Mega Millions Winner Could Land Record Sum As Jackpot Climbs To $356M
One lucky American could be in line for the largest lottery win in history this week. The Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday’s draw has climbed to more than $350million after it went unclaimed on Friday. So gold-diggers in the lottery’s 43 states will surely be keen to get their hands on a ticket for a chance to claim the record sum.
At just $1 a ticket, it could the best investment the winner has ever made.
But players should be wary of getting too optimistic – the chance of winning is just 1 in 175,771,536.
Nonetheless, if a single player does end up taking away the prize it could be the most lucrative lottery victory ever.
The estimated $356million will of course be reduced by taxes – and if it is taken in cash rather than an annuity that will diminish its value further.
But it will in any case dwarf Mega Millions’ current record for a payout to one person, the $319million won by a New Yorker almost exactly a year ago.
The largest win so far was split between two fortunate players in March 2007, when the nominal value of the jackpot stood at $390million.
Tuesday’s $350million-plus jackpot would be more than enough for most people, however – after all, it is the equivalent of $1million per week for an entire 70-year lifespan.
Elite.
