all its proceeds to programs that benefit older residents. Since its inception in 1971, the Pennsylvania Lottery has contributed nearly $21.5 billion to programs that include property tax and rent rebates; free transit and reduced-fare shared rides; the low-cost prescription drug programs PACE and PACENET; long-term living services; and the 52 Area Agencies on Aging, including full- and part-time senior centers throughout the state. The Pennsylvania Lottery reminds its players to play responsibly. Players must be 18 or older.

For more information, visit www.palottery.com, log in to Facebook and like us at www.facebook.com/palottery or follow us at www.twitter.com/palottery. 

Media contact: Allison Roberts, 717-702-8008

SOURCE Pennsylvania Lottery

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED