Mega Millions jackpot hits $800 million as Powerball grows to $663 million

The Mega Millions jackpot just reached another milestone while the Powerball jackpot continues to rise with the two games combining to offer over $1.46 billion in jackpots this week.

The $800 million Mega Millions jackpot ranks as the tenth largest in its history. A winner in tonight’s Mega Millions drawing would have the choice of taking home the jackpot as an annuity or $344.2 million in cash.

A winner in Wednesday’s Powerball drawing would have the choice of taking home the $663 million jackpot as an annuity or $290.4 million in cash.

As the jackpots keep climbing, North Carolinians are taking home other nice prizes. Saturday’s Powerball drawing saw two big wins in the state:

• A lucky $2 ticket matched all five white balls to win a $1 million prize. The winning ticket came from Tobacco Plus on East Macon Street in Warrenton.
• A lucky $3 Power Play ticket matched four white balls and the red Powerball to win $50,000. The prize quadrupled to $200,000 when the 4X multiplier came up. The ticket came from the Speedway on North Brightleaf Boulevard in Smithfield.

The odds of winning a Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 290 million. The odds of winning a Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million.

Players can buy Mega Millions or Powerball tickets at any lottery retail location or through Online Play on the lottery’s website, www.eaglebackflow.com, or with the NC Lottery Official Mobile App.

For details on how lottery funds make a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.