Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
The Mega Millions jackpot for the upcoming Friday night draw has reached an astounding $520 million, as no player managed to claim the top prize in the previous Tuesday draw. The winning numbers are scheduled to be drawn around 11 p.m. and the results will be provided promptly below.
Individuals hoping to secure the jackpot will have to defy the incredibly challenging odds, as your chances of winning the Mega Millions or Powerball stand at roughly 1 in 292 million. Surprisingly, there are other life events you are more likely to experience before scoring a big lottery win.
The Disheartening Odds
The chances of hitting the Mega Millions jackpot or the Powerball jackpot are remarkably slim, standing at roughly 1 in 292 million. To put that into perspective, the probability of the average person getting struck by lightning in their lifetime is approximately 1 in 15,300.
Other Astonishing Odds
When compared to remarkably rare events, winning the lottery is seemingly much more elusive. Here are a few examples of life’s events that have better odds:
- Getting struck by lightning (1 in 15,300)
- Getting attacked by a shark (1 in 11.5 million)
- Being struck by a falling airplane part (1 in 10 million)
- Earning an Olympic gold medal (1 in 662,000)
- Being struck by a meteorite (1 in 1.9 million)
These incredible odds do not deter the millions of people who try their luck in each draw, patiently awaiting the possibility of a life-changing win.
Mega Millions Winning Numbers: 2/23/24
The winning Mega Millions numbers for the latest draw are: 4, 6, 40, 41, and 60, with a Mega Ball of 11. Additionally, the Megaplier for this draw was 5X.
Win Big, or Go Home
For the fortunate player who snags the Mega Millions jackpot, the cash option offers an estimated prize of $247.1 million. It’s an extraordinary sum that could completely transform someone’s life.
Did Anyone Secure the Mega Millions Jackpot?
Those eagerly awaiting the results of the Friday draw will find the update and details right here.
Playing the Mega Millions
For those interested in buying a Mega Millions ticket, there are several ways to approach the process. You can either request a “Quick Pick” or “Easy Pick,” where a computer will generate random numbers for you, or you can select the numbers yourself. To play, you must choose six Mega Millions numbers in total, including five numbers between 1 and 70 representing the white balls, and one number between 1 and 25 representing the gold Mega Ball.
In selected states and territories, you may opt for the “Megaplier” feature, which, for an additional dollar, multiplies all non-grand prize winnings by either 2, 3, 4, or 5 times.
Finding Lottery Tickets Near You
If you prefer the traditional method of purchasing lottery tickets in person, you can visit gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and, in certain instances, airport terminals. These locations typically offer lottery tickets for sale.
Order Lottery Tickets Online
Alternatively, for a more convenient online purchasing option, you can utilize the services of Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Currently available in the following U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C., and West Virginia, Jackpocket’s user-friendly app allows you to easily select your preferred lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket, and, if you’re fortunate enough, collect your winnings – all from the comfort of your phone or home computer.
Keep in mind that Jackpocket is not associated with any State Lottery, and you must meet the legal age requirements of your respective region to utilize their services.
