The Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots are reaching record-breaking heights, with the Mega Millions jackpot estimated at $977 million and the Powerball jackpot at $687 million. Both national lottery games have been rolling over, creating excitement and anticipation for the next drawings.
The Mega Millions drawing is set for Friday, March 22, while the Powerball drawing will take place tonight, Wednesday, March 20. If no winners emerge from these upcoming draws, the possibility of a billion-dollar jackpot in 2024 looms on the horizon.
Both Mega Millions and Powerball tickets are sold for $2 each in 45 U.S. states, as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Players can choose their numbers or have them randomly generated for a chance to win the massive jackpots.
Winners have the option to receive their winnings as an annuity spread out over 30 years or as a single lump sum cash payment. After federal income tax withholding, the cash option for the Mega Millions jackpot is estimated at $461 million, while the Powerball cash option stands at $327.3 million.
The odds of winning the jackpot in either game are slim, with roughly 1 in 303 million for Mega Millions and 1 in 292 million for Powerball. However, there are other prize levels for matching some of the numbers drawn, providing additional opportunities to win.
As the excitement builds for the next drawings, lottery enthusiasts across the country are eagerly awaiting the chance to become the next jackpot winner and potentially join the ranks of those who have won billions in previous lottery jackpots.