Two California tickets hit $395 million Mega Millions jackpot

Two lottery players will split the $395 million Mega Millions jackpot.

Both tickets both sold in California for Friday’s drawing matched all six balls to win the jackpot, according to the Mega Millions website. The cash option was an estimated $189 million.

The jackpot had last been hit on Oct. 6 when a lottery player in Texas won a $360 million jackpot.

The jackpot will not reset to $20 million for Tuesday night’s drawing.

Meanwhile, the Powerball jackpot is at $468 million with a cash option of $225.3 million, according to the Powerball website. 

Mega Millions winning numbers for Dec. 8

Here are the Mega Millions winning numbers for Friday, Dec. 8, 2023:

21 – 26 – 53 – 66 – 70 and Megaball 13

Megaplier was 3x

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When is next Mega Millions drawing?

Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.

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How do I play Mega Millions?

The cost is $2 per ticket, but you can add the Megaplier for $1, which will increase the amount of your potential prize up to five times the original prize (except for the jackpot).

Each player selects five numbers from 1 to 70 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 25 for the Mega Ball. However, you can also have the lottery machine generate a random Quick Pick for you. You don’t need to be a U.S. citizen or a resident of a particular state where you purchase your ticket.

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How many balls do I need to match for Mega Millions prize?

You can win $2 for the matching just one – the Mega Ball. Short of the jackpot, you can win up to $1 million for matching all five white balls (except in California). You can check all the prize payouts on the Mega Millions site here.

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Where is the Mega Millions available?

You can play the game in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The states not offering Mega Millions are: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.

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Where can you buy lottery tickets?  

Tickets can be purchased in-person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets. 

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.  

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What is deadline for buying Mega Millions tickets?

The deadline for purchasing a Mega Millions ticket varies by state so don’t wait until the last minute. It can be 15 minutes to an hour or more before the actual drawing. For some third-party lottery apps, the deadline can be closer to two hours before the drawing. For example, Jackpocket in New Jersey has a deadline of 9:15 p.m. for the 11 p.m. ET drawing.

Click here to check the deadline for where you live.

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What are my odds of winning the lottery?

Playing the Mega Millions can be exciting, but just don’t go spending those millions before you win.

The odds of winning the jackpot are 302,575,350-to-1. The odds to match all five white balls are 12,607,306-to-1.

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What does cash option mean?

The major lotteries in the United States offer two jackpot payout options: annuity and cash.

The annuity option is paid out over time. There is an immediate payment and then 29 annual payments after that, increasing by 5% each year. The cash option is significantly lower than the advertised jackpot, but it is paid in a lump sum. You don’t have to wait decades for all the money.

Can a jackpot winner remain anonymous?

In some states, like New Jersey, you can win a lottery anonymously. That wasn’t always the case, but now winners are able to stay anonymous under a law that was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy. In other states, a winner’s name and hometown are a matter of public record. Check with your state lottery for more information.

What are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots?

Here are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots ever:

1. $1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023: Florida
2. $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
3. $1.348 billion, Jan. 13, 2023: Won in Maine
4. $1.337 billion: July 29, 2022: Illinois
5. $1.05 billion, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
6. $656 million, March 30, 2012: Three winners in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland 
7. $648 million, Dec. 17, 2013: Two winners in California, Georgia
8. $543 million, July 24, 2018: Won in California
9. $536 million, July 8, 20116: Won in Indiana
10. $533 million: March 30, 2018: Won in New Jersey 

What was largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever?

Here’s a look at the top jackpots won in the United States, between the Powerball and the Mega Millions lotteries:

1. $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022: California
2. $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023: Won in California
3. $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023: Won in Florida
4. $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee
5. $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
6. $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2022: Won in Maine
7. $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: Illinois
8. $1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023: Won in California
9. $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
10. $768.4 million, Powerball, March 27, 2019: Won in Wisconsin
11. $758.7 million, Powerball, Aug. 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts
12. $754.6 million, Powerball: Feb. 6, 2023: Won in Washington
13. $731.1 million,, Powerball, Jan. 20, 2021: Won in Maryland
14. $699.8 million, Powerball, Oct. 4, 2021: Won in California
15. $687.8 million, Powerball, Oct. 27, 2018: Two winners in Iowa, New York
16. $656 million, Mega Millions, March 30, 2012: Three winners in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland 
17. $648 million, Mega Millions, Dec. 17, 2013: Two winners in California, Georgia
18. $632.6 million, Powerball, Jan. 5, 2022: Two winner in California, Wisconsin
19. $590.5 million, Powerball, May 18, 2013: Won in Florida
20. $587.5 million, Powerball, Nov. 28, 2012: Two winners in Arizona, Missouri

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.