Nearly $1.5 Billion in Jackpot Prizes Up for Grabs This Weekend!

NASHVILLE—Brisk sales pushed the jackpots for both Mega Millions and Powerball even higher this morning, now standing at a staggering $1 billion and $470 million respectively.

“What a great time for education in Tennessee!” said Rebecca Hargrove, President and CEO of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation. “Players are having fun, sales are growing, and it’s all for a great cause.”

The Tennessee Lottery has raised more than $4.7 billion for specific education programs in Tennessee, including college scholarships and after-school programs. More than 1.3 million scholarships, grants and awards have been funded, and more than 130,000 students received awards during the past academic year.

Additionally, players have won over $12.9 billion in prizes and Lottery retailers have earned more than $1.2 billion in retailer commissions since the Lottery began selling tickets on Jan. 20, 2004.

Mega Millions Quick Facts:

The $1 billion jackpot is the highest in Mega Millions game history and the second largest in U.S. lottery history.
Cash value is approximately $565.6 million.
The game has generated approximately $153.7 million for education since the game launched here on Jan. 31, 2010.
Fourteen Tennessee players have won $1 million or more playing the game, including a $61 million jackpot won by a mother and son from Bellevue.
All told, Mega Millions players in the state have won more than $138.2 million in prizes. 

Players have until approximately 9:45 p.m. CT/10:45 p.m. ET tonight (Friday) to purchase a ticket for the big drawing.

Overall odds to win any prize: 1 in 24. Odds of winning the jackpot: 1 in 303 million.
Tickets are $2. The Megaplier multiplier option is an additional $1.
Drawings are held at 10 p.m. CT/11 p.m. ET on Tuesdays and Fridays.
How to Play: Players select five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25, or choose Quick Pick and let the computer randomly pick any or all of their numbers.
There are nine prize tiers, ranging from $2 to the jackpot.
The second-largest Mega Millions jackpot was $656 million on March 30, 2012, with winning tickets purchased in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland.

Powerball Quick Facts:

The $470 million jackpot is the 8th largest in Powerball history.
Cash value is approximately $268.6 million.
Powerball sales have generated an estimated $776 million for education in Tennessee
Players have won more than $1.8 billion in Powerball prizes since April 2004.
There have been 72 Powerball winners in Tennessee of $1 million or more, including six jackpot winners.
Players have until 8:59 p.m. CT/9:59 ET on Saturday to purchase tickets.
Overall odds to win a prize are 1 in 24.9. Odds to win the jackpot are approximately 1 in 292 million.
Tickets are $2. The Power Play multiplier option is an additional $1.
Powerball drawings are held at 9:59 p.m. CT/10:59 p.m. ET on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
How to Play: Just select any five numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26, or choose Quick Pick and let the computer randomly pick any or all of your numbers.

About the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation

The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation operates entirely from the revenue it generates through the sale of its products. Since January 20, 2004, the Lottery has raised more than $4.7 billion to fund designated education programs, including after-school programs, college grants and scholarships and the Governor’s Drive to 55 initiatives.

In addition to the educational beneficiaries, players have won more than $12.9 billion in prizes and Lottery retailers have earned more than $1.2 billion in retailer commissions.

For additional information, visit tnlottery.com and follow