Mega Millions tops $300M, Powerball mints 5 millionaires
A New Jersey ticket won $2 million in Powerball, a Pennsylvania one hit for $1 million.
Mega Millions update (3/12): Jackpot rises to $353 million
The Mega Millions jackpot is up to $309 million, the ninth biggest annuity ever for the game history and one of the two dozen biggest jackpots in U.S. lottery history.
The biggest winners Friday night were three tickets, sold in New York, Massachusetts and Texas, that matched the first five numbers -- 11, 13, 51, 57 and 69 -- but not the Mega Ball, which was 1.
The cash prize for Tuesday's drawing will be worth about $169 million. Before taxes, of course.
The jackpot has been jumping upward -- from $240 million to $270 million to the current $309 million in one week -- but that's not close to the explosions seen around these levels even as recently as three years ago. In December, Mega Millions skyrocketed only after it crossed the $400 million mark, winding up with the second biggest annuity ever, $648 million.
See "Mega Millions: Signs of jackpot fatigue?"
Pennsylvania and New Jersey had better luck in Powerball. Nobody matched all the numbers drawn Saturday night: 10, 14, 24, 32 and 41, with a Powerball of 30.
Winning $2 million were two tickets, sold in New Jersey and Indiana, which had the first five numbers, but not the Powerball, while having the Power Play prize-boosting option.
Winning $1 million each were tickets sold in Pennsylvania, New York and Florida.
Update: New Jersey's $2 million winner was sold at a Shoprite on Beaver Brook Road in Lincoln Park, Morris County. Pennsylvania's $1 million winner was sold at Mount Airy Casino Resort, Woodland Road, Mount Pocono, Monroe County.
The jackpots for Wednesday's drawing are worth an estimated $60 million for the annuity, $33.8 million for the cash.
For more on lotteries, go to Philly.com's lottery page, or the websites for Powerball or Mega Millions.
Contact staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com.