The new year is beginning with some huge Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots, giving players this weekend a shot at a combined $1.265 billion.
There was no Mega Millions jackpot winner Tuesday, or Powerball jackpot winner Wednesday.
Friday’s Mega Millions drawing rolls to an estimated $940 million with a cash option of $483.5 million.
In more than 20 years since the game began in 2002, there have been just three larger jackpots than Friday’s estimated prize. The Mega Millions record remains $1.537 billion, won by a single ticket in South Carolina on October 23, 2018. Two years ago, a $1.05 billion prize was won in Michigan on January 22, 2021, and there was that big $1.337 billion jackpot won in Illinois last July.
Saturday’s Powerball drawing rolls to an estimated $325 Million with a cash option of $165.2 Million million.
The largest ever Powerball jackpot of $2.04 billion was won by a single ticket in California on Nov. 8, 2022.