US Lottery Players Spurned Again as Jackpot Climbs to $1.55 billion
There hasn’t been a jackpot winner in 31 consecutive drawings. The most recent Mega Millions jackpot winner was on April 18.
For a single winner who choose the annuity option with payments spread over 30 years, the $1.55 billion prize would be awarded. The average winner chooses a lump-sum payout, which on Tuesday would be almost $757.2 million.
Federal taxes would take a sizable portion of such prizes, and many states additionally tax lottery payouts.
The odds of matching the numbers on five white balls and one additional mega ball are one in 302.6 million, which is why the jackpot is so difficult to win. The chances of winning smaller awards, which start at $2, are better.
In 45 states, Mega Millions is played.