Mega Millions Christmas Eve Jackpot Approaching $1 Billion

Tuesday night's Mega Millions estimated jackpot sits at $944 million, which makes it the largest U.S. lottery jackpot offered in the month of December.

If you win, you can always opt for the $429 million one-time cash payout. You'd still be able to deliver some serious stocking stuffers this Christmas.

A basic Mega Millions ticket costs $2, and to claim the big prize you'll need to match five numbers (1-70), plus the Mega Ball (1-25). The odds? 1 in 302,575,350.

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The 10 Biggest Lottery Jackpot Wins in U.S. History

1. $2.04 Billion (Powerball) November 2022 - One winner.
2. $1.765 Billion (Powerball) October 2023 - One winner.
3. $1.586 Billion (Powerball) January 2016 - Split between three winners.
4. $1.58 Billion (Mega Millions) August 2023 - One winner.
5. $1.537 Billion (Mega Millions) October 2018 - One winner.
6. $1.35 Billion (Mega Millions) January 2023 - One winner.
7. $1.34 Billion (Mega Millions) July 2022 - One winner.
8. $1.33 Billion (Powerball) April 2024 - One winner.
9. $1.13 Billion (Mega Millions) March 2024 - One winner.
10. $1.08 Billion (Powerball) July 2023 - One winner.

According to the Mega Millions website, Minnesota has never has a Mega Millions jackpot winner, but has had four grand prize Powerball jackpot winners. In November of 2016 Michael Hawes was a winner, splitting $44.3 million. Paul Rosenau won in May of 2008, splitting an $88 million prize. In August of 2011 Thomas Morris came up big, splitting a $123.6 million jackpot. And in August of 2013 Paul White split a big $253.1 million prize.

The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday's drawing is an estimated $102 million, with a one-time cash payout of $60 million. It's no Mega Millions jackpot, but I suppose I could make it work.