Someone’s Christmas wish might have been granted as the Mega Millions jackpot reached an estimated $1 billion for the Christmas Eve drawing.
The last Mega Millions jackpot claimed was back on Sept. 10, when $810 million was won in Texas. Since then, the jackpot has been climbing ever higher and has become one of the largest of all time.
Heading into Christmas Eve, the jackpot was worth $1 billion or an estimated $448.8 million lump-sum payment after taxes, according to the lottery. If won, it would have been the seventh-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history.
A winner on Dec. 24 is rare as Mega Millions said that there’s only been one lucky jackpot winner on Christmas Eve so far. The billion-dollar question is, did anyone win the Mega Millions on Christmas Eve? Here is what we know about Tuesday’s winning numbers.
More: What’s open and closed on Christmas Day 2024? Details on stores, restaurants, retail, more
“Mega Millions” lottery tickets are pictured on a counter as the prize passed $1.1 billion ahead of the January 10 multi-state lottery drawing at a ticket sales shop in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., January 10, 2023.
Did anyone win the Mega Millions?
No one won the Jackpot on Christmas Eve.
But four people got an early Christmas gift, winning $1 million in the Match 5 lottery.
Those winners hail from:
The next Mega Millions drawing on Dec. 27 will be worth an estimated $1.15 billion.
To view the list of past winners, visit the Mega Millions website.
Mega Millions winning numbers for 12/24/24
The winning numbers from the Tuesday, Dec. 24 Mega Millions drawing were: 11, 14, 38, 45, 46 Megaball: 3
Megaplier: 3X
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
How to play the Mega Millions
In order to buy a ticket, you’ll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store − and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online.
To play, you will need to pick six numbers. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball is one number between 1 and 25.
If you believe the odds are against you, ask for a “Quick Pick” or an “Easy Pick,” the computer will randomly generate the numbers for you.
Players can add the “Megaplier” for $1, which can increase non-grand prize winnings by two, three, four or five times. The Megaplier is drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesday and Friday.
There are 15 Megapiler balls in all:
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Did anyone win the Mega Millions drawing last night? $1B jackpot for grabs
