The lottery grand prize has been accumulated since April 18th. The US$1.25 billion jackpot for Friday's drawing is one of the largest in US history.
The lottery drought is due to a combination of bad luck and terrible odds, as the chance of winning the Mega Millions jackpot is 1 in 302.6 million. The odds of winning smaller prizes, ranging from US$2 to US$1 million, are significantly better.
The new US$1.25 billion jackpot is for a single winner who chooses to collect it through annual payouts over 30 years. A single winner who opts for a fixed payout will receive an estimated US$625.3 million.
Winners would also be subject to federal taxes, and many states also tax lottery winnings.
Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and in the US Virgin Islands. Brazilians who want to participate in the draw can play online through the Mega Millions website.
Source: Gazeta News
