Mega Millions Jackpot Reaches $1.28 Billion

MASSACHUSETTS —The Mega Millions jackpot has now jumped to $1.28 billion, offering a cash payout of $747.2 million. If no one wins Friday night, lottery officials expect the prize to hit $1.7 billion.

The drawing will take place at 11 p.m. Friday, with all Mass Lottery locations closing the game at 10:45 p.m.

So far, the highest winning prizes sit at $1.5 billion, both won in 2018 and 2016.

The last time someone claimed the Mega Millions jackpot was back in April when it was worth $20 million. Massachusetts has yet to win a Mega Millions jackpot this year, but California, New York, Minnesota and Tennessee have had their share.

In the 29 drawings since the jackpot was last won, there have been more than 28.1 million winning tickets at all prize levels, including 42 worth $1 million or more.

As ticket sales in Massachusetts continue to skyrocket, the lottery released a list of stores around the state which seem to be the "luckiest" when it came to winning big.

• Methuen: Ted's Stateline Mobil - 3 tickets sold, including a $1 million Mega Millions prize.
• Hyannis: Ocean Street Market - 2
• Leicester: Crossroads Marketplace - 2
• New Bedford: Dairy Market - 2
• Somerset: Correia & Sons Market - 2
• Vineyard Haven: Woodland Variety & Grill - 2
• Worcester: A1 Plus Convenience - 2

Although no one claimed the jackpot in Tuesday's drawing, several players did win lower-value prizes by matching some of the winning numbers — 7-29-60-63-66. The Mega Ball number was 15 and the Megaplier number was 3x.

The actual chances of winning the $1.28 billion are slim - about 1 in 302.5 million. The odds of winning one of the smaller prizes, including the $1 million to players who match five regular numbers but miss the Mega Ball, are better, but still only 1 in 12.6 million. For perspective, the odds of being struck by lightning are less than 1 in 1 million, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.