Mega Millions draws numbers for $865 million prize

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Mega Millions jackpot for tonight's Mega Millions drawing is now up to an estimated $865 million, with a cash option of $638.8 million.

The jackpot jumped to $850 million after no winner was declared after Friday's drawing, and then rose again to $865 million a few hours ahead of Tuesday's drawing. That's the biggest jackpot in more than two years.

Not only does this mark the second-largest prize in the game’s history, but it's also the third-largest prize in U.S. lottery history.

Powerball isn't far behind at $730 million for a drawing Wednesday night.

It’s the first time both lottery jackpots have topped $700 million. The biggest prize was a $1.58 billion Powerball jackpot won by three people in 2016.

No one has won the Mega Millions jackpot since Sept. 15, allowing the prize to grow larger and larger over four months. The last Powerball jackpot winner was a day later, on Sept. 16.

Such big jackpots are rare, but both games rely on incredibly long odds to generate attention and increase sales. For Mega Millions, the odds of matching all six numbers is one in 302.5 million, and for Powerball it’s one in 292.2 million.

The prizes listed are for winners who choose an annuity option, paid over 30 years. Winners almost always opt for cash prizes, which for Mega Millions would be $638.8 million and $546 million for Powerball.

Those prizes also would be subject to federal taxes, and most states would take a cut as well.

Mega Millions and Powerball are both played in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball also is offered in Puerto Rico.

Copyright 2021 WDRB Media. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.