Today’s forecast: heavy daydreaming about yachts and tropical islands across Michigan, as the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots hit $464 million for this weekend’s drawings.
The $270 million Mega Millions jackpot is the game’s 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 $177 million.
If a Michigan Lottery player wins tonight’s $270 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.
Mega Millions has already proven lucky for Michigan Lottery players in 2015. The Lucky 13 lottery club of Ypsilanti won $1 million in Tuesday’s drawing by matching the five white balls drawn: 12-20-25-50-51. The 13-member club bought its lucky ticket at the Eagles Market, located at 501 West Cross Street in Ypsilanti.
In 2014, four Michigan Lottery players each won $1 million playing Mega Millions. 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 $194 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 $129 million.
Powerball 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 $194 million Powerball jackpot, it would be the game’s second-largest won in the state. On Aug. 15, 2012, Donald Lawson, of Lapeer, won a $337 million Powerball jackpot. 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.
