The Mega Millions jackpot has grown to an estimated $579 million after weeks without a winner.
The Mega Millions jackpot was last won in Texas on September 10 with a ticket valued at $800 million.
Only three Mega Millions jackpots have been won so far this year including a $1.1 billion winning ticket that was purchased in New Jersey in March. That prize is still unclaimed. Winners in New Jersey have one year to claim their winnings.
The odds of winning the jackpot are one in more than 302 million. The overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24.
The top Mega Millions jackpot ticket — $1.6 billion — was sold in Florida in August of last year.
It will soon get more expensive to play: Lottery officials announced it will cost $5 to play Mega Millions, beginning in April 2025, up from the current $2 per ticket. The price increase will be one of many changes to Mega Millions that officials said will result in improved jackpot odds, more frequent giant prizes and even larger payouts.
Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, Dec. 6, 2024
The winning numbers in Friday’s drawing were 16-21-33-39-45, Mega Ball: 24 Megaplier: 2.
When a winner matches all five numbers and the Mega Ball, they have the option to take the full jackpot paid out as an annuity over 30 years, or a smaller lump sum cash payout. Winners almost always take the cash option.
Players who match only the first five numbers win at least $1 million.
What time is the Mega Millions drawing?
Mega Millions drawings take place on Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. Eastern Time.
Largest Mega Millions jackpots ever won
- $1.602 billion – August 8, 2023 – Florida
- $1.537 billion – October 23, 2018 – South Carolina
- $1.348 billion – January 13, 2023 – Maine
- $1.337 billion – July 29, 2022 – Illinois
- $1.128 billion – March 26, 2024 – New Jersey
- $1.050 billion – January 22, 2021 – Michigan
- $810 million – September 10, 2024 – Texas
- $656 million – March 30, 2012 – Kansas/Illinois/Maryland
- $648 million – December 17, 2013 – California/Georgia
- $552 million – June 4, 2024 – Illinois