Another night, another chance to win a big lottery prize
DES MOINES, Iowa – Another night, another chance to win a big lottery prize.
On Wednesday night, it will be a $ 550 million Powerball prize. It will come just one day after no one has won a $ 625 million jackpot from Mega Millions, causing the prize to grow to $ 750 million before the next draw on Friday night.
The Mega Millions prize is now the fifth largest in the history of the United States.
It is only the second time that the two national lottery games have reached US $ 500 million.
The prizes have grown so much because it has been months since someone hit all six numbers and won one of the jackpots. The chances of winning everything are incredibly small, one at 292.2 million for Powerball and one at 302.5 million for Mega Millions.
The jackpots listed by the lotteries are for winners who choose to pay through an annuity of more than 30 years. Almost all winners opt for the cash option, which for Powerball would be around $ 411.4 million and for Mega Millions it would be $ 550.6 million.
Mega Millions and Powerball are played in 45 states, as well as in Washington, DC and the US Virgin Islands. Powerball is also offered in Puerto Rico.