Mega Millions jackpot: Two $10K winning tickets sold in Illinois

Mega Millions jackpot soars to $1.25 billion after no one wins top prize

The Mega Millions jackpot increased to an estimated $1.25 billion after no one beat the odds Tuesday night and won the massive lottery prize.

CHICAGO - The Mega Millions Jackpot just keeps growing, as no one matched all the winning numbers in Tuesday night’s drawing.

That means the jackpot is now estimated at $1.25 billion.

Before you toss out your old tickets, the Illinois Lottery says two sold in our state are worth $10,000 each.

The next Mega Millions drawing is Friday, and remember, you can still trade your losing ticket for a free donut at Krispy Kreme.

No one has won the Mega Millions jackpot since April 18, allowing it to grow larger and larger. The $1.25 billion prize for Friday’s drawing is one of the largest in U.S. history. Tuesday night’s drawing for $1.1 billion was the 30th straight without a winner.

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The lottery drought is due to a combination of poor luck and terrible odds, as the chance of winning the Mega Millions jackpot is 1 in 302.6 million. The odds of winning smaller prizes, ranging from $2 to $1 million, are significantly better.

The new $1.25 billion jackpot is for a sole winner who chooses to collect through an annuity, with annual payments over 30 years. A sole winner who opts for a lump sum payment would receive an estimated $625.3 million.

Winners also would be subject to federal taxes, and many states also tax lottery winnings.

Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.