With the Mega Millions jackpot in record territory and the Powerball jackpot closing in, North Carolinians have a chance to win over $2.2 billion this week.

The Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday’s drawing is a $1.6 billion worth $913.7 million cash. This is the largest Mega Millions jackpot on record and the largest jackpot in U.S. history. The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday’s drawing is $620 million or $354.3 million cash. This is the 3rd largest Powerball jackpot and the 6th largest jackpot in U.S. history.

“We’re overdue for another jackpot winner here in North Carolina,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “We’ve had six jackpot winners so far, and would love to have someone from North Carolina bring another one home this week.”

Some jackpot numbers

• 4. The average player in N.C. spent just over $4 on tickets in the last Mega Millions and Powerball drawings.
• 9. There are nine ways a player can win playing either game.
• 10. That’s how many times the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots have been hit this year.

High jackpots mean more players

When jackpots get this high, more people play. The size of the jackpot attracts both new and occasional players. The average player spent just over $4 on tickets for the last Mega Millions and Powerball drawings.
“Jackpots give people a chance to dream,” Michalko said. “It’s exciting to think about what you would do if you won a life-changing prize.”

Prizes are won in every drawing

Odds of winning a jackpot are high, but people do win. Together, the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots have been won 10 times this year.

Both games offer players nine ways to win. In Saturday’s drawing, 82,369 Powerball tickets sold in North Carolina won a prize. Four of them were $50,000 prizes. In Friday’s drawing, 268,900 Mega Millions tickets sold in the state won a prize. One was a $20,000 prize and three of them were $10,000 prizes.

Prizes can range from $2 to $5 million depending on the game and type of ticket a player buys.