Do you want a truly Happy New Year? The Mega Millions jackpot for Friday, December 27 is an estimated $1.1 billion.
The winning numbers will be drawn just after 10:00 PM Central and the cash option will be $516.1 million.
Earlier this year, a winning ticket worth $1.1 billion was sold in New Jersey, and the prize was only claimed this week, nine months after the drawing. In Mississippi, drawing winners must claim their prize within 180 days, and if you win, you can claim it anonymously.
Here’s what you need to know about top jackpots and how to play Mega Millions in Mississippi, including where to buy tickets and how to claim the prize if you win.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
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Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and supermarkets. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
How do you play the Mega Millions?
To purchase a ticket you will need to go to your local convenience store, gas station or convenience store. A handful of states allow you to purchase tickets online, but Mississippi is not one of them.
To play you must choose six numbers. Five numbers are white balls ranging from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball is one number between 1 and 25.
If you think the odds are against you, ask for a “Quick Pick” or an “Easy Pick.” The computer will randomly generate the numbers for you.
Players can add the “Megaplier” for $1, which can increase non-top prize winnings by two, three, four or five times. The Megaplier is drawn on Tuesdays and Fridays before the Mega Millions numbers.
There are 15 Megapiler balls in total:
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What are the best Mega Millions jackpots?
According to the lottery, the following jackpots are the Top 10 jackpots won as of October 4:
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$1.602 billion, August 8, 2023; a Florida player
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$1.537 billion, October 23, 2018; a player from South Carolina
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$1.348 billion, January 13, 2023; a Maine player
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$1.337 billion, July 29, 2022; a player from Illinois
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$1.128 billion, March 26, 2024; a New Jersey payer
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$1.050 billion, January 22, 2021; a Michigan player
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$810 million, September 10, 2024; a Texas player
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$656 million, March 30, 2012; a player from Illinois, Kansas and Maryland
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$648 million, December 17, 2013; a player from California and Georgia
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$552 million, June 4, 2024; a player from Illinois
I won the lottery in Mississippi! What now?
The Mississippi Lottery advises people to immediately sign the back of their winning ticket.
If your prize is less than $600, you can claim it anywhere Mississippi lottery tickets are sold.
If you win $600-$99,999, you can file a claim by mail or by going to the Mississippi Lottery headquarters in Flowood.
All prizes over $100,000 must be claimed at Mississippi Lottery headquarters.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi Lottery: Mega Millions December 27 drawing prize is $1 billion
