Mega Millions jackpot enters longest-ever stretch without a winner

After nearly 38 weeks and a jackpot of $843 million, no one has won the Mega Millions lottery. Friday will mark the longest losing streak since the game began in 2002.

The previous record of 37 weeks was set in January 2021 after a player in Michigan hit the lucky numbers and won the $1.05 billion jackpot. The current jackpot is the eighth largest in the history of the game.

Despite no one hitting the jackpot, lottery officials said more than a dozen people have won smaller prizes totalling more than $274 million. 

What is the history of Mega Millions?

Unbiased. Straight Facts.^TM

A person has a one in 290,472,336 chance to win the Mega Millions jackpot, meaning they’re 300 times more likely to be struck by lightning.

The lottery began as The Big Game in 1996, then changed its name to Mega Millions in 2002. 

Forty-five states, Washington, D.C. and the Virgin Islands participate in the game. Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah are the only states to not offer the game. 

The game has undergone several changes since its release. The most significant change was in 2010, after Mega Millions and Powerball, another lottery, agreed to a cross-sell expansion. This allowed states to sell both Mega Millions and Powerball tickets. In the past, states had to choose which one they could sell. 

Lottery officials said the change led to more revenue, larger jackpots and more coverage since more people from around the country could play. 

The current game format began in April, with games costing $5 each. Before April, games cost $2 each, following a format change in 2017. While many were upset with the price increase, lottery officials said the size of jackpots has increased because of the higher ticket prices.

When is the next drawing?

Officials draw the Mega Millions numbers every Tuesday and Friday night at 11 p.m. ET. The drawings are held in Atlanta at the studios of WSB-TV, the local ABC affiliate. The Georgia Lottery supervises the program.

The next drawing is on Friday at 11 p.m. ET.

The post Mega Millions jackpot enters longest-ever stretch without a winner appeared first on Straight Arrow News.

Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief

Ella Greene

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