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 $171 million, lottery officials announced tonight.
Thirteen tickets -- three sold in California, two each in Massachusetts, Michigan and New Jersey and one each in Georgia, Illinois, New York and Texas -- had five numbers, but didn't have the Mega number. All but the three sold in California are each worth $250,000.
The value of the three 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 1, 27, 28, 35, 40 and the Mega number was 6. The jackpot was $145 million. The drawing was the 12th since the last time a ticket with all six numbers was sold. A ticket sold in New York for the Jan. 13 draw had all six numbers and was worth $22 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.
