Mega Millions, Powerball: Georgia's Biggest Payouts

GEORGIA – The combined winnings for the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot this weekend have reached over half a billion dollars. Initially estimated to be $422 million, the Mega Millions jackpot jumped by $11 million on Friday, July 20, as the drawing neared.

Georgia Lottery officials attributed the jackpot's increase to "brisk sales" for the tickets, which cost $2 apiece.

The drawing for the Mega Millions prize of $433,000,000 takes place Friday night before 11 p.m. Mega Millions offers one immediate payment followed by 29 annual graduated payments or a cash option of about $260 million.

If you don't get lucky in the Mega Millions drawing, you could still win big in the Powerball drawing Saturday night. The Powerball jackpot this weekend is $130,000,000.

People can buy Mega Millions and Powerball tickets at Georgia Lottery retailers, through the Georgia Lottery app or online at www.galottery.com.

The Georgia Lottery reports it has made more than 750 people millionaires since it began selling tickets in 1993.

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Georgia's largest jackpot winner was Ira Curry of Stone Mountain, who won half of the $648 million jackpot and selected the cash option of $173 million in the Mega Millions drawing on Dec. 17, 2013, lottery officials said.

Two Powerball tickets purchased in April 2017 in Atlanta and Ellenwood were $1 million prize winners, according to the Georgia Lottery.

There have only been four winners in Georgia to claim Powerball jackpots since 1993, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Here are the biggest payouts in Georgia so far for 2018:

• $2,000,000 Powerball ticket sold in Stockbridge for April 18 drawing
• $2,000,000 won by Willie West Jr. of Cuthbert from Dec. 27 Powerball drawing, reported in January

SEE ALSO: Stone Mountain Lottery Winner 'In State of Shock'

Be sure to check Patch for the Mega Millions and Powerball winning numbers on Friday and Saturday.

Pictured, a player holds a stack of Mega Millions lottery tickets. (Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)