$1.28 Billion Jackpot Ahead Of Friday Night's Mega Millions Drawing

NEW HAMPSHIRE — 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 New Hampshire Lottery locations closing the game at 10:45 p.m.

Let's say no one wins the jackpot Friday - lottery officials then think the jackpot could expand to hit over $1.7 billion, which would beat out the $1.5 billion prizes won in 2018 and 2016.

The last time someone claimed the jackpot was back in April when it was worth $20 million. New Hampshire 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.

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.