There were no tickets sold with all six numbers in the latest 12-state Mega Millions draw, and the estimated jackpot for Friday's drawing will grow to $36 million, lottery officials announced tonight. One ticket sold in California had five numbers, but didn't have the Mega number. Its value is expected to be announced Wednesday. State law requires major payoffs of lottery games to be paid on a pari-mutuel basis.
The numbers drawn tonight were 5, 17, 31, 36, 56 and the Mega number was 46. The estimated jackpot was $25 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. The drawing was the third since the last time a ticket with all six numbers was sold. A ticket sold in New York for the May 29 draw had all six numbers and was worth $35 million.
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.
