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ATLANTA – Mega Millions continues its record climb. As a result of strong sales, Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot has been bumped from $900 million to $970 million – the largest in the game’s history and second largest in U.S. history. The Mega Millions cash option is $548 million.

At the same time, Saturday’s Powerball jackpot has grown to $430 million, combining with Mega Millions for more than $1.4 billion in jackpot prizes. The Powerball cash option is $248 million.

Georgia Lottery players continue to win big. In Tuesday’s Mega Millions drawing, one ticket in Macon won $1 million, one ticket in Clayton won $50,000, and three tickets won $10,000 each in Alpharetta, Fort Valley and Rossville. In Wednesday’s Powerball drawing, two tickets won $50,000 each in Cumming and McDonough.

“Our players across the state are winning and having fun,” Georgia Lottery President and CEO Gretchen Corbin said. “Most importantly, Georgia’s students are winning with each ticket purchased. Mega Millions and Powerball are both great contributors to lottery-funded HOPE scholarships and grants, including the Zell Miller Scholarship, as well as lottery-funded Pre-K.”

Mega Millions and Powerball tickets are $2 each. For an additional $1 per play, Mega Millions players can multiply prizes with the Megaplier option, and Powerball players can multiply prizes with the Power Play option. Mega Millions also offers an optional $3 wager Just the Jackpot that allows players to receive two entries for a chance to win the game’s jackpot prize only.

Mega Millions and Powerball tickets can be purchased at Georgia Lottery retailers statewide. Georgia residents also can purchase tickets via the Georgia Lottery app or online at www.galottery.com.

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

Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corp. has returned more than $19.8 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 1.8 million students have received HOPE, and more than 1.6 million 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program.

MEGA MILLIONS FAST FACTS

Draw Date: Friday, Oct. 19, 2018

Estimated Jackpot Amount: $970 million

Annuity Amount: Jackpot prize paid out as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual graduated payments

Cash Option Amount: Approximately $548 million

Cost to Play: $2 per play; additional $1 per play for Megaplier; $3 for Just the Jackpot

Drawings: 11 p.m. (ET) every Tuesday and Friday

Overall Odds of Winning Any Prize: Approximately 1:24

Odds of Winning Jackpot Prize: Approximately 1:302 million

Date Jackpot Began Rolling: July 27, 2018

Number of Rolls: 24

Last Winning Jackpot Ticket: July 24, 2018 – $543 million (California)

#1 Mega Millions Jackpot: March 30, 2012 – $656 million (Illinois, Kansas and Maryland)

POWERBALL FAST FACTS

Draw Date: Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018

Estimated Jackpot Amount: $430 million
Annuity Amount: Jackpot prize paid over 29 years in 30 graduated payments
Cash Option Amount: Approximately $248 million
Cost to Play: $2 per play; an additional $1 per play to add the Power Play multiplier
Drawings: 11 p.m. (ET) every Wednesday and Saturday
Overall Odds of Winning Any Prize: Approximately 1:24.87
Odds of Winning Jackpot Prize: Approximately 1:292 million
Date Jackpot Began Rolling: Aug. 15, 2018
Number of Rolls: 19
Last Winning Jackpot Ticket: Aug. 11, 2018 – $247 million jackpot (New York)
#1 Powerball Jackpot: Jan. 13, 2016 – $1.586 billion jackpot (California, Florida and Tennessee)

For more information on the Georgia Lottery Corp., Mega Millions and Powerball, please visit:

www.galottery.com, www.megamillions.com and www.powerball.com

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