Michigan Lottery players have two chances to win big this weekend with big Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots up for grabs. Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is $221 million and Saturday’s Powerball jackpot is $162 million.
The $221 million jackpot is the Mega Millions third-largest in the past 12 months. In March 2014, two lucky players from Florida and Maryland split a $414 million jackpot. The cash option for tonight’s jackpot is about $144 million.
If a Michigan Lottery player wins tonight’s $221 million jackpot, it would be the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won in the state. On April 22, 2005, a Port Huron couple, Ralph and Mary Stebbins, won $208 million.
Michigan Lottery players hope the Mega Millions game will continue to be lucky for them in 2015. On Friday, June 13, 2014, Kelsey Zachow, of Port Huron, won a $66 million jackpot. Four other Michigan Lottery players each won $1 million playing Mega Millions in 2014. That includes a player who won $1 million in the Aug. 5 drawing and has yet to claim the big prize. That winning ticket was sold at the CVS Pharmacy, located at 727 28th Street Southeast in Grand Rapids.
Saturday’s $162 million jackpot is the fifth largest Powerball jackpot in the past 12 months. In February 2014, a California man won $425.3 million. The cash option for Saturday’s jackpot is about $105 million.
Powerball also was a lucrative game for Michigan Lottery players in 2014. Four players won the game’s $1 million prize, including three winners in a four-day span in February.
If a Michigan player win’s Saturday’s $162 million Powerball jackpot, it would be the game’s second-largest won in the state. On Aug. 15, 2012, Donald Lawson, of Lapeer, won $337 million. Lawson’s jackpot holds the record for the largest Lottery prize ever won in Michigan.
The $1 million winner from the Aug. 5 Mega Millions drawing should contact the Michigan Lottery Public Relations Division at (517) 373-1237 to schedule an appointment to collect their big prize. The prize must be claimed at the Lottery’s headquarters in Lansing. Tickets for Mega Millions and Powerball are valid for one year from the drawing date.
Players still have plenty of time to purchase tickets for both drawings. Lottery retailers throughout the state are selling Mega Millions tickets until 10:45 p.m. Powerball tickets may be purchased until 9:45 p.m. on Saturday.
Each Mega Millions play is only $1. For an additional $1 per play, players have the opportunity to add a “Megaplier” that can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to five times. Powerball plays may be purchased for $2 each. A “Power Play” option that can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to five times may be added to any Powerball play for only $1.