Superstition didn't deter players hoping that Friday the 13th will bring them good luck in the Mega Millions game as heavy sales prompted lottery officials to boost the jackpot to $425 million.
Paula Otto, the Virginia Lottery's executive director and Mega Millions' lead director, said that sales were 40 percent ahead of projections, prompting officials to boost the jackpot for the draw that night.
The winning numbers drawn Friday night were: 19-24-26-27-70, Mega Ball: 12.
The estimated $425 million jackpot is the second-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever, trailing a $656 million jackpot won in March 2012, and it is the fifth largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history. The current jackpot has rolled over 20 times, and its winner could have a cash option of $228 million before taxes.
In New York state, tickets were selling at a pace of $500,000 an hour Friday morning. The state's lottery spokeswoman, Christy Calicchia, said sales are normally between $60,000 and $70,000 an hour.
Mike Cline, 46, bought a lone Mega Millions ticket at a Des Moines convenience store Friday morning.
A Mega Millions ticket still costs $1 after a major game revamp in October that decreased the odds of winning the jackpot to about 1 in 259 million.
The winning ticket must match the six numbers drawn. About 32 percent of the possible combinations of numbers have been sold. If no one wins Friday night, the jackpot will increase to $550 million, Otto said.
Mega Millions is played in 43 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
(cbsnews.com)
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