Friday’s Mega Millions drawing offers half-billion-dollar jackpot for holidays

December 22, 2022 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:35 AM

The Mega Millions jackpot continues its surge just in time for the holidays as it tops half a billion dollars for Friday night’s drawing.

A North Carolina winner would have the choice of taking home the $510 million jackpot as an annuity or $266.8 million in cash.

Even though the jackpot remains up for grabs, North Carolinians are taking home other great prizes. In Tuesday night’s drawing, a lucky ticket matched four white balls and the yellow Mega Ball to win $10,000. The ticket was purchased at the Citistop on Hoopers Creek Road in Fletcher in Henderson County.

The Mega Millions jackpot has been on a roll since two tickets in Florida and California split a $502 million jackpot in the Oct. 14 drawing. The odds of winning a Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302.5 million.

The Powerball also has been on a roll recently as the Christmas Eve jackpot rises to $186 million, or $100.1 million in cash.

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

14 COMMENTS

12/28/2022 12:06 - ron b.

You have to keep the faith & believe in your blessing is coming. Just like Noah keeping the faith, is something to believe in . Keep hope alive always.

12/26/2022 03:35 - Daniel J.

The odds are always the same no matter how high the jackpot rolls. It definitely is not worth chasing by buying extra tickets for it .

12/26/2022 02:31 - Gina C.

OMG..... I won a whopping $1 for getting 2 out of 5 #'s right playing Cash 5, LOL. And by the way, could someone tell me what SHIRLEY B. means by "other states dropping trips & Quads????? Sorry don't understand.

12/25/2022 10:11 - wayne r.

I played PB, MM, and then Cash5 for many years. I have lost interest other than an occasional scratchoff when on the road. What's the chance of starting a WinFall rolldown game in NC? Model it off the MI and MA versions.

12/25/2022 04:36 - shirley b.

I see a lot of people are unhappy with the NC lottery. Everybody can't win but when you see neighboring states dropping trips and quads, it makes players suspicious. Because no players Everybody loses!!!!!

12/25/2022 04:41 - Sheila C.

I agree witb Gina C and Bill I. The Lottery folks could make changes so there would be more winners. Listen up Lottery folks; make changes so there can be more winners!

12/23/2022 12:43 - joanie m.

In it to Win It Time for a Carolina winner Merry Christmas to NCEL and to all players

12/23/2022 10:48 - Theresa B.

Merry Christmas ??

12/23/2022 05:54 - Mark D.

Oh, come ON!!! Just another round of bull to get everyone hyped up to win a jackpot that is as rigged as it gets. Who’s gonna win it this time? Someone in the deep blue sea for sure. Probably a Californian or a New Yorker. Definitely not anybody from the South. Give it up, fellow players! Ain’t worth your money.

12/23/2022 12:36 - Rickey E.

Smh

12/22/2022 09:11 - Gina C.

Why do you guys leave up OLD, PAST second chance drawings like the Colossal Cash that is still listed with the other ones that ARE STILL VALID?????????? C'MON MAN. And also , how about trying to spread the money around a little and QUIT having those 1 Winner $500.00 lucky rewards drawings.... It doesn't take a genius to know it is the people who ALREADY HAVE MONEY and can play the big money games which give the MOST points that can enter these drawings. You guys could have 50 winner $100.00 or $500.00(even better) lucky rewards drawings every week. Maybe LISA E. is on to something....???? I think Power Ball & Mega Mill. should cap out every time at 75 million, and let some Mathematicians FIGURE OUT the distribution IN ANY CASE!!! it could be done.... one can only dream.

12/22/2022 07:14 - Bill I.

I hate to admit it but the previous review is most likely spot on , I’m sure Mega is trying to get there jack pot to the 2.2 Billion for bragging rights, and for just one winner from millions of quick picks is another questionable thing. There should’ve been 6 plus winners, I feel the system is set to pick certain numbers once all picks are in it scans the system then creates a winning number. There should be a limit of $500 million on each game . Just my opinion.

12/22/2022 06:47 - Robert F.

I try very hard to put the right numbers in the MEGA Millions game. I have played for 40 years and at best maybe won a 100 dollars. But I keep playing and unfortunately I have not won. It is a great game along with Power Ball, and maybe someday I will get to share with my first Grand son a great WIN...Thank you

12/22/2022 03:04 - lisa e.

Not playing. It's probably rigged just like the PowerBall game was! And so far the pick 3 and pick 4 are also rigged too! ??

Get the Mobile App

No Longer Just a Game? There's Help

Call 877-718-5543 Text "morethanagamenc" to 53342 Chat morethanagamenc.com

MUST BE 18 TO PLAY. Odds to win a prize and the top prize vary based on the game or promotion. See game or promotion pages for more detail.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the winning numbers posted on this website are accurate; however, no valid claim may be based on information contained herein. In the event of a discrepancy between the numbers posted on this website and the official winning numbers, the official winning numbers as certified by the Multi-State Lottery Association and/or the NCEL shall control. All materials on this Website are owned by or licensed to the NCEL. Materials on this Website may not be modified in any way or reproduced or publicly displayed, performed or distributed or otherwise used for any public or commercial purpose without the express written consent of the NCEL. Copyright © 2006-2024. The North Carolina Education Lottery. All rights reserved. Play Smart™ term is a service mark of the Illinois Lottery licensed to the NCEL.

Progressive Jackpot Estimate

Win up to $1,000,000 every 4 minutes

Big Thrills Served Fast.

Friday’s Mega Millions drawing offers half-billion-dollar jackpot for holidays

December 22, 2022 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:35 AM

Helpful Links

Get the Mobile App

No Longer Just a Game? There's Help