The Mega Millions game will start the New Year by offering North Carolinians a chance to win an exciting jackpot of a $401 million annuity or $305.4 million in cash.

The Mega Millions jackpot has been growing since the Sept. 15 drawing when a $119 million jackpot was won with a ticket sold in Wisconsin.

“This New Year’s Day jackpot feels like déjà vu since it was only two years ago that a $437 million Mega Millions jackpot was won on New Year’s Day,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “If it’s won again on New Year’s Day, let’s hope it is someone in North Carolina!”

Mega Millions players nationwide won jackpots five times in 2020. Since North Carolina joined the game, two North Carolinians have won jackpots. The odds of winning a Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302.5 million.

North Carolinians also have a chance at a big jackpot win in Saturday’s Powerball drawing. The Powerball jackpot has climbed to$384 million as an annuity, or $295.4 million in cash. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million.

Players can buy $2 Powerball or Mega Millions tickets at any lottery retail location, through Online Play on the lottery’s website, www.nclottery.com, or by using the NC Lottery Official Mobile App.

Ticket sales from both games help raise money for education. Since both jackpots started rolling in September, tickets sales have raised an estimated $21.5 million for education programs in North Carolina.

For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.