Mega Millions jackpot rises to $500 million — largest ever

The largest lotto jackpot in history — a half-billion dollars — will be offered Friday in the Mega Millions lottery, played in Washington state and 43 other jurisdictions.

No player had all six numbers, 09-19-34-44-51 and Mega Ball 24, in Tuesday’s drawing, so the $356 million jackpot will roll over.

If business is brisk in the 42 states, District of Columbia and U.S. Virgin Islands in which Mega Millions is played, the current estimated $500 million jackpot could rise by Friday at 7:45 p.m., when the game closes.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

To win, a ticket must hit the five numbers plus the Mega Ball sixth number. Those odds are one in 176 million, say Washington State Lottery officials.The estimated lump-sum cash value of Friday’s jackpot is $359 million.

The latter option would allow the winner to walk away with $359 million before taxes instead of receiving about $19 million annually for 26 years.

More in News

Julianna Milles of Sequim, left, and Tama Juarez of Seattle-based Inchel Crystals discuss jewelry at the 2025 Rock, Gem and Jewelry Show on Saturday at the Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. The two-day event, hosted by the Clallam County Gem & Mineral Association, featured numerous vendors offering a selection of gems, rocks, fossils, crystals, beads and finished jewelry. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Gem show

Julianna Milles of Sequim, left, and Tama Juarez of Seattle-based Inchel Crystals… Continue reading

Master projects hearing set today

Permitting for Westbay site paused six months

Mark Gebbia, distribution coordinator with the Sequim Food Bank, organizes food for the next distribution day. Staff report that the food bank has budgeted about $600,000 for food this year, and it already has used reserves to match demand. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Crunch continues for Sequim Food Bank and its users

Open house, fundraiser set for Sept. 27

Weekly flight operations scheduled

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft… Continue reading

Naturebridge educators Ana Shinal, left, and Zach Drake demonstrate how water erosion affects the landscape in a test farm assembled by Wyatt Lutrz, 10, and Westley Lutz, 7, at a hands-on display set up by the Naturbridge educational organization at the fourth annual Forever StreamFest on Saturday at Pebble Beach Park in Port Angeles. The environmentally themed festival, hosted by the Port Angeles Garden Club, featured dozens of information booths, displays and youth activities, as well as food, music and a beer garden. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Forever Streamfest

Naturebridge educators Ana Shinal, left, and Zach Drake demonstrate how water erosion… Continue reading

Robbie Hart, third from left, trains the Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA) team students on how to perform the botanical research in the grid on the first day of the experiment. Elk Mountain is in the background. (Eric DeChaine/Western Washington University)
Research sites to monitor Olympic Mountain plants

Long-term data to track climate impact

Murder trial date moved

Delay awaiting results of lab analysis

A group of fifth-graders from The Evergreen School in Shoreline launches a boat they built as a part of a week-long Northwest Maritime program. (Elijah Sussman /Peninsula Daily News)
Students have maritime experience in Port Townsend

Get a hands-on taste of career possibilities

Michael Thill of Boquete, Panama, formerly of Sequim, practices his putts at the disc golf course on Thursday at Lincoln Park in Port Angeles. The park features a full 18-hole course for disc golf enthusiasts. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Putting practice

Michael Thill of Boquete, Panama, formerly of Sequim, practices his putts at… Continue reading

Dwane Sukert, 38, was killed in a trucking collision Sept. 3 near North Bend.
Procession to honor driver killed in crash

Peninsula trucking industry to celebrate life of Dwane Sukert

Hospital working to fix policies

Firm helps simplify OMC’s procedures