Someone in North Carolina can ring in 2022 in an unforgettable way by winning a major jackpot in either Mega Millions on New Year’s Eve or Powerball on New Year’s Day.

On Friday, New Year’s Eve, a winner in the Mega Millions drawing would receive a $221 million jackpot as an annuity, or $159.6 million cash. On Saturday, New Year’s Day, a winner of the Powerball drawing would take home a $483 million jackpot as an annuity, or $347.7 million cash.

“What a wonderful way to start a new year,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “Good luck to all of our players in North Carolina.”

The Powerball jackpot has been rolling since the Oct. 4 drawing when a ticket sold in California won a $699.8 million jackpot, the 5th largest in game history. Powerball drawings now are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday and the odds of winning a jackpot are 1 in 292 million. The last time Powerball had a drawing on New Year’s Day was in 2020.

The Mega Millions jackpot was also last won in October when an Arizona family won a $108 million jackpot. Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday and the odds of winning a jackpot are 1 in 302 million.

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

Ticket sales from draw games such as Powerball and Mega Millions help make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $900 million a year for education. 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.