Second jackpot increase since Saturday
By Todd Northrop
For the second time in two days, the multi-state Mega Millions lottery jackpot has been raised due to surging ticket sales for a chance to win a half-billion dollars.
If one person wins tonight's Mega Millions jackpot, they will now have the option of taking home a $522 million annuity prize paid in 30 installments over 29 years, or a lump-sum cash payout of $308.1 million.
With millions of people dreaming about what they could do with that kind of money, United States lotteries are printing lottery tickets at a breakneck pace.
Anyone looking to play Mega Millions in tonight's drawing and has not yet purchased their tickets should not hesitate to get to the store right away.
If you're not sure where to buy your tickets, or you're looking for a store with a shorter line, head right over to the Lottery Places website to download the free app on your phone or Windows 10 computer. Lottery Places is the only app on the market that will locate lottery retailers in every state and jurisdiction throughout the United States, as well as Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom.
Michigan residents have the easiest time obtaining their tickets, since the state offers Mega Millions lottery tickets for sale on their website.
Due to the overwhelming demand to see the winning numbers tonight after the drawing, players are advised to first check USA Mega (www.usamega.com) because that website is more likely than most to be up and running.
Tonight's jackpot started at $40 million on May 8, 2018, and is the result of 22 drawings with no jackpot winner.
When nobody won the latest drawing on Friday night, the initial estimate for tonight's drawing was established at $493 million. Monday, that estimate was raised to $512 million. Now, less than 24 hours after that, lottery officials again raised the official estimate to $522 million.
According to the Texas Lottery, if nobody wins tonight, the new Mega Millions jackpot for the Friday night drawing will be $630 million. And who knows how big it will grow by draw time.
Mega Millions jackpots start at $40 million and roll until the jackpot is won. Players win the jackpot by matching five numbers from a field of 70 numbers and one Mega Ball number from a field of 25 numbers. Drawings are conducted each Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 pm Eastern Time.
Tickets for the game cost $2 each. For an additional $1 per play, the Megaplier option will multiply any non-jackpot prize won on a ticket by 2 to 5 times, depending on the multiplier number drawn that evening.
The only state that does not offer the Megaplier is California, because state law banning fixed lottery prize amounts is not compatible with the fixed nature of the Megaplier payouts.
In many states, Mega Millions also offers an optional $3 wager called Just the Jackpot that allows players to receive two entries for a chance to win the game's jackpot prize only.
Lottery players can see an after-tax analysis of the current Mega Millions jackpot by visiting USA Mega's Jackpot Analysis page.
Mega Millions features nine different prize levels, ranging from $2 all the way up to the jackpot. Players can win even if they just match one number — the Mega Ball number.
Mega Millions lottery results are published within minutes of the drawing at USA Mega (www.usamega.com). The USA Mega website provides lottery players in-depth information about the United States's two biggest multi-state lottery games, Mega Millions and Powerball.
Top 25 United States lottery jackpots of all time
Tuesday's Mega Millions jackpot currently stands as the 11th-largest lottery jackpot of all time in the United States. That position may rise before the drawing, as lotteries are typically conservative in their initial estimates, and brisk sales may push the jackpot estimate higher by draw time.
