Mega Millions prize of $654 million is nation's 4th-largest
October 16, 2018 at 9:00 a.m.
| Updated October 16, 2018 at 2:30 a.m.
by
Associated Press
This July 1, 2016, file photo shows Mega Millions lottery tickets on a counter at a Pilot travel center near Burlington, N.C. After nearly three months without a winner, the Mega Millions lottery game has climbed to an estimated $654 million jackpot. Unfortunately, even as the big prize for its drawing Tuesday night, Oct. 16, 2018, increases to the fourth-largest in U.S. history , the odds of matching all six numbers and winning the game don't improve. They're stuck at a miserable one in 302.5 million. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The fourth-largest lottery prize in U.S. history will be on the line as numbers are drawn for the Mega Millions game's $654 million jackpot.
The grand prize for Tuesday night's drawing has grown so enormous because no one has won the jackpot since July 24.
Although the jackpot is massive, the odds of matching all six numbers and becoming instantly wealthy are remarkably small at one in 302.5 million.
The estimated $654 million jackpot refers to the annuity option, paid out over 29 years. The cash option, which is favored by nearly all winners, is $372 million.
Mega Millions is played in 44 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
