Maryland Lottery Archives

Mega Millions jackpot surges to $1 billion

MD Lottery The estimated annuity jackpot for the Friday, October 19 Mega Millions drawing has been raised to $1 billion. The estimated cash value is $565.6 million.

It marks the largest jackpot in Mega Millions history and the second-largest in lottery history, trailing only the $1.586 billion Powerball jackpot in January of 2016.

The previous record Mega Millions jackpot was $656 million, shared by winners in Kansas, Illinois, and Maryland in March of 2012.

“This is truly uncharted territory, and it’s exciting to see people across the country buying their tickets and joining in the fun,” said Gordon Medenica, Mega Millions Lead Director and the Director of Maryland Lottery and Gaming. “ Hitting the $1 billion mark for the first time is historic, and we can’t wait to meet the winner s who will share in that history.”

The Mega Millions jackpot has been building since it was last hit on July 24, when a group of 11 co-workers in California shared a $543 million jackpot.

The jackpot isn’t the only prize: In the 24 drawings since July 24, more than 22 million winning tickets have been sold across the game’s nine prize levels, including 34 winners of at least $1 million.

If the October 19 jackpot is not hit, the next jackpot would be estimated at $1.6 billion.

Mega Millions tickets are $2 and are sold in 44 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held at 11 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Mega Millions jackpot soars to new record $900 million

Forget about a measly $667 million. The Mega Millions jackpot has been climbing since late July, and on Wednesday, it reached a new all-time high.

The estimated annuity value of the jackpot in Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing has been raised to $900 million after no one won the prize during Tuesday night’s drawing.

The jackpot is the game’s history.

The previous record jackpot in Mega Millions was a $656 million prize that was shared by winners from Kansas, Illinois, and Maryland in March 2012.

Meanwhile, the Powerball jackpot for Wednesday’s drawing has rolled to an estimated annuity of $345 million. The estimated cash value is $199 million.

All estimated jackpot amounts are before taxes.

The Mega Millions jackpot has been increasing since a group of 11 co-workers in Santa Clara County, California, shared a $543 million prize – the fourth-largest in the game’s history – in the July 24, 2018 drawing. The current Powerball jackpot has been on the rise since a Staten Island, N.Y., man won a $245.6 million jackpot in the August 11, 2018 drawing.

The largest Powerball jackpot was $1.586 billion, which was shared by winners in California, Florida, and Tennessee in January 2016.

Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. ET. Tickets are sold in 44 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Powerball drawings are held Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. ET. Tickets are sold in 44 states, Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Mega Millions jackpot climbs to new record $667 million

The Mega Millions jackpot has been climbing since late July, and on Tuesday it reached a new all-time high.

The estimated annuity value of the jackpot in Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing was raised to $667 million, making it the largest in the game’s history and third-largest in U.S. lottery jackpot history.

The estimated cash value is $380 million.

The previous record jackpot in Mega Millions was a $656 million prize that was shared by winners from Kansas, Illinois, and Maryland in March 2012.

“It’s always a thrill to have both jackpots rolling, but there’s an extra spark now with Mega Millions reaching a new record,” said Gordon Medenica, Mega Millions Lead Director and Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director. “Everyone is talking about the jackpot and running out to buy tickets for tonight’s drawing.”

If there is no jackpot winner in Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing, the estimated annuity value for the Friday, October 19 drawing will roll to $868 million, with an estimated cash value of $495 million.

Meanwhile, the Powerball jackpot for Wednesday’s drawing has rolled to an estimated annuity of $345 million. The estimated cash value is $199 million.

All estimated jackpot amounts are before taxes.

The Mega Millions jackpot has been increasing since a group of 11 co-workers in Santa Clara County, California, shared a $543 million prize – the fourth-largest in the game’s history – in the July 24 drawing. The current Powerball jackpot has been on the rise since a Staten Island, N.Y., man won a $245.6 million jackpot in the August 11 drawing.

The largest Powerball jackpot was $1.586 billion, which was shared by winners in California, Florida, and Tennessee in January 2016.

Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. ET. Tickets are sold in 44 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Powerball drawings are held Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. ET. Tickets are sold in 44 states, Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Middle River man snags winning $10K Md. Lottery scratch-off

A Middle River man is celebrating a bit of luck.

The 57-year-old cashed in a $10,000 top prize on an OLD BAY® Bucks instant ticket.

He found his lucky scratch-off the at Food Lion located at 1413 Fuselage Avenue, also in Middle River.

A single $10,000 top prize remains in the popular $2 scented scratch-off game, along with more than 50 winners worth $500 to $5,000.

Nottingham market sells winning $100K Md. Lottery scratch-off

Avid Baltimore Ravens fan Eric Johnson is doing a celebration dance after his winning Ravens X10 scratch-off landed him the game’s second $100,000 top prize.

A series of errands put the winning $5 scratch-off in his hand. After a quick trip to an auto store, the Baltimore County resident headed to Paul’s Market at 4571 Ridge Road in Nottingham. The 44-year-old purchased a $5 Ravens X10 scratch-off to play later.

“When I got home around lunchtime, I decided I’d scratch my Ravens X10 ticket,” he said. Eric typically scratches off the numbers on the instant ticket first to see if they match the winning numbers.

Confusion set in when he saw a matching number over a $100,000 prize.

“My heart sank,” he said. “I initially thought that the prize amount on the ticket was a mistake! After I realized I wasn’t reading the ticket wrong, that’s when I started shaking and called for my wife, who was in the shower at the time.”

Joann, who has been married to Eric for 18 years, said she thought he was playing a joke on her.

“When I found out he wasn’t joking and I looked at the ticket myself, I think we were both in shock together,” she said. “Eric has had an amazingly lucky year.”

The Nottingham resident also was randomly selected as one of 30 contestants competing Saturday in the Maryland Lottery’s $100,000 Mania Event at the Maryland State Fair. The Maryland Lottery will select the 30th contestant Saturday at the fair through a special drawing. Fairgoers can enter the drawing at the lottery’s booth in Exhibition Hall.

The excited pair plans to use a portion of their winnings for their son’s education and for a trip to Key West this year.

“We feel truly blessed,” said Joann.

The lucky retailer shares in the fun of their win. For selling a winning scratch-off of $100,000, the Maryland Lottery will give Paul’s Market at 4571 Ridge Road a $1,000 bonus.