Mega Millions Jackpot Rises to $257 million
It could be a green Christmas for someone who hits the $257 million Mega Millions jackpot on Tuesday night.
The multi-state lottery has not had a winner in 17 drawings going back to October 1. The wiinning numbers drawn Friday night: 9,41,43,47,57 and the Megaball was 5. There was one winner of $5 million for matching five numbers without the Megaball sold in Kentucky.
Tuesday's jackpot has a cash value of $139 million.
Mega Millions made several rule changes in October to allow for higher, faster growing jackpots without raising the $1 ticket price. The game's minimum jackpot is now $15 million and will rollover a minimum $5 million when there is no jackpot winner.The game's second prize rose to $1 million and utilizes an optional "Megaplier" feature that increases the jackpot for winner who match that number as well.
New Jersey has been a very lucky state for jackpot winners in the Powerball and Mega Millions games. Angel Guallpa-Mayancela of Orange claimed a jackpot of $89 million in January, Giuseppe “Joe” Garofalo of Tinton Falls won a $99 million jackpot in May while Darryl and Judy Smith of Mays Landing also won a $30 million jackpot in May.
Those winnings were overshadowed by the larger jackpots for Powerball also sold in New Jersey this year. Two of three winning Powerball tickets for a $411 million jackpot in August were sold to the "Ocean's 16" group of Ocean County employees who pooled their money to purchase a ticket and Mario Scarnici of Monmouth Junction.
Pedro Quezada of Passaic won a $338 million Powerball jackpot in March but has since run into legal issues with a former girlfriend who claims she should be awarded part of the jackpot since they have been in a relationship for 10 years, have a child together and are business partners in a Passaic grocery store.
Be the first to know what Tuesday's Mega Millions numbers are by texting NEWS to 89000.
NJ 101.5 SMS Alerts (Max 8msg/mth); T&C and Privacy Policy at 89000.mobi. Reply STOP to opt-out or HELP for help. Msg & Data rates may apply.