RICHMOND, Va. — UPDATE: Tuesdays winning Mega Millions numbers are… 29 64 46 53 73 10.
The jackpot for Tuesday’s Mega Millions drawing has jumped to $454 million. The Virginia Lottery credited the jackpot increase to “heavy sales of Mega Millions tickets in Virginia and nationwide.”
A winner can take the payout over a span of 29 years unless they decide to take a smaller, lump sum payment.
Powerball — the only other major multi-state lottery — has had the biggest jackpots as of late, including a record shattering $1.59 billion pot in January and a $430 million pool won in May.
Mega Millions’ biggest prizes to date were a $656 million prize awarded in March 2012, and $648 million awarded in December 2013.
While the odds against winning either game are astronomical, Mega Millions is a slightly better bet.
Mega Millions players have a 1 in 259 million chance of matching all five white ball numbers and the “Megaplier” yellow ball number needed to claim the top prize. In Powerball, which has nearly identical rules, there’s a 1 in 292 million chance.
Mega Millions is also cheaper to play. The tickets start at $1 each, while Powerball tickets are $2.
Mega Millions is played in 44 U.S. states, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