- Powerball: $1.5864 billion, Jan. 13, 2016 - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Powerball: $758.7 million, Aug. 23, 2017 - Massachusetts
- Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Mega Millions: $636 million, Dec. 17, 2013 - California, Georgia
- Powerball: $590.5 million, May 18, 2013 - Florida
- Powerball: $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012 - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $564.1 million, Feb. 11, 2015 - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- Powerball: $559.7 million, Jan. 6, 2018 - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $536 million, Jul. 8, 2016 - Indiana
- Mega Millions: $533 million, Mar. 30, 2018 - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $522 million, Jul. 24, 2018 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $487 million, Jul. 30, 2016 - New Hampshire
- Powerball: $456.7 million, Mar. 17, 2018 - Pennsylvania
- Mega Millions: $451 million, Jan. 5, 2018 - Florida
- Powerball: $448.4 million, Aug. 7, 2013 - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
- Powerball: $447.8 million, Jun. 10, 2017 - California
- Powerball: $435.3 million, Feb. 22, 2017 - Indiana
- Powerball: $429.6 million, May 7, 2016 - New Jersey
- Powerball: $425.3 million, Feb. 19, 2014 - California
- Powerball: $420.9 million, Nov. 26, 2016 - Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $414 million, Mar. 18, 2014 - Florida, Maryland
- Powerball: $399.4 million, Sep. 18, 2013 - South Carolina
- Mega Millions: $393 million, Aug. 11, 2017 - Illinois
- Mega Millions: $390 million, Mar. 6, 2007 - Georgia, New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $380 million, Jan. 4, 2011 - Idaho, Washington
For those keeping score, the number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 15
- Mega Millions: 10
Top 25 cash value jackpots
Since many lottery winners collect their winnings in cash, the lump-sum payout is an important measure of what a winning ticket could be worth.
Looking at the cash value, the upcoming Mega Millions jackpot ranks as the 12th-largest cash value in U.S. history.
- Powerball: $983.5 million cash, Jan. 13, 2016 ($1.5864 billion annuity) - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Powerball: $480.5 million cash, Aug. 23, 2017 ($758.7 million annuity) - Massachusetts
- Mega Millions: $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Powerball: $384.7 million cash, Nov. 28, 2012 ($587.5 million annuity) - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $381.1 million cash, Feb. 11, 2015 ($564.1 million annuity) - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- Mega Millions: $378 million cash, Jul. 8, 2016 ($536 million annuity) - Indiana
- Powerball: $370.9 million cash, May 18, 2013 ($590.5 million annuity) - Florida
- Powerball: $352 million cash, Jan. 6, 2018 ($559.7 million annuity) - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $347.6 million cash, Dec. 17, 2013 ($636 million annuity) - California, Georgia
- Powerball: $336.8 million cash, Jul. 30, 2016 ($487 million annuity) - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $324 million cash, Mar. 30, 2018 ($533 million annuity) - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $308.1 million cash, Jul. 24, 2018 ($522 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $284 million cash, May 7, 2016 ($429.6 million annuity) - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $281.9 million cash, Jan. 5, 2018 ($451 million annuity) - Florida
- Powerball: $279.1 million cash, Jun. 10, 2017 ($447.8 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $273.9 million cash, Mar. 17, 2018 ($456.7 million annuity) - Pennsylvania
- Powerball: $263.5 million cash, Feb. 22, 2017 ($435.3 million annuity) - Indiana
- Powerball: $258.2 million cash, Aug. 7, 2013 ($448.4 million annuity) - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
- Powerball: $254.7 million cash, Nov. 26, 2016 ($420.9 million annuity) - Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $246.5 million cash, Aug. 11, 2017 ($393 million annuity) - Illinois
- Mega Millions: $240 million cash, Jan. 4, 2011 ($380 million annuity) - Idaho, Washington
- Mega Millions: $233.1 million cash, Mar. 6, 2007 ($390 million annuity) - Georgia, New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $230.9 million cash, Mar. 18, 2014 ($414 million annuity) - Florida, Maryland
- Powerball: $227.8 million cash, Feb. 19, 2014 ($425.3 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $224.7 million cash, Aug. 15, 2012 ($337 million annuity) - Michigan
The number of cash value jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 15
- Mega Millions: 10
These updates reminds me of a doctor poking his head in the waiting room, of a hospital to remind the anxious Father, that the wife is due to give birth anytime now. This jackpot is in labor.
Thanks a bunch maestro.
That is a scary amount of money. Not that I would decline it however. So what is the thought, going to be won tonight or roll? I have three tickets, yea big spender, but all it takes is one. Good luck all!
If it rolls then this will make it to #5 on the top 25. Who knows where it will end.
I am working with $194 million as my final cash amount. WOW!!
HA! HA!
should be a most curious evening, good luck to all playing
Ah the dream of it all! Bring it on!!!!
