The estimated jackpot for tonight’s Mega Millions drawing has been bumped up to $450 Million based on stronger than predicted sales across all participating Lottery jurisdictions. The $5 million boost secures tonight’s jackpot as the 4^th largest in the game’s history.

A single jackpot winner in tonight’s drawing would have the option to of receiving the jackpot as an annuity with one immediate payment and 29 additional graduated payments that add up to $450 Million or the winner could choose to receive the cash value of the annuitized prize. The cash value option would provide the winner with a one-time, lump-sum payment equal to the amount the Mega Millions group would have to invest to pay out the $450 Million annuity prize. The cash value for tonight's jackpot is $281.2 Million.

Tickets for tonight’s drawing can be purchased up until 10:45 p.m.

The winning numbers for the Mega Millions game are drawn from a field of one to 70. The Mega Ball is drawn from a separate field one to of 25. The Mega Millions drawing is televised every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.

A Mega Millions prize of any amount may be claimed up to one year from the date of the drawing.

About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.27 billion in fiscal year 2016-2017 to help support education in New York State. The Lottery’s contribution represents approximately 14 percent of total state education aid to local school districts.

New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education. It takes into account both a school district’s size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of Lottery school funding.