Mega Millions rises to $830 million, 4th largest Jackpot in US lottery history
RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Only three lottery jackpots in US history have been higher than the current amount of $830 million, according to lottery officials.
- A $1.58 billion Powerball jackpot won in January 2016
- A $1.53 billion Mega Millions jackpot won in October. 2018.
- A $1.05 billion Mega Millions jackpot won in January 2021.
The jackpot ranks as the 3rd largest in the 20-year history of the Mega Millions game.
A North Carolina winner on Tuesday night would have the choice of taking home the $830 million as an annuity or $487.9 million in cash.
“What makes Mega Millions so exciting is the mega jackpots and to see the fourth-largest ever in Tuesday’s drawing is definitely noteworthy,” Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery, said. “North Carolina has never seen a win of that magnitude. We are all crossing our fingers and hoping it happens Tuesday night.”
Friday night’s drawing produced a number of big wins in North Carolina, including:
- Two $30,000 wins with tickets sold at the Speedway on North JK Powell Boulevard in Whiteville in Columbus County and using Online Play in Huntersville in Mecklenburg County.
- Three $10,000 wins with tickets sold at Buffalo Shoals Supermarket & Hardware in Newton in Catawba County, Bea’s Country Store in Autryville in Sampson County, and using Online Play in Enfield in Halifax County.
In total, just under 100,000 winning tickets were sold in North Carolina for Friday’s drawing. The odds of winning a Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302.5 million.
