DES MOINES, Iowa – Lottery officials have raised the Mega Millions grand prize to $660 million, giving players a shot at what would be the nation’s ninth largest jackpot.
The winning numbers from Friday evening’s announcement were as follows: 60, 66, 14, 40, 64, 16
The jackpot for Friday night's drawing has grown so large because there hasn't been a winner in three months. Those 27 consecutive drawings without anyone matching all six numbers has allowed the jackpot to gradually grow from its $20 million starting point in April.
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Customers who stopped by the Right Way Foods convenience store on Orange Blossom Trail on Friday hoped they picked the winning combination of numbers.
Tasheba Thompson said she’s playing Mega Millions for the first time. She pulled together pocket change to purchase her ticket.
“You know what, this is the day. I had to scrape it up and I got it,” Thompson said.
Even as the big prize has increased, the odds of winning all that money have remained the same — a staggering one in 302.5 million.
Eddie Allen said winning the jackpot would be life-changing.
“If I win, first thing I’m going to try to do is not have a heart attack,” Allen said.
Allen is a small business owner working in construction. He said winning the big prize would be huge, especially as he’s struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic and dealing with the highest inflation rate in four decades.
“That would be great. I could buy some concrete on time—block concrete, wood,” he said.
Right Way Foods manager Ken Patel added the Mega Millions jackpot is bringing a boost to their store, which has sold multiple winning lottery tickets. He said times have been hard and having people stop by for the chance to win is helping their business.
“It’s been tough so with the lotto it helps out,” Patel said. “Brings the foot traffic in and we can sell other products that we have.”
Everyone is hoping they’re taking home the winning ticket and they’re dreaming about what they would do with the cash.
“I would get a house for me and my kids and my family,” Thompson said.
The highlighted pre-tax $660 million prize is for a winner who takes an annuity option, paid out in 30 annual payments. Most players choose the cash option, which for Friday's drawing would be $376.9 million.
Mega Millions is played in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The game is overseen by state lottery officials.
Whether there was a winning ticket this go-around has yet to be revealed.