Powerball jackpot hits $600 million as Mega Millions grows to $743 million

The Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots are continuing to climb, with more than $1.3 billion in combined prizes now up for grabs after both games rolled over again this week.

Powerball has reached an estimated $600 million ahead of Saturday’s drawing, while Mega Millions has grown to an estimated $743 million for Friday’s drawing.

With no jackpot winners in either game’s latest drawing, both top prizes are expected to keep growing until someone matches all six numbers. Here’s what to know before the next drawings.

The Powerball jackpot is estimated at $600 million, with a cash option of $266.4 million. The next drawing is Saturday, July 25.

The Mega Millions jackpot is estimated at $743 million, with a cash option of $323.4 million. The next drawing is Friday, July 24.

Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET.

Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET.

Ticket purchase deadlines vary by state and may be one to two hours before the drawing.

The winning Powerball numbers for Wednesday, July 22 were 4, 5, 22, 50, 58 and the red Powerball was 1. The Power Play multiplier was 3x.

The winning Mega Millions numbers for Tuesday, July 21 were 25, 37, 59, 68, 70, and the gold Mega Ball was 10.

Neither drawing produced a jackpot winner. However, the latest Mega Millions drawing produced two multi-million-dollar winners, the players matched five white balls. One player with a 2x multiplier won $2 million, and the other with a 3x multiplier netted $3 million.

Powerball tickets cost $2 per play. Players select five numbers from 1 through 69 and one red Powerball from 1 through 26. Players may also use a Quick Pick to have their numbers selected randomly.

For an additional $1, players can add Power Play, which multiplies eligible non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times, depending on the multiplier selected for the drawing.

Mega Millions tickets cost $5 per play. Players select five numbers from 1 through 70 and one gold Mega Ball from 1 through 24, or choose an Easy Pick or Quick Pick for randomly generated numbers.

Every Mega Millions ticket includes a randomly assigned multiplier that can increase eligible non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times.

If more than one ticket wins either jackpot, the prize is divided evenly among the winning tickets.

The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, while the overall odds of winning any Powerball prize are 1 in 24.9.

The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are approximately 1 in 290.5 million. The overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are approximately 1 in 23.

Powerball and Mega Millions jackpot winners may choose between the advertised annuity or a one-time lump-sum cash payment. Both options are calculated before federal and any applicable state taxes.

The Powerball annuity is paid through one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5% each year.

Mega Millions also provides one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments, with each payment increasing by 5%.

The cash option provides one payment equal to the jackpot’s current cash value.

While both jackpots have grown into the hundreds of millions, they still trail the record-setting prizes awarded in recent years.

The largest Powerball jackpot was $2.04 billion, won in California in November 2022.

The largest Mega Millions jackpot was $1.602 billion, won in Florida in August 2023.

If no one wins either jackpot this week, both prizes will continue climbing and could move closer to joining the list of the largest lottery jackpots in U.S. history.

The National Council on Problem Gambling operates the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network, which can be reached at 1-800-GAMBLER. 

The network is a single national access point to local resources for people seeking help for a gambling problem. The network has 28 contact centers that provide resources and referrals for all 50 states and U.S. territories. Help is available 24/7 and is 100% confidential.

Help is also available via an online peer support forum at GetEvive.com/gamtalk.