There were no tickets sold with all six numbers in the latest multi-state Mega Millions draw, and the estimated jackpot for Friday's drawing will grow to $26 million, lottery officials announced tonight. Two tickets -- one each sold in California and Georgia -- had five numbers, but didn't have the Mega number. The one sold in Georgia is worth $250,000, while the value of the ticket sold in California is expected to be announced Wednesday.State law restricts payoffs in California Lottery games to pari-mutuel prizes.
The numbers drawn tonight were 2, 27, 31, 39, 40 and the Mega number was 23. The jackpot was $16 million. The drawing was the second since the last time a ticket with all six numbers was sold. A ticket sold in New Jersey for last Tuesday's draw had all six numbers and was worth $212 million. The odds of matching all five numbers and the Mega number is 1 in 175,711,536, according to the Mega Millions Web site. Besides California, the Mega Millions game is played in Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
California Lottery officials reminded the public that borrowing money to play the lottery, spending above a person's budget or using money intended for other purposes can ultimately lead to significant problems for players and their families. People with gambling problems or knowing individuals with gambling problems are advised to call the Problem Gambling Help Line, (800) Gambler.
