The Mega Millions jackpot has risen to $1.220 billion as ticket purchases increase ahead of Friday's drawing. The jackpot has been steadily increasing since the $1.000 billion drawing on Christmas Eve, which saw no winning tickets.
On Christmas Day, lottery officials announced that the projected jackpot had reached a staggering $1.150 billion, offering a cash option of $516,1 million, but that figure has now risen.
The next drawing for the $1.220 billion jackpot will take place on Friday at 11 p.m. ET.
According to the spokesperson, the cash prize available to winners who opt for a lump sum payment has reached $549,7 million, reflecting an increase of $33,6 million from just a few days earlier.
If a jackpot ticket is drawn, winners have the option of receiving a cash payment or opting for an annuity totaling $1.220 billion, to be disbursed over three decades.
Only three Mega Millions jackpots have been won this year, which is the lowest total since the game's inception. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302.575.350.
