The Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to more to $900 million while the Powerball jackpot soared to $430 million after no tickets hit on Wednesday, meaning a combined $1.3 billion awaits lottery players this weekend, USA Today reported.
Excitement had already mounted earlier this week as many speculated whether the Mega Millions jackpot would hit a new record high.
That’s exactly what happened when the Mega Millions jackpot surpassed its previous 2012 record of $656 million after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn on Tuesday, leaving the prize money up for the taking this Friday, lottery officials said.
One Mega Millions ticket holder in the Bay Area came close to clinching the jackpot, having matched five of the six numbers for a $1.9 million win, the California Lottery tweeted.
The Mega Millions jackpot has been accumulating since July 24, when it was won by a California office pool of 11 co-workers who shared the $543 million, making it the largest prize ever won on a single ticket in the game.
The Powerball jackpot meanwhile, has not been claimed since Aug. 11 and Wednesday's draw failed to produce a lucky winner, Boston 25 News reported.
The largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history of $1.6 billion was won in 2016, when three Powerball tickets from California, Florida and Tennessee, matched all numbers, USA Today noted.
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