US Mega Millions jackpot reaches estimated $2.1b
The display in a store shows the Mega Millions lottery jackpot at $1.55 billion in the Queens borough of New York City, US, Aug 7, 2023.
PHOTO: Reuters
PUBLISHED ONAugust 09, 2023 1:35 AM
The Mega Millions lottery jackpot grew to an estimated US$1.55 billion (S$2.1 billion) on Tuesday (Aug 8) after none of the millions of Americans who played the multistate lottery last week held the winning ticket in Friday's drawing.
If a lucky ticket is found during Tuesday's drawing, the winner can choose between receiving the US$1.55 billion over 29 annual payments, or a cash lump sum of approximately US$752.2 million, according to the Mega Millions website.
The precise amounts will not be known until the drawing, Mega Millions said in a news release.
In Friday's drawing, nine players matched all five of the white balls needed to win the second-tier prise, worth at least US$1 million each.
Two players won US$2 million each for playing the Megaplier option, which increases a player's chance of winning all prises except for the jackpot.
The last Mega Millions jackpot was won by a player in New York in April, at US$20 million.
Mega Millions lottery drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday, at 11pm EDT (0300 GMT on Wednesday and Saturday).
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