The Mega Millions jackpot jumped to $1 billion on Oct. 19, and the next drawing is tonight at 11 p.m. ET.
It’s the largest-ever Mega Millions prize. It has a cash option of $565 million.
The Mega Millions game is available in 44 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets can be bought for $2.
It is the second-largest jackpot for any lottery game played in the United States, behind the Jan. 13, 2016, Powerball that had a $1,586,400,000 jackpot. It was split three ways.
The Mega Millions prize has grown because no one has hit the jackpot since July 24.
There is a one in 292.2 million chance of winning the Powerball lottery and a one in 302.5 million chance of winning the Mega Millions.
The Powerball jackpot, meanwhile, grew to $470 million, and the next drawing is Saturday, Oct. 20.
Most people, according to experts, don’t expect to win and instead are trying to be a part of a community. Jane L. Risen, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago, told USA Today: “It creates this sense of community. It creates this sense of camaraderie. I also think that it creates a potential sense of regret to not be the one playing.”
Winners can remain anonymous in six states—Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Carolina. In Arizona, people who win more than $600 can keep their names secret for 90 days after claiming prizes, but after that names are public record. In Michigan, winners are anonymous unless they win Mega Millions or Powerball prizes.
