Nobody had a ticket with all numbers in Friday’s multi-state Mega Millions lottery — played in Washington and 41 other jurisdictions — so the jackpot will rise to $290 million for Tuesday night’s drawing.
If business is brisk in the 40 states and District of Columbia in which Mega Millions is played, the jackpot could rise to $300 million or beyond. To win, your ticket must hit the five numbers plus the Mega Ball sixth number. Those odds are one in 176 million, say Washington State Lottery officials.
With no one has picked the winning numbers for 15 straight drawings dating back to early November.
The estimated lump-sum cash value of Tuesday’s $290 million jackpot — which after taxes is taken in a 26-year annuity — is $182.6 million . . . meaning the winner could walk away with $182.6 million before taxes instead of receiving 11 million annually for 26 years.
The Mega Millions game is played in 41 states and the District of Columbia.
The largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever was won in March 2007, when two Mega Millions winners split $390 million. The highest single winner hit the $315 million jackpot in 2005.
