News

Mega Millions increases jackpot to $309M for drawing

ATLANTA — The Mega Millions jackpot has jumped to $309 million for tonight’s drawing.

The Mega Millions jackpot began rolling Jan. 7 and has rolled 18 times.

One lucky ticket worth $5,000 was purchased in Valdosta from the March 7 drawing.

Mega Millions offers two jackpot payment options: the $309 million annuity prize paid out as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual graduated payments; or the cash option, which is approximately $169 million.

It only takes $1 to play Mega Millions for a chance to win big. Players can multiply prizes with the Megaplier option for an additional $1 per play.

As with all other Georgia Lottery games, proceeds from Mega Millions will benefit education in the state of Georgia.

Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corp. has returned more than $15 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs, including Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia’s Pre-K Program. More than 1.6 million students have received HOPE, and more than 1.3 million 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program.

MEGA MILLIONS

Draw Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Estimated Jackpot Amount: $309 million

Annuity Amount: Jackpot prize paid out as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual graduated payments

Cash Option Amount: Approximately $169 million

Cost to Play: $1 per play; an additional $1 per play to add the Megaplier

Drawings: 11 p.m. (ET) every Tuesday and Friday

Overall Odds of Winning Any Prize: Approximately 1:14

Odds of Winning Jackpot Prize: Approximately 1:259 million

Date Jackpot Began Rolling: Jan. 7, 2014

Number of Rolls: 18

Last Winning Jackpot Ticket: Jan. 3, 2014 - $61 million (Tennessee winner)

#1 Mega Millions Jackpot: March 30, 2012 - $656 million (Maryland, Illinois and Kansas winners)

For more information on the Georgia Lottery Corp. and Mega Millions, please visit:

www.galottery.com, www.lotterybenefitsgeorgians.com and www.megamillions.com