The Mega Millions Christmas Eve drawing has reached an astounding $1 billion jackpot, marking the seventh time in the game’s 20-year history that the prize has surpassed this milestone.
Tuesday night’s winning numbers were 11, 14, 38, 45, 46, and Mega Ball 3. The jackpot, if claimed as a cash prize, totals $448.8 million.
Joshua Johnston, director of the Mega Millions Consortium, highlighted the excitement of the jackpot during the holiday season, noting the magic of waking up on Christmas Day to discover a $1 billion win.
Mega Millions tickets cost $2, but the odds of winning the grand prize stand at just 1 in 302.5 million. Earlier this year, an $810 million jackpot was claimed by a Texas resident who purchased their ticket at a convenience store in Sugar Land.
Tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington, DC, and the US Virgin Islands, with drawings held every Tuesday and Friday in Atlanta, Georgia.
Starting in April 2025, Mega Millions will increase its ticket price to $5 per play, introducing enhanced odds, larger and more frequent jackpots, and bigger starting prizes. These changes aim to enhance the experience for players while maintaining Mega Millions as one of the most popular lotteries worldwide.