It’s Been 6 Years Since Marylanders Hit the Biggest Mega Millions Jackpot

Photo courtesy of Maryland Lottery

Updated: With an estimated annuity jackpot of $521 million, Friday’s Mega Millions drawing marks the fourth-largest jackpot in the game’s history.

Friday also marks the six-year anniversary of the three Marylanders, known as the “Three Amigos”, who claimed the jackpot prize of the highest recorded Mega Millions of $656 million in 2012.  Two other winning tickets were sold in Kansas and Illinois.

But can someone do it again?

The chances of winning the cash option of $317.2 million in Friday’s drawing are 1-in 302-million, according to Seth Elkin, spokesperson for Maryland Lottery and Gaming.

“Odds of winning are based on the game, the makeup of the game and really just your luck of the draw,” he said.

In the last drawing on Mar. 27, there were more than 1,500,000 winning tickets.

Tickets are $2 and the drawings are conducted at 11 p.m. EST on Tuesdays and Fridays. The game is played across 44 states, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“If there is no jackpot winner in tonight’s drawing, the estimated annuity value for the next drawing on April 3 will jump to $612 million,” Elkin said. “This will make it the third-largest in Mega Millions history and the fifth-largest in U.S. lottery history. The estimated cash value for Tuesday would be $369.6 million.”

This story has been updated to reflect the jackpot prize increase.

About Mitti Hicks

Mitti Hicks is a multimedia journalist and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She is passionate about telling stories that impact our community and may be reached at MHicks@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter @mittimegan.

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