Mega Millions and Powerball Combined Jackpots at Nearly $1 Billion

Mega Millions jackpot at $510 Million—eighth largest in game’s history

MADISON, Wis. – With the Mega Millions jackpot at $510 Million and Powerball at $470 Million, the multi-state Lottery games have combined jackpots of nearly $1 Billion. This is the highest the combined jackpots have been since October 2018 when the dueling jackpot runs produced a $1.537 billion Mega Millions jackpot (South Carolina win) and a $687.8
Million Powerball jackpot (Iowa and New York wins).

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The Mega Millions jackpot is the eighth largest jackpot in the game’s history. The estimated jackpot for the Friday, January 8 drawing is $510 Million annuity ($377.4 Million cash).

The Powerball jackpot is the tenth largest jackpot in the game’s history. The estimated jackpot for the Saturday, January 9 drawing is $470 Million annuity ($362.7 Million cash).

This is the highest the Powerball jackpot has been since March 2019 when a $768.4 Million jackpot was won in Wisconsin.

“This is only the third time in the history of Powerball and Mega Millions we’ve had jackpots larger than $450 Million at the same time,” said Cindy Polzin, Wisconsin Lottery Director. “I am so excited for our players. Good luck to WINsconsin this weekend!”

The last jackpot-winning Mega Millions ticket was purchased by a lucky Wisconsin winner, Adrian Tongson of Racine.

Tongson claimed his $120 Million ($95.4 Million cash) Mega Millions jackpot on November 10. Kwik Trip #134 (4924 Spring St.) in Mount Pleasant sold the winning ticket for the September 15 drawing. This was Wisconsin’s first Mega Millions jackpot win since Wisconsin debuted the game on January 31, 2010.

Wisconsin has had other big Mega Millions winners, with 64 $1 Million winning tickets purchased in the state since 2010. In 2020, there were seven Powerball jackpot-winning tickets, with the highest jackpot being won in Florida in January ($396.2 Million). In June 2020, two Wisconsin friends from the Menomonie area split the Powerball jackpot of $22
Million with a ticket purchased at Synergy Coop Exit 45 (2100 County Rd. B) in Menomonie.

The record highest Powerball jackpot ever won was $1.586 billion, which was split between three winners in California, Florida, and Tennessee. Wisconsin has produced 18 Powerball jackpot winners since the game debuted in 1992.

If this jackpot is won, it will be the first winning Powerball jackpot in 2021. Since a September 2020 jackpot hit in New York, there were 32 drawings in a row without a jackpot winner; however, there were still winners. So far, this jackpot roll produced 22 winning $1 Million tickets nationwide from matching five numbers, as well as 10 winning $2 Million tickets from matching five numbers and purchasing the Power Play option. Mega Millions tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Mega Millions drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 p.m. Tickets must be purchased before 9 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday to be included in that day’s drawing. The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24 and the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350. Megaplier does not apply to the jackpot.

The overall odds of winning a Powerball prize are 1 in 24.9 and the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338. Powerball drawings are Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:59 p.m. Tickets must be purchased before 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday to be included in that day’s drawing. Powerball tickets are $2 per play with the option to purchase the Power Play feature for an additional dollar which could increase potential winnings. The 10x multiplier is only in play when the advertised annuity jackpot is $150 Million or less.

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