Mega Millions Jackpot Tops $743 Million: New Study Reveals the “Luckiest” Lottery Numbers

With the Mega Millions jackpot climbing to an estimated $743 million for tonight’s drawing, plenty of New Yorkers will be stopping for a ticket on their way home from work.

Whether you swear by birthdays, anniversaries or the same numbers you’ve played for years, a new study is taking a different approach to finding the “luckiest” lottery numbers.

The research analyzed every Powerball and Mega Millions drawing on record to see which numbers have appeared more often than expected over time. But before you change your ticket, there’s one important thing to know.

The Luckiest Powerball Numbers

Instead of simply counting which numbers have been drawn the most, researchers adjusted for how long each number has actually been eligible to appear. That means newer numbers were compared fairly against those that have been in the game for decades.

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According to the study, these are the current 10 luckiest Powerball white ball numbers based on draw rate:

The top two numbers, 21 and 61, have each been drawn about 23% more often than the average Powerball number, according to the analysis.

The Luckiest Mega Millions Numbers

The study also ranked Mega Millions numbers using the same method.

The hottest Mega Millions white ball is 10, which has landed about 30% more often than average, making it the luckiest number in the game based on historical draw rates.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, 51 ranked as the coldest Mega Millions number, appearing roughly 24% less often than expected.

Why This Study Is Different

Most “lucky lottery number” lists simply rank numbers by how many times they’ve been drawn.

Researchers say that isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison because older numbers have had many more opportunities to appear.

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A good example is Powerball number 32. While it has been drawn more than any other number in the game’s history, it falls to seventh place once its age is taken into account.

Meanwhile, newer Powerball numbers like 61, 63 and 64, which were introduced in 2015, rise to the top because they’ve appeared at higher rates during the time they’ve actually been in play.

What It Means for New York Lottery Players

New Yorkers buy millions of lottery tickets each year in hopes of hitting a life-changing jackpot. And many of those players stick with birthdays and anniversaries, meaning they rarely choose numbers higher than 31.

That’s one reason researchers point to numbers like 61, 63 and 64. While they don’t improve your odds of winning, they’re less likely to appear on other players’ tickets, which could mean fewer people splitting a jackpot if those numbers are drawn.

Buying a Ticket for Tonight’s $743 Million Mega Millions Drawing?

If you’re planning to play for the estimated $743 million Mega Millions jackpot, remember that every drawing is completely random.

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No number is “due,” and every ball has the exact same chance of being selected each time the machines are used.

The study isn’t suggesting these numbers will win the next jackpot. Instead, it offers a fresh look at which numbers have historically outperformed expectations and highlights how raw draw totals can be misleading.

Whether you choose family birthdays, quick picks or a favorite set of numbers, the odds remain exactly the same. But for New York lottery players dreaming about becoming the state’s next millionaire, it certainly makes for an interesting conversation while filling out that ticket.