2018 Press Releases

Dueling MEGA MILLIONS®, POWERBALL® Jackpots Now total $1.02 Billion

Mega Millions jackpot tonight is $450 million, while Saturday’s Powerball jackpot has rolled to $570 million

(DOVER, Del.) — January has brought frigid temperatures to much of the country, but the winter season has done nothing to chill the blazing-hot jackpot rolls for Mega Millions and Powerball. The two games have reached a combined jackpot total of $1.02 billion – the third-largest combined total ever.

The jackpot in tonight’s Mega Millions drawing is an estimated $450 million, the fourth-largest in the game’s history and 11th-largest in U.S. lottery jackpot history. The estimated cash value is $281.2 million. Meanwhile, there was no jackpot winner in Wednesday’s Powerball drawing, and the jackpot for Saturday has rolled to an estimated $570 million. It’s the fifth-largest in Powerball history and seventh-largest in U.S. jackpot history. The estimated cash value is $358.5 million. (Estimated jackpot amounts are before taxes).

“The Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots are reaching historic levels, and that generates interest from everyone all across the country," said Gordon Medenica, Mega Millions Lead Director and Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director. “When the jackpots reach these levels, everyone starts to daydream about what they would do if they won. That’s what makes a jackpot roll so exciting, and to have two of them makes it even more fun.”

“With combined Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots reaching more than $1 billion, players across the country have two amazing opportunities to become multimillionaires over the next two days,” said Charlie McIntyre, Powerball Product Group Chairman and New Hampshire Lottery Executive Director. “Together, Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots are reaching nearly unprecedented levels—only the record $1.56 billion Powerball jackpot of January 2016 beats the current joint total. It only takes one ticket to win, so we encourage players all over the United States to play and to play responsibly.”

The current Mega Millions jackpot has been increasing since players in Rhode Island and Michigan split the $43 million jackpot for the October 13 drawing. The current Powerball jackpot has been on the rise since October 25, when a Louisiana player claimed a $191 million jackpot.

The largest Powerball jackpot on record was a $1.586 billion jackpot in January 2016. That jackpot was shared by winners in California, Florida, and Tennessee.

The largest Mega Millions jackpot in history was $656 million—three winners from Kansas, Illinois and Maryland shared that record prize in March 2012.

Powerball drawings are held Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 PM ET.

Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 PM ET and tickets are on sale until 9:50 PM tonight.

About the Delaware Lottery:
Since the start of operations in 1975, the Delaware Lottery has contributed more than $4.9 billion to the state’s General Fund to help finance needed state services that benefit everyone in Delaware. The Lottery offers a variety of games: POWERBALL®, MEGA MILLIONS®, LOTTO AMERICA℠, MULTI-WIN LOTTO, LUCKY FOR LIFE®, PLAY 3, PLAY 4, Keno®, iGaming and assorted Instant Games, Video Lottery, Sports Lottery and Table Games. Delaware Lottery game and promotional details are available at delottery.com, at licensed locations, and from the Lottery’s office in Dover.

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The Delaware Lottery only publishes winner names with their consent.