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The winning ticket matched the white balls 3, 7, 37, 49, 55 and
the gold Mega Ball 6. The identity of the winner or winners was
not immediately known.
The total amount of the Mega Millions jackpot would only be
distributed to a winner who chooses an annuity paid over 29
years. Nearly all grand prize winners opt to take a cash payout,
which for Friday night’s drawing is an estimated $549.7 million.
Despite the game’s long odds of 1 in 302.6 million, players
continued to purchase tickets as the size of the grand prize
grew. Until Friday, the last time a Mega Millions player hit the
top prize was Sept. 10.
The largest-ever Mega Millions jackpot ticket worth $1.6 billion
was sold in Florida in August 2023. Two prizes for its
compatriot Powerball lottery have been larger.
Mega Millions and Powerball are sold in 45 states, as well as
Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball also is
sold in Puerto Rico.
Mega Millions ticket prices are set to rise from $2 to $5 in
April. The increase will be one of many changes that officials
say will result in improved jackpot odds, more frequent giant
prizes and even larger payouts.
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