WASHINGTON, D.C.— The last Mega Millions drawing of 2022 will be held on Friday, December 30 with an estimated prize of $685 MILLION (estimated cash value for the current jackpot is $347.8 million). The Mega Millions jackpot has risen above $600 million just five other times in its more than 20-year history. The$685 million jackpot is the fourth highest Mega Millions jackpot ever.

Luck of the draw has made 2022 a year of big jackpots. There was a staggering $1.337 billion won in Illinois on July 29, a $502 million prize on October 14 shared by winning tickets in California and Florida, and even a $20 million win in Tennessee on April 15.

The largest Mega Millions jackpot was $1.537 billion on October 23, 2018, which stands as the third-largest jackpot in U.S. lottery history.

The Mega Millions jackpot was last hit on October 14, for $502 million. Since then, there have been 21 game draws without a jackpot winner. In 2018, a pool of office workers in D.C. claimed a $1 million Mega Millions prize.

Mega Millions tickets are $2 per play. For $1 more, players can add Megaplier for an opportunity to increase their winnings. Mega Millions tickets can be purchased at all DC Lottery retail locations and online. Drawings occur every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 p.m. ET.

Proceeds from the sale of DC Lottery games are transferred to the District of Columbia’s General Fund in support of essential city services. Since its inception in 1982, the DC Lottery has transferred more than $2.3 billion to the city.

DC Lottery reminds players to please play responsibly and always sign the back of their tickets. Game tickets are bearer instruments. The signer is the presumed owner and designated winner.]

 

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The DC Lottery generates revenue for the District of Columbia through the sale of innovative lottery and sports wagering products while providing gaming regulation and oversight. Since its inception in 1982, the DC Lottery has awarded more than $4.4 billion in prizes, transferred more than $2.3 billion to the District’s General Fund which supports essential services in the District of Columba, commissioned more than $473 million to Lottery retailers, and has helped local nonprofits raise more than $135 million in support of charitable causes.

Release ID: 22-007