Michigan Lottery bracing website for rush ahead of $1 billion Mega Millions drawing

LANSING, MI — With one of many largest lottery jackpot drawings ever scheduled for Friday night time, the Michigan Lottery says it’s rising capability on its web site with a purpose to deal with the anticipated demand. Friday’s Mega Tens of millions jackpot is at present value $1.02 billion, the fourth largest in U.S. historical past and third largest Mega Tens of millions jackpot ever.

Demand for last-minute ticket gross sales impacted the Michigan Lottery web site forward of Tuesday night time’s $830 million drawing, however officers say the web site was by no means down for any time frame.

“We had a lot site visitors final night time that it slowed issues down,” mentioned Michigan Lottery spokesperson Jake Harris. “The Mega Tens of millions web site had points as effectively and was down for a pair hours.”

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Harris went on to say that the corporate the Lottery works with for the web site had comparable points with different lotteries out-of-state, however gamers have been by no means unable to entry the platform and will purchase tickets.

“It’s laborious to anticipate what the site visitors goes to appear like, however we’ve performed an excellent job to prepare for it,” Harris mentioned.

Prior giant jackpots have examined the Lottery web site previously, which suggests this isn’t unprecedented territory for the Lottery. Nevertheless, simply because the web site is rising capability, different tech points can nonetheless pop up should you wait too late to purchase a ticket.

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Web connections can drop out or financial institution cost programs can have points, which might result in gamers lacking out on the possibility to purchase a ticket. Harris encourages gamers to purchase their tickets early to make sure they’ve them forward of Friday’s drawing, both in particular person or on-line.

To not point out it offers you a bit of time to fantasize about the way you’ll spend your winnings.

“Once you purchase a ticket, you’re shopping for a dream,” Harris mentioned.

For the most recent on Michigan Lottery, take a look at the official Michigan Lottery website, which additionally affords extra info on instantaneous tickets, raffles and different lottery video games.

The final gamers from Michigan to win a Mega Tens of millions or Powerball jackpot is the Wolverine FLL lottery membership which claimed a $1.05 billion jackpot in March 2021. With their winnings, the group plans to present again to the neighborhood.

And whereas they have been fortunate winners, it’s sensible for gamers to test their tickets instantly as a winner value $1 million offered in Warren final yr went unclaimed. The cash as a substitute went to the state’s College Support Fund.