US Mega Millions grand prize surpasses billion-dollar mark

By Faruk Zorlu

The US Mega Millions' grand jackpot has surpassed $1 billion, with expectations mounting as Tuesday night's draw approaches.

For the fifth time, the Mega Millions jackpot has crossed the $1-billion threshold, with the most recent instance occurring in January, where a winning ticket in Maine resulted in a $1.348 billion payout.

After no ticket matched all six numbers drawn on Friday night, the jackpot surged past the billion-dollar mark. Tuesday's upcoming draw will be the 30th since the jackpot was last won in New York on April 18.

Both the Mega Millions and Powerball drawings are held twice a week, with tickets costing $2.

The record for the biggest Mega Millions jackpot was $1.5 billion back in 2018.