I also have a preliminary plan:
194,000,000.00 Cash after 37% Taxes
$20,000,000.00 -- 2 Houses/Yacht/Several vehicles
$2,750,000.00 -- $250,000 upfront cash and set up $2,500,000.00 trust for family member for lifetime $10,000.00 per month income (or maybe buy 10 homes and put in trust for rental income/appreciation)
$10,000,000.00 -- physical gold/silver
$50,000,000.00 -- Max allowed in CDARS (would provide roughly $100,000.00 per month income at 2.7%)
$20,000,000.00 -- Diversified stocks/bonds (reinvest all dividends etc)
$91,250,000.00 -- 500-600 Class 'B' and 'C' Apartment units (should net roughly $400- $500,000.00 per month after all expenses and reserves are funded)
So...... $500- $600,000.00 per month gross income
Minus 37% taxes $185- $200,000.00 (hopefully less with a good accountant)
Net income per month $315 - $400,000.00
Sounds like a lot, but costs A TON for expensive homes/yacht....IE: $12,000.00 per month property taxes, $6,000.00 per month insurance, $2-3,000.00 per month for utilities. Yacht Captain/House Manager, $10,000.00 per month, $10,000.00 per month yacht upkeep and fuel, chef/yacht crew $7,000.00 per month. I would also randomly donate and/or help folks in need, about $20,000.00 per month.
Should leave about $250,000.00 per month to reinvest.
What's your plan????
How big is the yacht ?
70' about $5,000,000.00 they say running it, upkeep and staff is about 10% of the purchase price per year.
SO,
I got an extra ticket ..............
I couldn't resist$
How big is that gold chain hanging around your neck buylow?
I hear ya DP,got 2 more a few hrs ago..
I’m hoping to have a couple more before draw time. I started talking to my husband this morning about his favorite take out meal and how it has been awhile since he stopped after work and brought it home for dinner. Wouldn’t you know it, they just happen to sell lottery tickets there, too.
LottoLucy, There is a couple who live in the Los Angeles area who won big. She wanted KFC but he wanted Hawaiin food. He went to the Hawaiin restaurant and played there. They won the jackpot.
Buylow,
Are you aware you don't have to take the cash option on the entire thing (and pay all the taxes) then get hit with limits on gift tax and other things when you try setting up trusts or buying CDARS.
You can create a trust, then split the ticket to go directly into the trust (depending on the state). And with that split can be paid out lump sum or annuity.
Speaking of annuity, instead paying taxes on lump sum, then buying 50Mill$ of CDARS. You can make a 50Million$ split to pay yourself with the annuity option for the next 30 years, it starts out lower then the calculated average of 139K per month, but increases 5% per year for inflation. And if I remember correctly, it is federally insured like the CDARS. USAMEGA might have the math.
For example, there is a 5.49 (2017) MIllion$ lifetime limit I can give a family member before hitting gift tax, or 14K$ a year. You can do a split payment for a family member of X million, then set it up as lump or annuity and say "here you go, no more from me". The benefit of a trust (but also expense) is you could restrict who/what gets paid and how much.
Of course, always consult your lawyer, tax lawyer, accountant and bookie before making any final decisions.
Interesting, did not know most of this. My ‘plan’ was definitely preliminary and I would surely consult experts before I made any moves. Thanks for the input.
The lifetime exclusion per taxpayer went to $11,180,000 in 2018 and is set to role back to $5,490,000 in, I think, 2025. Now is an excellent time to win a big lottery if you want to be generous to friends and family.
Love how you ended your advice!
Good luck!
With office pools, one person does not cash the check, pays ALL the taxes, then write out checks from their checkbook then pays an additional gift tax. It's been a (too long) while since I had to fill out the form, but it had other lines to split out with a % or $ amt.
Good luck to all
What about states such as KY, IN, CA that will honor office pools? Each participant fills out some IRS form. The state then cuts a check for each person. I remember reading in the CA handout about winning the lottery that I printed over 10 years ago that they will cut up to 100 separate checks. That's the one downfall I don't like about the Massachusetts lottery. They will cut only one check. What's the big deal in taking care of the customer? Certainly there are other states with that archaic way of thinking out there. Thoughts on that, anyone?
