Mega Millions jackpot surpasses $500 million as excitement builds

Mega Millions jackpot surpasses $500 million as excitement builds
Woman counting US dollars. Pile of cash money background. Female person counts hundreds usd winning the lottery, proceeds from bargain. New banknotes in hands.

TRENTON, NJ — The Mega Millions jackpot has soared to an estimated $514 million after no tickets matched all six numbers in Tuesday’s drawing.

The multi-state lottery, which spans 47 U.S. jurisdictions, now boasts its largest prize since September, when a Texas player won an $800 million jackpot. The next drawing is scheduled for Friday at 11 p.m.

In New Jersey, a ticket sold at a 7-Eleven in Lyndhurst, Bergen County, matched four numbers and the Mega Ball, earning its owner $10,000 in Tuesday’s drawing.

This year has seen several high-profile Mega Millions wins, including a $1.13 billion jackpot claimed in March by a New Jersey player and a $560 million prize won in Illinois in June.

Tickets for Friday’s drawing cost $2, with an optional $1 Megaplier that can boost non-jackpot winnings by up to five times. Sales for Friday’s drawing will close at 10:45 p.m.