Mega Millions Winning Numbers Tonight Dec. 21: $305M Jackpot

The Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, Dec. 21 are worth $305 million. The estimated cash payout would be $181.4 million, which still isn't a bad gift from Santa if you can swing it. The winning numbers are 10-13-61-62-70, Mega Ball 5. The Megaplier was 3x.

The Mega Millions jackpot has been picking up steam. A winner hasn't been picked since Oct. 23, when the richest prize in U.S. lottery history was won - although that person has yet to claim their cash. The winning ticket was sold in South Carolina, meaning someone had a cash payout of more than $900 million won the $1.6 billion jackpot, netting a cash payout of more than $900 million awaiting.

Since that record victory, the Mega Millions has been played 16 times, now clearing $300 million. The Mega Millions game resets to $40 million when a jackpot is one. Then it grows by at least $5 million with every drawing that doesn't have a winner. The jackpot for Tuesday, Dec. 18, was worth $284 million.

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The odds of picking the correct numbers on five white balls and one yellow ball (the Mega Ball) are one in 302.6 million. No matter how many people play Mega Millions, the chances of winning never change. The chances of winning are based on the number combinations not the number of players buying tickets.

The Megaplier add-on, which costs an extra dollar, increases non-jackpot prizes by two to five times.

Players pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers – five different numbers from 1 to 70 and one number from 1 to 25 (the Mega Ball number.) Players can also use an easy pick feature, where a computer selects random numbers for them. To win the jackpot, a player much match all six numbers.

Players who match some of the numbers could still win some money. Here is the payout schedule for lesser prizes, not including the Megaplier, which is different for each game:

• 5 + 0 = $1 million (five numbers by not the Mega Ball)
• 4 + 1 = $10,000 (four numbers and the Mega Ball)
• 4+ 0 = $500 (four numbers without the Mega Ball)
• 3 + 1 = $200 (three numbers and the Mega Ball)
• 3 + 0 = $10 (three numbers but not the Mega Ball)
• 2 + 1 = $10 (two numbers and the Mega Ball)
• 1 + 1 = $4 (one number and the Mega Ball)
• 0 + 1 = $2 (just the Mega Ball)

Mega Millions tickets are $2 each and can be played in 44 states, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Lottery hopefuls had until 10:45 p.m. EST to buy tickets. The drawing is held at 11 p.m. EST in Atlanta.

Photo by Jenna Fisher, Patch