$540 Million Mega Millions Jackpot Drives Robust Ticket Sales

MIDDLETOWN, Pa., July 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Lottery retailers are seeing robust ticket sales for tonight's big Mega Millions® jackpot, which has an estimated $540 million annuity value or $380 million cash.

At midday Friday, Mega Millions tickets were selling at a brisk clip of nearly 5,000 per-minute across Pennsylvania.

"We remind players to always play responsibly, no matter the jackpot level," said Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko. "If you're planning to play, remember that Mega Millions ticket sales in Pennsylvania end at 9:59 p.m. on drawing nights."

After there was no jackpot winner in the Tuesday, July 5, Mega Millions drawing, the jackpot rolled to a $508 million annuity value or $357.7 million cash. Strong sales boosted the jackpot at midday Thursday to the current advertised levels.

The jackpot has rolled 34 times to get to this level, the game's third-largest jackpot offering. The largest on record was a $656 million prize won on March 30, 2012, by three winning tickets sold in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland.

The Pennsylvania Lottery has sold two jackpot-winning Mega Millions tickets since joining the game in 2010. A jackpot-winning ticket with a $149 million annuity value was sold in White Oak, Allegheny County, for the May 20, 2014, drawing. It was claimed by a Pittsburgh-area couple who took the $86.8 million cash prize. The second had an annuity value of $153 million and was sold in Milton, Northumberland County, for the July 21, 2015, drawing. A Virginia man claimed the cash prize of $91.7 million.

For the convenience of players who like to pool ticket purchases with friends, family members or coworkers, the Pennsylvania Lottery offers downloadable Pool Play forms at palottery.com.

How to Play Mega Millions: Mega Millions tickets cost $1 per play. Players pick five numbers from 1 to 75 and one number from 1 to 15 (the Mega Ball). Players may select their own numbers using a Mega Millions play slip, or they may opt for computer-selected quick picks. For an extra $1 per play, players can add the Megaplier®. Prior to the Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier number – ranging from two to five – is randomly selected. The Megaplier applies to non-jackpot prizes. Mega Millions tickets are sold in 44 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets are sold until 9:59 p.m. on drawing nights, Tuesdays and Fridays.

About Us: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery to direct all proceeds to programs that benefit older residents. Since ticket sales began in 1972, it has contributed more than $25.8 billion to fund property tax and rent rebates, transportation, care services, prescription assistance, and local services including senior centers and meals. 

Players must be 18 or older. Please play responsibly. Call 1-800-848-1880 or 1-800-GAMBLER for help with a compulsive gambling problem.

Visit palottery.com for winning numbers, rules, chances of winning, and to join the VIP Players Club for second chances to win. Install our official mobile app, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

MEDIA CONTACT: Lottery Media Relations, 717-702-8008

SOURCE Pennsylvania Lottery