Mega Millions Lottery Results in World Record $540 Million Jackpot
The lottery just keeps growing and on Thursday lottery officials increased the jackpot for Mega Millions to a whopping $540 million, making it the largest jackpot in world history, according to lottery officials.
"It's spiraling out of control … This is uncharted territory," lottery spokesman Elias Dominguez said, adding that he is not sure how large the jackpot would be by the time of the drawing on Friday.
Dominguez explained that he has been in meetings with lottery official's every day since Tuesday in preparation for what could be a huge payday for one lucky player, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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With so many players playing so many different number combinations, "there's a good likelihood someone will hit it tomorrow," Dominguez said.
He added: "Somebody's life is going to change … It's really exciting."
The previous record jackpot in the Mega Millions lottery was $390 million in 2007. There were two winners for that jackpot one from New Jersey and the other from Georgia. The prize was split between them.
Mega Millions is currently played in 42 states as well as Washington, D.C. and the Virgin Islands.
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. The game is played when five balls are drawn from a set of balls numbered one through 56; the Mega ball is drawn from a set of balls numbered one through 46.
Players who choose to add the Megaplier option for an extra dollar to their ticket and end up hitting the that number are eligible to receive up to four times the value of their original winning ticket, excluding the jackpot.
The odds of hitting the jackpot are 1 in 176 million while the odds for the overall chances of winning any prize are 1 in 40. Should anyone win they have 180 days to claim their prize.
Gaming officials state that players do not need to buy an excessive amount of tickets because it does not increase a person's chances of winning; however, expect long waits at lottery machines.
