The Mega Millions jackpot came close to $ 1 billion after no one hit the six numbers during Tuesday night’s draw.
The winning numbers were 10, 19, 26, 28, 50 and the Mega Ball of 16. Eleven tickets corresponded to the first five numbers to win at least $ 1 million. Tickets were sold in Florida, California, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington.
No one has won the Mega Millions jackpot since September, when a player in Wisconsin won $ 120 million, officials said on Wednesday in a statement. It is the longest that Mega Millions has been without a grand prize winner.
The jackpot is now $ 970 million, the third highest jackpot in the game’s history, officials said. The next draw is Friday.
The winner can choose between the $ 970 million annuity option, which is granted over 30 years, or the $ 716.3 million cash option, which pays an immediate amount. Many typically choose the cash option, with about half of the lottery winnings reverting to taxes.
Download the NBC News app for the latest news
The odds of winning are 1 in 302,575,360 in the 45 states where the game is played, including Washington, DC and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to Mega Millions officials.
Players have a chance at another grand prize. The Powerball draw is Wednesday night and $ 730 million is at stake.
