The Mega Millions lottery jackpot has reached $1.1 billion dollars ahead of Tuesday’s drawing — making it potentially the third largest Mega Millions prize and the fifth largest lottery prize in U.S lottery history.
The historic jackpot is the third prize to break a billion in under a year, with a $1.337 billion Mega Millions jackpot going to a Illinois resident on July 29 and a $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot — the largest jackpot ever won — going to a California ticketholder on Nov. 7.
“When playing Mega Millions and other lottery games, we encourage people to keep the experience enjoyable by playing responsibly and within their means,” said Mark William Bracken, Interim Executive Director of the Massachusetts State Lottery.
The Massachusetts State Lottery directs anyone concerned about problem gambling to the Massachusetts helpline, (800) 327-5050.
The jackpot has been building since Oct. 14, when the $502 million prize was split between ticketholders in California and Florida.
The next drawing will take place on Tuesday night. If no winner is found, another will take place on Friday.