Mega Millions jackpot jumps to $453 million

WASHINGTON — The Mega Millions jackpot has risen to an estimated $453 million for Friday’s drawing after no one matched all the winning numbers for Tuesday night’s drawing.

While no one claimed the top prize, one ticket in Pennsylvania and another in Texas each won $1 million by correctly matching all five white ball numbers. 

The winning numbers in Tuesday’s drawing were 5-35-50-51-59 with Mega Ball: 8 and Megaplier: 4.

The jackpot was last won in Texas on September 10 with a ticket valued at $800 million.

Only three Mega Millions jackpots have been won so far this year including a $1.1 billion winning ticket that was purchased in New Jersey in March. That prize is still unclaimed. Winners in New Jersey have one year to claim their winnings.

The odds of winning the jackpot are one in more than 302 million. The overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24.

The top Mega Millions jackpot ticket — $1.6 billion — was sold in Florida in August of last year.

Last month, lottery officials announced it will cost $5 to play Mega Millions, beginning in April 2025, up from the current $2 per ticket. The price increase will be one of many changes to Mega Millions that officials said will result in improved jackpot odds, more frequent giant prizes and even larger payouts.

The winning numbers in Tuesday’s drawing were 5-35-50-51-59 with Mega Ball: 8 and Megaplier: 4.

When a winner matches all five numbers and the Mega Ball, they have the option to take the full jackpot paid out as an annuity over 30 years, or a smaller lump sum cash payout. Winners almost always take the cash option.

The cash option for Friday’s drawing is $209.6 million. 

Players who match only the first five numbers win at least $1 million. 

Mega Millions drawings take place on Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. Eastern Time.