Strong Sales Push Mega Millions Jackpot to $540 Million

MIDDLETOWN, Pa., July 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Continued brisk ticket sales have pushed the Mega Millions® jackpot for Friday, July 8, to an estimated $540 million annuity value or $380 million cash.

When the jackpot was boosted at midday Thursday, Mega Millions tickets were selling at a rate of about 2,300 per-minute across Pennsylvania.

After there was no jackpot winner in the Tuesday, July 5, drawing, the jackpot rolled to a $508 million annuity value or $357.7 million cash. That drawing did produce a big winner in Pennsylvania: a Mega Millions ticket worth $1 million was sold at sold at S&S Corner Market, 106 Apollo Road, Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County. It matched all five white balls drawn.

The current jackpot has rolled 34 times to get to this level, the game's third-largest jackpot offering. The largest on record was a $656 million prize won on March 30, 2012, by three winning tickets sold in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland.

The Pennsylvania Lottery has sold two jackpot-winning Mega Millions tickets since joining the game in 2010.

The first was a $149 million annuity value jackpot-winning ticket sold in White Oak, Allegheny County, for the May 20, 2014, drawing. It was claimed several months later by a couple from the Pittsburgh area who took the $86.8 million cash prize.

The second was sold in Milton, Northumberland County, for the July 21, 2015, drawing and had an annuity value of $153 million. A truck driver from Virginia claimed the cash prize of $91.7 million.

How to Play Mega Millions: Mega Millions tickets cost $1 per play. Players pick five numbers from 1 to 75 and one number from 1 to 15 (the Mega Ball). Players may select their own numbers using a Mega Millions play slip, or they may opt for computer-selected quick picks. For an extra $1 per play, players can add the Megaplier®. Prior to the Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier number – ranging from two to five – is randomly selected. The Megaplier applies to non-jackpot prizes. Mega Millions tickets are sold in 44 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets are sold until 9:59 p.m. on drawing nights, Tuesdays and Fridays.

About Us: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery to direct all proceeds to programs that benefit older residents. Since ticket sales began in 1972, it has contributed more than $25.8 billion to fund property tax and rent rebates, transportation, care services, prescription assistance, and local services including senior centers and meals. 

Players must be 18 or older. Please play responsibly. Call 1-800-848-1880 or 1-800-GAMBLER for help with a compulsive gambling problem.

Visit palottery.com for winning numbers, rules, chances of winning, and to join the VIP Players Club for second chances to win. Install our official mobile app, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

MEDIA CONTACT: Lottery Media Relations, 717-702-8008

SOURCE Pennsylvania Lottery

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