Mega Millions® Jackpot rockets to Record $868M

With no winner in Tuesday night’s Mega Millions® drawing, the South Carolina Education Lottery announces that Friday’s drawing has rocketed to an unprecedented $868 million, which is the largest jackpot in Mega Millions® history. That’s a $494 million cash payout for whoever can overcome odds of 1 in 303 million. The Education Lottery urges players to play smart by playing responsibly and to safeguard your prize by signing the back of your ticket. “While it’s fun to imagine what it would be like to win a life changing jackpot, don’t forget what’s important,” said SC Lottery Executive Director Hogan Brown. “Play in moderation and certainly do not spend money you don’t have or need for more important uses.” In Tuesday night’s drawing more than 55,000 players in South Carolina won prizes from $2 up to $50,000. A ticket worth $50,000 was sold at the The Wildwood Market in Lugoff. Ticket sales leading up to Friday’s drawing are expected to be strong nationally, meaning the jackpot will likely loom even larger as the drawing nears. Tuesday’s jackpot already shattered the record previously set by Mega Millions, when a $656 million jackpot captivated the nation in March of 2012. Tickets for Friday’s $868 million jackpot are available at lottery retailers statewide. Tickets cost $2, and in South Carolina must be purchased by 10pm for Friday’s 11pm drawing.