The Mega Millions jackpot is approaching the $1 billion mark.
No one matched all six numbers in Friday night’s drawing, so the new jackpot is estimated at $944 million for next Tuesday night’s drawing, according to the Mega Millions website.
It will still be the seventh largest Mega Millions ever and the twelfth largest US jackpot in lottery history (see charts below).
The jackpot was last won on September 10 when a lottery player in Texas won $810 million – the seventh largest Mega Millions ever.
Five new millionaires
Although no one won the jackpot, five tickets matched all five white balls and won $1 million each. The winning tickets were sold in Arkansas, Illionis, Indiana (two) and Pennsylvania.
Mega Millions winning numbers for 12/20/24
Here are the Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, December 20, 2024:
2 – 20 – 51 – 56 – 67 and Megaball 19
Megaplier was 2x
Looking for an edge? These Mega Millions numbers are the most frequently drawn
When is the next Mega Millions drawing?
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM
More: New Jersey’s $1 Million Mega Millions Winner Knew: ‘I’m Going to Win One Day’
How do I play Mega Millions?
The cost is $2 per ticket, but you can add the Megaplier for $1, which increases the amount of your potential prize up to five times the original prize (except the jackpot).
Each player selects five numbers from 1 to 70 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 25 for the Mega Ball. However, you can also let the lottery machine generate a random Quick Pick for you. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen or resident of any state where you purchase your ticket.
More: ‘It Still Doesn’t Feel Real’ – New Yorker Claims $476 Million Mega Millions Jackpot
How many balls do I have to match for the Mega Millions prize?
You can win $2 for just one copy: the Mega Ball. Apart from the jackpot, you can win up to $1 million if you match all five white balls (except in California). You can view all prize payouts on the Mega Millions site here.
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Where are the Mega Millions available?
You can play the game in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands. The states that do not offer Mega Millions are: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.
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Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and supermarkets. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order lottery tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in the following US states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington DC and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to choose your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket and collect your winnings, all from your phone or home computer.
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What is the deadline for purchasing Mega Millions tickets?
The deadline for purchasing a Mega Millions ticket varies by state, so don’t wait until the last minute. It can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more for the actual drawing to take place. For some third-party lottery apps, the deadline may be closer to two hours before the draw. For example, Jackpocket in New Jersey has a 9:15 PM deadline for the 11:00 PM ET drawing.
Click here to see the deadline for where you live.
What are my chances of winning the lottery?
Playing the Mega Millions can be exciting, but don’t spend those millions before you win.
The odds of winning the jackpot are 302,575,350 to 1. The odds of matching all five white balls are 12,607,306 to 1.
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What does cash option mean?
The major lotteries in the United States offer two jackpot payout options: annuity and cash.
The annuity option is paid out over time. There is an immediate payment and then 29 annual payments, increasing by 5% each year. The cash option is significantly lower than the advertised jackpot, but is paid out in one lump sum. You don’t have to wait decades for all the money.
Can a jackpot winner remain anonymous?
In some states, such as New Jersey, you can win the lottery anonymously. That wasn’t always the case, but now winners can remain anonymous thanks to a law signed by Governor Phil Murphy. In other states, a winner’s name and hometown are public. Contact your state lottery for more information.
What are the Top 10 Mega Millions Jackpots?
Here are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots ever:
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$656 million, March 30, 2012: Three winners in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
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$648 million, December 17, 2013: Two winners in California, Georgia
What was the largest US lottery jackpot ever?
Here’s a look at the top jackpots won in the United States between the Powerball and Mega Millions lotteries:
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$1.586 billion, Powerball, January 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee
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$944 million, Mega Millions, December 24:
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$758.7 million, Powerball, August 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts
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$687.8 million, Powerball, October 27, 2018: Two winners in Iowa, New York
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may generate revenue from referrals from the public to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Mega Millions jackpot approaches $1 billion on December 24
