Mega Millions Jackpot Continues to Grow

Another thrilling Mega Millions drawing took place on Friday night, but once again, there was no lucky jackpot winner. The numbers drawn were as follows:

• White Balls: 11, 30, 45, 52, 56
• Mega Ball: 20

With nobody managing to match all six numbers and claim the staggering $1.35 billion prize, the jackpot has now grown even larger. The estimated top prize for the next drawing on Tuesday night is a mind-boggling $1.55 billion.

This marks the 31st consecutive drawing without a jackpot winner. The last time someone was able to secure the Mega Millions jackpot was on April 18.

For the fortunate sole winner who opts for the annuity option with payments spread out over 30 years, the $1.55 billion prize would be their incredible reward. However, many winners choose to receive a lump-sum payment, which for Tuesday's drawing is estimated to be around $757.2 million.

It's important to keep in mind that a significant portion of the winnings will be allocated to federal taxes, and several states also impose taxes on lottery payouts.

Understanding just how challenging it is to win the Mega Millions jackpot can help put the immense prize into perspective. The odds of matching all five white balls and the separate mega ball are an astonishing 1 in 302.6 million. On a brighter note, the odds of winning smaller prizes, starting at $2, are more favorable.

Mega Millions is an exciting game available in 45 states across the United States, as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.