The two biggest lottery games in the United States are both seeing their jackpots soar this week, with the Mega Millions and Powerball’s top prizes each nearing, or exceeding, $500 million.
According to officials, the jackpot for the Monday Powerball drawing currently sits at an estimated $650 million, with a cash-out value of $328.3 million.
The next drawing for Mega Millions, which will occur Tuesday, is estimated to have a $480 million jackpot, with a cash-out value of $240.7 million.
If someone wins the Powerball on Monday, it would go down as roughly the 14th-largest lottery jackpot awarded in U.S. history. It would also be the third-highest awarded this year, trailing the $754.6 million Powerball jackpot from Feb. 6 and the $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot awarded on Jan. 13.
A total of 25 jackpots in U.S. history have exceeded $500 million, according to Powerball and Mega Millions’ websites.
Powerball drawings take place Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 9:59 p.m. Central. The Mega Millions draws on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 p.m. Central.
In the Powerball drawing, five numbers are chosen from a set numbered 1-to-69, and a Powerball is also picked between 1-to-26. A winning player must match all five numbers and the Powerball to claim the jackpot. Other prizes are also available.
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Five balls are drawn from a set numbered 1-to-70, and a Megaball is also added. A player who matches all five numbers and the Megaball collects the jackpot. Other prizes are also available in the game, with a “Megaplier” option available on tickets to potentially increase those prizes.
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