5th Highest Mega Millions Jackpot Expected On Friday

CONCORD, NH — The Mega Millions jackpot, which has not been won since September, continues to grow, according to lottery officials.

Friday’s jackpot is expected to be around $1.15 billion or the fifth largest in the game’s history. The one-time cash payout, before taxes, is expected to be $516.1 million. The odds of winning the jackpot are one in 302.5 million.

The Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots:

1. $1.602 billion: Aug. 8, 2023
2. $1.537 billion: Oct. 23, 2018
3. $1.348 billion: Jan. 13, 2023
4. $1.337 billion: July 29, 2022
5. $1.15 billion: Dec. 27, 2024 (anticipated)
6. $1.128 billion: March 26, 2024
7. $1.050 billion: Jan. 22, 2021
8. $810 million: Sept. 10, 2024
9. $656 million: March 30, 2012
10. $648 million: Dec. 17, 2013

The game, which costs $2 a ticket, is in its 29th year and, effectively, is the nation’s lottery game since tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The drawings are held on Tuesday and Friday nights just before 11 p.m.

“We can only imagine what a winner could do with this $1.15 billion jackpot prize — the possibilities are endless,” Charlie McIntyre, the executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery, said. “Mega Millions sales are picking up in a big way — we are seeing it on NH iLottery and we are hearing directly from our retailers. The sales momentum has been building for weeks but now with this massive, billion-dollar-plus jackpot on the line, sales are coming fast and furious. Everyone here at the New Hampshire Lottery is hoping we can crown a lucky New Hampshire winner to close out 2024!”

No one has won the jackpot since Sept. 10, when a player from Texas purchased the $810 million winning ticket.

“As this jackpot continues to grow and as the excitement builds, the New Hampshire Lottery wants to remind all its players to play responsibly,” McIntyre said. “We like to say you have to play to win, but it only takes one to win.”

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