Ticket Sales Lift Mega Millions Prize to $667M
72 views · Published 21 October 2018 · 3:19 · Indexed 1 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(16 Oct 2018) The Mega Millions prize was already giant, but now it's even bigger. Lottery officials have increased the estimated jackpot for Tuesday night's drawing from $654 million to $667 million, making it the third-largest grand prize in U.S. history. The increase reflects a surge in ticket sales. The record lottery jackpot was a $1.6 billion Powerball prize won in January 2016. Although the Mega Millions prize has grown larger, the odds of winning remain the same, at a dismal one in 302.5 million. The $667 million jackpot refers to the annuity option, paid out over 29 years. The cash option, which is favored by nearly all winners, is $380 million. Mega Millions is played in 44 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/2ff7a7d0b636d911d16aea8126f58296
