Mega Millions Winning Numbers Drought Carries into 2011

The Mega Millions winning numbers ended 2010 on a high note. Although the Mega Millions winning numbers were never hit in the last month and a half of 2010, it just made them even more desirable. In fact, they may soon be more desirable than any in the history of the lottery, at this rate. Last night's final drawing of the year could have finally ended the game's current drought, and handed out one of 2010's biggest jackpot. Instead, the Mega Millions winning numbers have now set the bar high already for 2011, now that $290 will be on the line on Tuesday.

Last night was the 14'th drawing since the last time someone won the grand prize. Thanks to that streak, the jackpot was up to $242 million, which was the second highest of the year. But if no one got lucky again, it would have surpassed the $266 jackpot back in May.

The Mega Millions winning numbers this time around were 10, 12, 13, 35 and 56, with the Mega Ball at 9. After they were chosen, officials searched high and low for a ticket that matched them, and yet again found none.

As such, the grand prize has gone up again, even higher than before. Tuesday's drawing will offer up to $290 million as of now, and will probably become larger over the next few days. If there are no winners on Tuesday, then the jackpot will easily cross $300 million, and be close to 350.

Once more, many players hit the first five Mega Millions winning numbers, and fell one short of claiming the big prize. 17 people came close and failed this past Tuesday, and last night, 21 players nearly won it all. Five of them were in New York, with three in Arizona, two each in California, Georgia, Illinois and New Jersey, and one each in Maryland, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia.

At the least, these men and women will enter the new year with $250,000. But the larger this jackpot gets, the more inadequate the consolation prizes appear by comparison. However, since this drought has gone on so long, it makes it more likely that someone will hit soon.

The lottery has rarely seen a grand prize like this before. When someone finally gets all of the Mega Millions winning numbers, they could claim the biggest individual jackpot of all time. The largest that was ever given out was in 2007 by this very game, when two people split $390 million.

If no one wins in the next week, then the current jackpot could surpass that record. The next Mega Millions winning numbers will be chosen on Tuesday night, to start 2011 on a thrilling and historic note.

Sources

Mega Millions- "Winning Numbers: 12/31/2010"

Atlanta Journal-Constitution- "Mega Millions jackpot grows to $290 million"