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Mega Millions Jackpot Raised to $280 Million

UNITED STATES – (PRESS RELEASE) -- What would you do if you won $280 million? That's the question Lottery players are asking themselves with the world's largest jackpot still up for grabs. Since no winning ticket correctly matched all six winning numbers -- 10, 13, 19, 28, 38 and Gold Mega Ball number 1 -- in last night's Mega Millions drawing, pushing the jackpot to an estimated $280 million for Friday's drawing -- a new Mega Millions jackpot record!

"We are very excited to make Mega Millions history with this $280 million jackpot," said Lottery Commissioner Gary Peters. "Several Michigan Lottery players have each matched the first five numbers drawn to win a $175,000 prize and I hope the luck continues for players this Friday!"

If one winning ticket matches all six numbers in Friday night's drawing and the player selects annuity payments over 26 years, the $280 million jackpot would amount to pre-tax payments of roughly:

* $10.76 million per year;

* $205,769 per week; or

* $29,479 per day!

For those who prefer to take their cash winnings up-front, it's a pretty nice payday as well. If one lucky cash-option player matches all six winning numbers, he or she will take home a check for approximately $156 million (before taxes), the estimated present cash value of Friday's jackpot!

While no one matched all six winning numbers to win the jackpot, three lucky tickets correctly matched the first five numbers drawn to each win a $175,000 prize. Those winning tickets were sold at: New Baltimore Town & Country, 36011 Green St., in New Baltimore (Macomb County); Smoker One, 37557 Harper Ave., in Clinton Township (Macomb County) and Countryway, 7999 Mason Road, in Fowlerville (Livingston County).

"As the jackpot grows, so does the sale of Mega Millions tickets at Lottery retailers across the Great Lakes state," said Peters. "Increased sales help generate more money for public schoolchildren in Michigan. For every dollar spent on a Lottery ticket, 34 cents goes directly into the state School Aid Fund, which supports K-12 public education in Michigan."

Mega Millions tickets are available in Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Wagers cost $1 each and tickets can be purchased at more than 7,000 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

Friday's drawing will be conducted at 11 p.m. and broadcast on cable superstation WGN out of Chicago as well as a network of Michigan stations (check local listings). For more information, you can also visit the Mega Millions Web site at: http://www.megamillions.com .

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