Mega Millions jackpot rolls to $330 million for Tuesday

ATLANTA, Ga., (January 3, 2011) – Mega Millions is gearing up for a mega grab for Tuesday’s drawing. Because of increased sales, the jackpot was raised to an estimated $330 million to a single annuity winner. It only takes $1 for a chance to win big.

Any lucky player who matches all five white ball numbers, along with the Mega Ball number, could win approximately $12.6 million a year for 26 years with the annuity option. Or a player could select the cash option and win a single payment worth approximately $208 million.

Any Georgia Lottery retailer who sells a winning Mega Millions jackpot ticket can earn the $25,000 retailer incentive bonus payment. If more than one winning jackpot ticket is sold in Georgia, the retailers selling the winning tickets will share the $25,000 retailer incentive bonus.

As with all other Georgia Lottery games, proceeds from Mega Millions will benefit education in the state of Georgia. Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corp. has returned more than $12.1 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs, including Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia’s Pre-K Program. More than 1.25 million students have received HOPE, and more than 1 million 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program.

MEGA MILLIONS FAST FACTS
Draw Date: January 4, 2011
Estimated Jackpot Amount: $330 million
Annuity Amount: Approximately $12.6 million a year for 26 years
Cash Option Amount: Approximately $208 million
Cost to Play: $1 per play
Drawings: 11 p.m. (ET) every Tuesday and Friday
Overall Odds of Winning Any Prize: Approximately 1:40
Odds of Winning Jackpot Prize: Approximately 1:175 million
Date Jackpot Began Rolling: Nov. 12, 2010
Number of Rolls: 15
Last Winning Jackpot Ticket: Nov. 9, 2010 in Ohio
#1 Georgia Lottery Jackpot: Mega Millions = $390 million; March 6, 2007; Ga./N.J. winners
Georgia Lottery Rank: 5
Mega Millions Rank: 3
Mega Millions Jurisdictions: 43
Total population: 264 million


For more information on the Georgia Lottery Corporation and Mega Millions, please visit:
www.galottery.com and www.megamillions.com