The Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots both reached big milestones this week, giving lottery players in North Carolina a chance to play for a combined $700 million in prizes.
Tonight’s Mega Millions drawing will offer the first big jackpot opportunity with a $300 million annuity or $156 million cash. Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing tops that with a jackpot worth $400 million as an annuity or $207.1 million in cash.
“For fans of Powerball and Mega Millions, it doesn’t get more exciting than having both jackpots rolling at the same time,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “Just remember it only takes one lucky ticket to win so play smart. Good luck to all our players.”
As players continue to go for the jackpot, lots of other great prizes have been won recently. On Monday, a Charlotte woman claimed a $250,000 prize that she won playing Powerball in the June 7 drawing. She said she would now plan to take a bigger honeymoon with her winnings.
Monday night’s Powerball drawing delivered more than 13,000 winning tickets to players in North Carolina.
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.
Ticket sales from draw games make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $2.5 million a day on average 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.