Mega Millions Jackpot Climbs to $1.22 Billion for Tonight's Drawing, Fifth-Largest in History

Dec 27, 2024, 05:15 PM

The Mega Millions jackpot has surged to $1.22 billion for the Friday, December 27, 2024 drawing, making it the fifth-largest prize in the game's history. The jackpot increased after no ticket matched the winning numbers drawn on Christmas Eve. Tickets are $2 each, and the cash option for the prize is estimated at $549.7 million. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350, while the odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24. Depending on state taxes, winners could miss out on a substantial portion of their winnings, with some states claiming up to $125 million in taxes.