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Nationwide Mega Millions Jackpot Climbs to $243 Million

November 27, 2019

How Many of the Most Popular Black Friday Gifts Could a Lucky Mega Millions Winner Buy?

CHICAGO, IL – You might want to add a Mega Millions ticket to your holiday shopping list as Black Friday approaches. The jackpot is at its highest since early June, and Illinois players have the chance to win an estimated $243 million jackpot in the Mega Millions drawing taking place on Black Friday, November 29, 2019, at 10 p.m. 

“If you need a break from waiting in lines and fighting the crowds, a stop at your local Lottery retailer could pay off big on Black Friday,” said Jason Schaumburg, Illinois Lottery Communications Director. “While you’re there, pick up Holiday Instant Tickets, which make great gifts for all the adults on your list.”

Just think about it – $243 million is a hefty chunk of change, with a lot of holiday shopping potential when it comes to the most popular gifts purchased on Black Friday, such as electronics and appliances. If one lucky winner hit all their numbers and won the Mega Millions jackpot on Black Friday, they could buy*:

  • 4.9 million Giiker Smart Supercube Puzzle Games (1)
  • 1.6 million Fitbits (2)
  • 1.2 million KitchenAid Standing Mixers (3)
  • 1.2 million Philips AirFryers (4)
  • 975 thousand Apple AirPods Pro (5)

And if a Mega Millions winner was feeling really generous, he or she could easily buy every one of the expected 66.6 million Black Friday shoppers who brave the lines and the crowds a cup of coffee. (6)

With eight other prizes ranging from $2 to $1 million, players don’t have to hit the jackpot to cash in on Mega Millions! Illinois residents who are 18 and older can purchase Mega Millions and all of the Illinois Lottery’s draw-based game tickets by using the Illinois Lottery’s mobile app. The free app is available for download on iOS and Android devices and offers any Illinois adult the chance to purchase lottery tickets on their smartphone. Players can also purchase their tickets online at illinoislottery.com and at nearly 7,200 retailers statewide.

QUICK MEGA MILLIONS FACTS

  • Current jackpot is $243 million; cash option of $167 million; the largest Mega Millions jackpot since June
  • Jackpots start at $40 million
  • Overall odds of winning the jackpot are 1:302,575,350
  • Drawings are at 10 p.m. (CT) every Tuesday and Friday

 

*Source: (1) MoMa Design Store; (2) Fitbit.com; (3) KitchenAid.com; (4) Philips.com; (5) Apple.com; (6) National Retail Federation

About the Illinois Lottery:

Founded in 1974, the Illinois Lottery has contributed over $21 billion (since 1985) to the state’s Common School Fund to assist K-12 public schools, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars to the Capital Projects Fund and to special causes like Illinois Veterans services, the fight against breast cancer, MS research, Special Olympics, police memorials and assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS. In addition to playing in-store, the Illinois Lottery offers online and mobile play for all draw-based Illinois Lottery games at illinoislottery.com. Players must be at least 18 years old.