At $500 Million, Mega Millions is the Largest Jackpot in U.S. History

The Mega Millions jackpot has reached a record of more than $500 million after no one matched the winning numbers in Tuesday night's drawing.

The March 27 jackpot was $363 million, but no players matched all five numbers plus the Mega Ball to take home the prize. A total of 47 players matched five winning numbers to net a $250,000 payout. None of the winning quarter-million dollar tickets were sold in Georgia. Nationally, 245 players won $10,000 by matching four white balls and the Mega Ball. According to the Georgia Lottery Web site, eight of the $10,000 winning tickets were sold in Georgia, one in Loganville.

The jackpot has now rolled 18 times since Jan. 24. Mega Millions offers two jackpot payment options - approximately $20 million a year for 26 years with the annuity option or a single payment worth approximately $350 million with the cash option.

The next drawing will be held Friday, March 30 at 11 p.m. Mega Millions tickets are $1 each. For an additional $1, players can choose the Megaplier option to multiply prizes. The overall odds of winning any prize are one in 40. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 175 million.

Do you plan to buy a ticket for Friday's drawing? Tell us in the comments.

Proceeds from Mega Millions and all Georgia Lottery games benefit education in the state of Georgia. Since its inception, the Georgia lottery has provided $13.1 billion to the state in education funding.

For more information, visit the Georgia Lottery or Mega Millions Web sites.