Lottery Prize Climbs to $636 Million

The Mega Millions jackpot soared to an estimated $636 million on Tuesday, making it the second largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history.

The top prize had been estimated at $586 million, but lottery officials increased their prediction Tuesday morning because of strong ticket sales ahead of the evening drawing. The jackpot now trails only a $656 million Mega Millions pot that was sold in March 2012.

The cash option is $341 million, after taxes.

Mega Millions changed its rules in October to help increase the jackpots by lowering the odds of winning the top prize. That means the chances of winning the jackpot are now about 1 in 259 million.

Paula Otto, lead director for Mega Millions, said the jackpot estimate was increased after ticket sales surpassed expectations. She also said officials expect about 70 percent of the possible number combinations to be purchased.

“Our sales for tonight’s drawing will be over $300 million,” said Otto, also executive director of the Virginia Lottery. “Yesterday we had estimated that our sales would be about $240 million.”

She noted that if a winner isn’t selected either Tuesday night and for this Friday’s drawing, the jackpot could hit $1 billion — an unheard of amount for Mega Millions or Powerball, the nation’s two main lottery games.

Mega Millions is played in 43 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

8 Comments

  • K

    No frum Yid will EVER win because it would cause way too much pain and grief in the community by all the wonderful people who would be beside themselves out of jealousy.

  • Annonymous

    Anyone who wins will hopefully realize its nothing short of a miracle. If its a yid – even better – so many jewish organizations could use the benefit!

  • to jackpot

    why only 34 million? i would to at least 100 million! its not like i need so much money

  • K

    Klotz kasha:

    If the jackpot is $586 million and the odds are 1 in 259 million. that means if you buy 259 million tickets – you will for sure win, doubling your money!

    So why not just buy the 259 million tickets and win $586 million???

    • TJ

      Great question actually. The answer is simple arithmetic.

      Your scenario would actually work quite well if you were the only one buying lottery tickets. However, since you would have to split the prize with anyone else who won, you will likely only get part of the prize.

      The numbers are heavily in favor of the government here, so don’t waste your money on lottery tickets. Your odds are actually better in an Atlatic City slot machine.