North Carolinians can play this week for jackpots in the Powerball and Mega Millions games that both offer prizes worth over $300 million.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot stands at a $352 million annuity that is worth $163.3 million in cash.
Tuesday’s Mega Millions jackpot stands at a $335 million annuity that is worth $153.1 million in cash.

“We always get excited when both Mega Millions and Powerball go on big runs at the same time,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “We have seen some big wins recently in both games and hopefully we will be celebrating a big jackpot win in North Carolina this week.”

As players continue to try for the jackpots, North Carolinians keep winning other big prizes in both games. One lucky player from Lillington in Harnett County won $1 million in Wednesday’s Powerball drawing. The ticket matched the numbers on all five white balls to win the prize. The odds of matching numbers on all five white balls are 1 in 11.6 million.

Wednesday’s win marked the third $1 million Powerball or Mega Millions win in North Carolina in less than a week.

The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million. The odds of winning a Mega Millions 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.

Play Smart, Gift Smart raises awareness that lottery tickets are not appropriate gifts for kids as part of a national gift responsibly campaign. Research shows that the earlier someone participates in or is exposed to gambling, the more likely they are to develop a gambling problem later in life. Check out our blog to learn more and Play Smart, Gift Smart this holiday season.