.
Just 1 ticket?, or, in your case: just a "couple"?
Please, please folks, do yourselves a favor, and press that extra "0" at the ATM.
Go on, get a hundred bucks out. Tickets are $2 a pop. So, you'll walk away with 50 tickets,
(if not Megapolar), or whatever the heck they call it.
But please, get more tickets. You deserve it. Think about your families. The little ones
who never got their "magic trax" set this past Christmas.
The older folks who've been shut in their rooms for months - who would be best served by those Easy Lift chairs, that attach to the stairs.
So, spend, spend, spend for your Lotto, especially for tonight's drawing.
(what the heck am I talking about? i deserve to win just as much as anyone. . .
"megapolar" groppo? you need something alright, but your help isn't coming from a ticket.)
Ouch, one check?!? I don't know, maybe setup a trust or some corporation. I still think taxes would be higher that way, but no gift tax. Just remember to pay off the mistress.
You ought to take orders for tickets from MD. Tried to get mine in DC yesterday after work but the clerk said many of the machines were down all day. Got mine after work tonight and there was actually a bit of a line. First time I have seen a line at this liquor store .
Artist77; thought you lived in Maryland? You could do a subscription and then be anonymous with your big wins!
I had not heard that story before. Now I feel like those extra tickets are extra lucky! I did end up with three extra tickets and a pretty good pulled pork sandwich.
Good luck!
I see where you are going with this. You want us all to run out and buy extra tickets so when you win the jackpot you will have just that much more in your pocket. Well played, sir, well played.
Texas is like that. They will only pay one "entity". So if our little work pool wins, we have to have an attorney create a trust with a name so we all are part of the entity. If I were to go to Austin and file a claim myself, (I buy the pool tix), then I would be the only one to receive the money. It would be a headache to do the taxes, paperwork, and figure each one's cut.
It would be nice if the state would just cut each of us a check and we would each be responsible for the rest of the taxes, but Texas has never been very friendly toward lottery pools.
Ahhhh, but I am getting ahead of myself. First we must win! (Also, I buy Texas Lotto tix for the group. Not MM or PB.)
I’m glad you were able to get tickets. That is frustrating to go in and be all ready to get tickets and find out that they’re down.
Found out that this will probably be my last big jackpot in Maryland. We are being transferred to the Midwest and it will be a very quick move. No more anonymous tickets.
I’m not sure what will happen with my subscription plays. Hmmm. Better to just win tonight...
Oh no. Sorry to see you move but you will still be on lp?
I would think if you were a MD resident at the start of your subscription, the MD rules would apply for the entire period. But at least you have a very good argument there.
Good luck!
No, in Virginia and work in DC. So buy my tickets in DC where you can claim via a trust. Ruies are silent on the issue and a pb or mm jp winner claimed in dc via a trust in 2009. Virginia only allows an individual to claim.
That would be some decision to have to take cash option or annuity as you stare at your winning ticket!-weshar75
Oh, yeah, I should still be able to hang out on lp.
Other than being a bit of shock this should be a good move. Exciting work for my husband and it puts us within 60 minutes of both sets of aging (don’t dare call them elderly!!) parents.
Turns our nothing will change with my MD subscriptions other than I can’t renew them if I am no longer living in MD. My new state has online purchase for lottery tickets. This will be an exercise in self control. I fear.
Good luck!
Virginia has an online subscription for pb and mm. Tried it for the minimum amount of time. Was not really any fun unless it was a state where I had claiming options.
wonder what the record was for the most members in a BIG payout to win. I recall some factory workers once who claimed a large win. Kellogs place?
I'm thinking that is what will happen this time.
I dread Pool wins.....
I know I'm not going to win...because usually the winner has some epic tale of how they were just going out to get milk and gas, and inspiration told them to buy that ONE Qp.
