Combined Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots climb to nearly $1 billion

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Feeling lucky? The Mega Millions jackpot is sitting at $510 million and Powerball is at $470 million. The multi-state lottery games have combined jackpots of nearly $1 billion -- the highest combined jackpots since October 2018. 

According to the Wisconsin Lottery, the Mega Millions jackpot is the eighth largest jackpot in the game's history. The estimated jackpot for the Friday, Jan. 8 drawing is $510 Million annuity ($377.4 Million cash).

The Powerball jackpot is the tenth largest jackpot in the game's history. The estimated jackpot for the Saturday, January 9 drawing is $470 Million annuity ($362.7 Million cash). This is the highest the Powerball jackpot has been since March 2019 when a $768.4 Million jackpot was won in Wisconsin.

“This is only the third time in the history of Powerball and Mega Millions we've had jackpots larger than $450 Million at the same time,” said Cindy Polzin, Wisconsin Lottery Director. “I am so excited for our players. Good luck to WINsconsin this weekend!”

The last jackpot-winning Mega Millions ticket was purchased by a lucky Wisconsin winner, Adrian Tongson of Racine. Tongson claimed his $120 Million ($95.4 Million cash) Mega Millions jackpot on Nov. 10. Kwik Trip #134 (4924 Spring St.) in Mount Pleasant sold the winning ticket for the September 15 drawing.

This was Wisconsin’s first Mega Millions jackpot win since Wisconsin debuted the game on January 31, 2010. Wisconsin has had other big Mega Millions winners, with 64 $1 Million winning tickets purchased in the state since 2010.

In 2020, there were seven Powerball jackpot-winning tickets, with the highest jackpot being won in Florida in January ($396.2 Million). In June 2020, two Wisconsin friends from the Menomonie area split the Powerball jackpot of $22 Million with a ticket purchased at Synergy Coop Exit 45 (2100 County Rd. B) in Menomonie. The record highest Powerball jackpot ever won was $1.586 billion, which was split between three winners in California, Florida, and Tennessee. Wisconsin has produced 18 Powerball jackpot winners since the game debuted in 1992.

If this jackpot is won, it will be the first winning Powerball jackpot in 2021. Since a September 2020 jackpot hit in New York, there were 32 drawings in a row without a jackpot winner; however, there were still winners. So far, this jackpot roll produced 22 winning $1 Million tickets nationwide from matching five numbers, as well as 10 winning $2 Million tickets from matching five numbers and purchasing the Power Play option.

Good luck! 

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