A man walks his dog past lottery signs Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, displaying the recent jackpot amounts in Chicago's fames Loop. Lottery players have a chance to win the largest jackpots in nearly two years as Tuesday's Mega Millions has grown to an estimated $625 million and Wednesday's Powerball to an estimated $550 million. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Lottery players had a shot Tuesday night at the eighth-largest jackpot in U.S. history, thanks to months without a winner of the big prize.
The Mega Millions $625 million jackpot is the largest lottery prize in nearly two years. The big prize for Powerball, the other national lottery game, isn't far behind, at $550 million for Wednesday night's drawing.
The winning numbers in Tuesday night's drawing of the Mega Millions game were: 12-14-26-28-33, Mega Ball: 09.
The jackpots promoted by lotteries refer to the winnings of those who opt for annuities paid out over 30 years. Nearly all jackpot winners actually take the cash option, which would be an estimated $458.8 million for Mega Millions and $411.4 million for Powerball.
Those dreaming of instant riches might want to remember that the odds of winning Powerball are one in 292.2 million. They're even steeper for Mega Millions, at one in 302.5 million.
Mega Millions and Powerball are both played in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball also is offered in Puerto Rico.
Lottery signs remind motorists Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, the jackpot amounts at a downtown Chicago gas station. Lottery players have a chance to win the largest jackpots in nearly two years as Tuesday's Mega Millions has grown to $625 million and Wednesday's Powerball to $550 million. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Associated Press
A digital lottery billboard on the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, shows the recent jackpot for the Mega Millions game. Lottery players have a chance to win the largest jackpots in nearly two years as Tuesday's Mega Millions has grown to an estimated $625 million and Wednesday's Powerball to an estimated $550 million. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Associated Press
A digital lottery billboard on the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, shows the recent jackpots for the Mega Millions and Powerball games. Lottery players have a chance to win the largest jackpots in nearly two years as Tuesday's Mega Millions has grown to an estimated $625 million and Wednesday's Powerball to an estimated $550 million. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Associated Press