Mega Millions: Ticket Holder in Maine Wins $1.35bn Jackpot

THE GUARDIAN: Prize was second largest in Mega Millions history and the fourth time the game has had a billion-dollar win

An advertisement for the Mega Millions jackpot is seen in Great Neck, New York. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
Friday the 13th proved lucky for one – someone who won the estimated $1.35bn lottery jackpot after a period of three months and 25 drawings that had seen no one across the US win the grand prize.

The winner, whose name is not yet known, overcame steep odds of 1 in 302.6 million and had bought their ticket in Maine, the first time the state has scored the Mega Millions lottery jackpot.

“Congratulations to the Maine state lottery, which has just won its first-ever Mega Millions jackpot,” Pat McDonald, Ohio lottery director and lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, said in a statement early Saturday.

Mega Millions is played in 45 states as well as Washington, DC, and the US Virgin Islands. » | Guardian staff and agencies | Saturday, January 14, 2023

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Advisory: Be Alert for Mega Millions® Scams »

Powerball: Lotto Rises to $1.9bn World Record Prize with No Jackpot Winner

The Powerball has had no winner after 40 consecutive drawings. | EPA/EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
BBC: The US Powerball jackpot has climbed to a record $1.9bn (£1.7bn) ahead of Monday's draw after there was no winning ticket for Saturday's prize.

The premier lottery game has had no winner in more than three months after 40 consecutive drawings.

The odds of winning the jackpot in Monday's draw are one in 292.2 million, according to Powerball.

The previous world-record jackpot was set in 2016, when $1.59bn was split between three Powerball players. » | Bernd Debusmann Jr, BBC News | Monday, November 7, 2022

Lottery officials announce winning numbers for record $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot after Monday’s drawing was delayed »