Although no one won the half-billion-dollar jackpot, two players from South Carolina became millionaires, winning $1 million and $2 million. The next Mega Millions drawing is Friday.
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No one won the $500 million jackpot in Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing, but two players from South Carolina scooped seven-figure jackpots by matching five numbers in the drawing.
In South Carolina, two new millionaires were crowned as both hit the five white balls but missed the gold Mega Ball. One of the players won $2 million by paying an extra $1 for the Megaplier, while the other player netted $1 million.
With no top prize winners on Tuesday, the Mega Millions jackpot for Friday’s drawing has now risen to an estimated $627 million, making it the ninth-largest in the game’s history.
On Friday, the Mega Millions drawing jackpot will surpass $600 million for the ninth time since the game began in 2002. The cash payout for Friday’s drawing is estimated to be $309.1 million.
A total of 1,202,189 winning tickets were sold nationwide in Tuesday’s drawing, 30 of which contained four white balls in addition to the Mega Ball, each of which paid players $10,000. Ten of those tickets paid players $20,000 because they purchased the Megaplier.
What were the Mega Millions winning numbers on Tuesday?
The winning numbers drawn on Tuesday evening were 16, 18, 21, 54, 65 with a Mega Ball of 05 and a Megaplier of 2x.
Winning numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery messenger of the USA TODAY Network.
What are the biggest Mega Millions drawings of all time?
The 10 biggest Mega Millions drawings have all occurred in the last 12 years, starting with the sale of three winning tickets in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland for a $656 million jackpot.
Here is a list of the 10 biggest Mega Millions jackpots of all time:
- On August 8, 2023, Florida’s profits were $1.602 billion.
- $1.537 billion on October 23, 2018 with a winning ticket in South Carolina.
- A winning ticket in Maine won the $1.348 billion jackpot on January 13, 2023.
- 1.337 billion dollars on July 29, 2022, had a winner in Illinois
- $1.128 billion on March 26, 2024, with a winner in New Jersey
- $1.050 billion on January 22, 2021, with a winner in Michigan
- 656 million dollars on March 30, 2020, had three winners in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland
- 648 million dollars on December 17, 2013, had two winners in California and Georgia
- $627 million as of August 30, 2024
- $552 million on June 4, 2024, with a winner in Illinois
How do I play Mega Millions?
To purchase a ticket, you will need to visit your local supermarket, gas station, or grocery store. In some states, you can also purchase tickets online.
To play, you must select six numbers. Five numbers are white balls ranging from 1 to 70. The golden Mega Ball is a number between 1 and 25.
If you feel the odds are against you, ask for a “Quick Pick” or an “Easy Pick.” The computer will randomly generate the numbers for you.
For $1, players can add the “Megaplier,” which can multiply non-top prize winnings by two, three, four, or five times. The Megaplier is drawn on Tuesday and Friday before the Mega Millions numbers.
There are 15 Megapiler balls in total:
- 2X, five balls
- 3X, six balls
- 4X, three balls
- 5X, one ball
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Lottery tickets may also be sold in some airport terminals.
You can also order your tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, DC and West Virginia. With the Jackpocket app, you can select your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket and claim your winnings – all from your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery messenger of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue by referring viewers to Jackpocket services. Minimum age: 18, in Arizona: 21, in Northeast: 19. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-877-8-HOPE-NY to HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). See jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
