In Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing, no one won the jackpot. However, five lucky tickets matched the first five numbers, earning $1 million each. These tickets were sold in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, according to the Mega Millions website.
A Record-Breaking Year for Mega Millions
This year has been extraordinary for Mega Millions jackpots. Since the game began in 2002, it’s the first time all jackpots won have been among the top 10 largest prizes ever.
- March 2023: A New Jersey ticket holder won $1.13 billion.
- June 2023: An Illinois player claimed $552 million through an online lottery purchase.
- September 2023: A Houston-area resident won $800 million after buying a ticket at a gas station in Sugar Land, Texas.
December: A Lucky Month for Players
December has historically been a lucky month for Mega Millions players, with 13 jackpots won during the holiday season. However, winning on Christmas Eve has only happened once, according to Mega Millions.
The Odds and the Holiday Spirit
Winning the Mega Millions jackpot is no easy feat, with odds standing at about 1 in 302.5 million. Still, ticket sales tend to increase during the holidays.
Joshua Johnston, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, explained why:
“There’s just really not a product on the market for two bucks that gives you the chance to imagine and dream about winning that sum of money,” Johnston said. “It’s especially fun to think about during the holidays, when there’s already a sense of magic in the air.”
Conclusion
While the jackpot remains unclaimed, the excitement of Mega Millions continues to captivate players, especially during the festive season. For many, the dream of winning is worth the $2 ticket—and adds a little extra magic to the holidays.
