Mega Millions, Powerball Jackpots Reach More than $300 Million Each

This is the first time these lottery games have simultaneously topped $300 million apiece.

August 11, 2017

Tallahassee, Fla. – Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots have been steadily climbing and now are worth more than $300 million each—the first time both jackpots have topped $300 million, Lottery Post reports. The combined total of both multistate jackpots is $749 million.

As of midday on Thursday, Mega Millions predicted its Friday jackpot would be $393 million, the 17th-biggest ever. Powerball skyrocketed to $356 million. Currently, both games are on the top 25 all-time biggest U.S. lottery jackpot list. The last time these lottery games synchronized their jackpot rollovers happened in May 2013, when Mega Million’s jackpot reached $190 million and Powerball’s grand prize topped $590 million.

The news of high jackpots for two multistate games has people flooding convenience stores to buy tickets. “You see more people in line buying both tickets when both games are over $300 million,” said Jeff Lenard, NACS spokesman, in CNN Money. Retailers sell around two-thirds of U.S. lottery tickets.

The more than $300 million jackpots might revitalize lottery ticket sales, which have declined in 22 states. The next Mega Millions drawing will be tonight at 11 pm EST, while Powerball will hold its next drawing Saturday at 10:59 pm EST.

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