Mega Millions jackpot leaps to $145 million

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

ATLANTA – Mega Millions continues to grow with the jackpot for Friday's drawing at an estimated $145 million to a single annuity winner. It only takes $1 for a chance to win big.

"The educational programs funded by the lottery have a positive impact on so many of Georgia's students and families," said Georgia Lottery Corporation President and CEO Margaret DeFrancisco. "As players purchase Mega Millions tickets, they enjoy the chance to become a winner while supporting the HOPE scholarship and Pre-K programs."

Mega Millions offers players two payment options: 26 annual payments in equal installments or a single check worth the cash value of the estimated jackpot. Any lucky Mega Millions player who matches all five white ball numbers, along with the Mega Ball number, could walk away with approximately $5.5 million a year (before taxes) for 26 years with the annuity option. Or a player could select the cash option and win a single check worth approximately $93 million (before taxes).

Any Georgia Lottery retailer who sells a winning Mega Millions jackpot ticket can earn the $25,000 retailer incentive bonus payment. If more than one winning jackpot ticket is sold in Georgia, the retailers selling the winning tickets will share the $25,000 retailer incentive bonus.

As with all other Georgia Lottery games, proceeds from Mega Millions will benefit education in the state of Georgia.

Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corporation has returned more than $11 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs including Georgia's HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia's Pre-K Program. More than 1.1 million students have received HOPE, and more than 940,000 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program.

For more information, please visit the Media Center on the Georgia Lottery Web site at:
www.galottery.com

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Tandi Reddick
Media Relations Manager

P 404.215.5062
F 404.215.8983
media [at] galottery [dot] org

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