The Mega Millions jackpot had been climbing since 27th January, when Jack Freney from California grabbed $191 million, and participants from across America rushed out to enter Friday’s draw. The numbers drawn were 17, 24, 27, 32 and 58, as well as Mega Ball 10, and a single player matched the full winning line.
It is the first time in Mega Millions history that a player from Arkansas has landed the jackpot, with the winner having bought their ticket at the Valero gas station in Stuttgart. They will have to decide between a one-off cash sum of around $107 million or the full jackpot amount in instalments over 29 years.
The winner of Saturday’s Powerball, meanwhile, can choose between a $60 million jackpot or a cash option of around $36.5 million after matching the numbers 9, 32, 36, 44 and 65, plus the Powerball of 1. The all-important ticket was sold in Littlefield, Arizona at the Scenic General Stores on Scenic Boulevard.
It is the first time that an Arizona player has won Powerball’s top prize since 2012, but it is the second jackpot win the game has witnessed in just a few weeks. A participant from Wisconsin won a fabulous $155.2 million on Wednesday 22nd March.
Both the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots will now reset for this week’s draws, providing players with more chances to win great prizes by either choosing their numbers online or visiting authorised retailers.