Mega Millions Climbs Over $500 Million

The Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to over $500 million six years to the day after becoming the first lottery to hit that milestone. The lottery reached $502 million before play on its March 30 drawing began.

Mega Millions Climbs Over $500 Million

The Mega Millions jackpot climbed to over $500 million.

Six years ago, Mega Millions was the first U.S. lottery to hit half a billion dollars. It took 23 drawings without a jackpot winner to reach the mark. The current jackpot run began Jan. 9 as a $40 million prize. $502 million is the 4th-largest in the game’s history, and the 10th-largest United States lottery jackpot of all time.

The initial lump-sum cash value of $301 million is the 11th-largest on the all-time US lottery jackpot cash value list.

In the March 27 Mega Millions drawing, there was no jackpot winner, but two players matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize: 1 from Illinois and 1 from New Jersey.

Mega Millions is currently offered for sale in 44 states, plus Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 pm Eastern Time. Tickets cost $2 each.