When I went to get my tickets, there were some "mistake" tickets behind the shopkeeper. I snapped those up as well as the tickets I wanted.
One ticket was a 2-game Mega ticket and the other was a 2-game Power Ball ticket.
I don't know why the person didn't want those tickets and never asked, I just said..."I'll take them!"
I like your plan.
My plan
Hire a lawyer, accountant, and investment team.
Quit my job.
Hide away for 6 months.
First move would to setup emergency fund account and retirement account. Then think about would safe ways to invest my money.
Where would you guys go to hide out? I'm thinking about going to virgin islands.
With the annuity, is the taxes lock in for 30 years. How about the state you win, hikes the lottery tax law by 12%. What will happen to the annuity? If you don't know that is find. When I win will ask and experience lawyer and tax accountant. You just have a good point in your previous post.
I would tour tax havens, Caribbean, Monaco, Italy, Switzerland and Singapore.
I mean this in a jovial manner, so please take it in jest....
When someone is hiding OUT they aren't going to share where that is. Sorta defeats the purpose.
But should you win, I sincerely hope you enjoy the islands. Its tranquility at its finest!
First someone has to win. Then do the plan. A lot of members taking this too seriously.
All birthday numbers drawn, someone will probably win.
1-2-4-19-29 - 20
Had the 1 right....on a single line
Had the 4 right.. on another single line
Had the 19 right... on another single line
Had the 20 right on another single line
I know, lol that why I made up a place. You really think I would tell you, my true location. Have some fun.
Im just happy that there were 3 single digits. I feel like its a better chance for it to roll that way but then again yeah you just never know.
My ticket was 1--8-21-30-39 05 I thought there would be one number that hadn't been hit in a while (the 8)at least one repeat (01) and one number that wasn't a birthday number(39) but yeah I was way off. I had actually had 4 instead of 8 but i changed it at the last minute...still would not have made a difference.
Wow BuyLow, very detailed plan of action. Sounds good. Good luck brother!
Yeah same here the problem with subscriptions for me is that I choose my numbers based on hot and warm numbers which apply at the time I first make the subscription. For the rest of the draws I doubt I've ever won anything. I barely win on the first. So yeah no more subscriptions for me.
Wasn't me ... Got two numbers here ... two there ... no mega ball.
I think someone may have hit it ...
I hope there's more than one winner (if any) and wherever they are it just throws jj into a Leapin' lLena fit!
More than one winner I always hope for that
Definite minority here but I hear ya. Good for you.
I guess since it's getting to 1 am here in Philly, there is no trace of a winning lottery ticket for that jackpot yet. I wonder what Fri is going to be if no winners.
The husband (in this couple that you speak of) just ran for office here in CA...He has had a complete makeover which included loosing a lot of weight (at first I did not recognize him).
And in his campaign ads it clearly states the he was a lottery jackpot winner....
My guess is 637Million if no one wins which will increase to about 662 million right after the draw
I read a report on Twitter that there was at least one winner tonight. The winning ticket was purchased in CA.
LP member won.
This is why I deactivated social media. Twitter is no good. Facebook is no good.
Go to usamega.com and check there. It should be update in few hrs from now.
So you are telling me that the last time Mega Millions had numbers that started in the 40's besides July 17,2018 was November 25, 2016. And the last two drawings conveniently start with a 1 and this drawing had 1,2,4,19,29 (20)????? So 70 numbers in a barrel and it so conveniently happens to pick 1,2,4? Does anyone believe that 3 of the first four numbers in our numbering system was chosen RANDOMLY? It looks like the drawing is running away from a "real" potential winner. I wonder who has been "SELECTED" to win.
Yep, CNN is reporting that the verified twitter account of the California Lottery said the winning ticket was sold in San Jose, CA.
I also received my email from MegaMillions with the results and it also says 1 ticket in Cali won.
If the powers that be really did control which numbers are drawn, then it would have been in their best interest to let the jackpot roll to a billion. Such a huge jackpot would create a lotto frenzy and ticket sales would go through the roof which means more money for them.