Mega Millions® and Powerball® Currently Highest Jackpots In The World
Players Who Buy 3 Mega Millions or Powerball Tickets in Retail Will Receive a Free 4th Ticket
CHICAGO—The two largest jackpots in the world right now are up for grabs in Illinois, as the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots are rolling! These dueling jackpots have not both been this high since June 2019 - and with over half a billion dollars in prizes up for grabs, you may want to consider adding a few tickets to your shopping list as you head into the home stretch of the holiday season.
At an estimated $310 million, the Mega Millions jackpot is the second-largest on offer this year and the largest since June.
The Powerball jackpot is an estimated $304 million, making it the second-largest Powerball jackpot on offer this year and the largest since last January - which really feels like a lifetime ago!
The Illinois Lottery is giving players more chances to win throughout December and January - any player who buys three Mega Millions or Powerball tickets in retail will receive a fourth ticket for free.
There are multiple ways to play, so whether you’re at home or on-the-go, it’s never been easier for Illinois residents 18 years of age and older to get in on the fun and power possibilities by purchasing an Illinois Lottery ticket. Tickets can be purchased in-store, online, and on the Illinois Lottery’s mobile app.
Mega Millions is played twice a week with a draw taking place tonight, Friday, December 18 - and every Friday and Tuesday night - at 10 p.m. (CT).
Powerball is also played twice a week on Wednesday and Saturday, with the next prize draw taking place on Saturday, December 19.
Be Smart, Play Smart® This Holiday Season
The Illinois Lottery reminds players to Be Smart, Play Smart® and to gift smart when purchasing instant tickets during the holiday season. Throughout the year, we encourage players to play for fun, not funds, and to set a budget and stick to it. For more information on how to gift and game responsibly, please go to illinoislottery.com and visit our Responsible Gaming page.
About the Illinois Lottery:
Founded in 1974, the Illinois Lottery has contributed over $21 billion (since 1985) to the state’s Common School Fund to assist K-12 public schools, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars to the Capital Projects Fund and to special causes like homelessness prevention, Illinois Veterans services, the fight against breast cancer, MS research, Special Olympics, police memorials and assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS. In addition to playing in-store, the Illinois Lottery offers online and mobile play for all draw-based Illinois Lottery games at illinoislottery.com. Players must be at least 18 years old.