The Mega Millions jackpot keeps on growing and now stands at $575 million for Friday’s drawing.

A winner tonight would have the choice of taking home the $575 million jackpot as an annuity or $264.6 million in cash.

“Large jackpots are always a source of excitement for players who are dreaming about winning a life-changing prize,” said Mark Michalko, chief executive officer of the N.C. Education Lottery. “We are all hoping that dream comes true for some lucky North Carolinian tonight.”

Even though the jackpot remains up for grabs, players are taking home lots of other prizes playing Mega Millions. Tuesday’s drawing produced more than 10,000 winning tickets in North Carolina.

The Mega Millions jackpot has been on a roll since a single ticket in Virginia won a $348 million jackpot on June 27.

The odds of winning a Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 290 million.

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

The N.C. Education Lottery’s Play Smart™ program helps North Carolinians make the most of their lottery play. Visit ncplaysmart.com to learn about all things lottery, from tips on how odds work to how to enter bonus drawings.