The Mega Millions jackpot continues to stay hot this summer as it just raced past one third of a billion dollars.

Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot stands at a $360 million annuity that is worth $199.3 million in cash.

“It’s an exciting time for all our players whenever the jackpot gets on a big roll like this,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “Good luck to everyone in North Carolina this Independence Day weekend and make sure to check all your tickets carefully after the drawing.”

Mega Millions and Powerball were engaged in a back-and-forth duel for which could offer the bigger jackpot until Wednesday night’s drawing when a lucky player in Vermont purchased the winning Powerball jackpot ticket, valued at $366.7 million.

While the Mega Millions jackpot is still up for grabs, one lucky player in North Carolina won a $10,000 prize in Tuesday’s drawing. The winning ticket, purchased at Murphy USA on Cotton Grove Road in Lexington, has yet to be claimed.

The odds of winning a Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302.5 million.

Players can try their luck and buy 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 $900 million a year 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.