Mega Millions Jackpot Hits $540 Million For Friday Drawing
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The Mega Millions jackpot has increased to $540 million, as brisk ticket sales fuel the estimated jackpot for Friday's drawing.
Friday's drawing will be the 35th since Mega Millions had a winner -- the longest rollover stretch in the game's history.
Since the last winner in March, Mega Million tickets sales have exceeded $1 billion, said Paula Otto, executive director of the Virginia Lottery and lead director for Mega Million.
Sales prior to the last drawing on Tuesday night also were higher than expected, at around $107 million. Sales were anticipated to hit $80 million.
Tickets are sold in 45 jurisdictions including 43 states plus the District of Columbia and the U. S. Virgin Islands.
The odds of picking the correct numbers on five white balls and one yellow ball in the Mega Millions game are one in 259 million.
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