Mega Millions Joins Powerball with $200M Jackpot

Mega Millions is a lottery game often under Powerball's shadow, but the Mega Million numbers drought is now very close to Powerball levels. Mega Millions held its latest lottery drawing last night, and once again, no one had all of the Mega Millions numbers. As such, Mega Millions has now merely become the latest lottery game to reach a milestone jackpot. Therefore, when Mega Millions returns for its next drawing on Friday night, the players can try their hand at hitting every number and winning over $200 million for it.

Mega Millions numbers last night were 4, 5, 26, 37 and 56, with the Mega Ball at 25. If someone had hit all of these Mega Millions numbers, they would have won $170 million. Instead, Mega Millions is now the second lottery game to have a current jackpot of over $200 million.

No one has hit all of the Mega Millions numbers since July, as the jackpot now rises through the Mega Millions record books. Yet it still pales slightly in comparison to Powerball, as that lottery game is still in the lead for most expensive lottery grand prize.

Due to increased sales, tonight's Powerball jackpot will be worth an even $250 million. Although Mega Millions has gone a long time without anyone hitting all the numbers, Powerball has been high and dry even longer. Now both lottery games can net a lucky player more than a tidy fortune.

Powerball and Mega Millions have each reached their share of high jackpots before, but rarely have they done it at the same time. If their droughts go on any higher, their grand prizes will approach record-setting status, as they inch closer to being worth over $300 million.

The record for most expensive Mega Millions numbers is still $390 million, reached in March 2007. Powerball is closer to its record, which was $365 million in February 2007. Powerball was the wealthier game at that time, but Mega Millions surpassed it a month later, and it could do the same again in this case.

Though no one hit all of the Mega Millions numbers last night, over a dozen players won the second prize of $250,000 by getting the first five numbers. Even Powerball has struggled to give out that many $250,000 tickets in this drought.

Mega Millions players have until Friday to pick out some new winning numbers. But Powerball could steal the thunder once again if no one hits their drawing tonight, and their jackpot reaches the magical $300 million range.

Sources

Philadelphia Inquirer- "Mega Millions rises again, Powerball gets sweetened" www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20090819_Mega_Millions_rises_again__Powerball_gets_sweetened.html

AJC.com- "Mega Millions jackpot climbs over $200 million" www.ajc.com/news/mega-millions-jackpot-climbs-118888.html