Mega Millions® and Powerball® Jackpots Continue to Roll; Please Play Responsibly

Two big jackpots are up for grabs in the next Powerball® and Mega Millions® drawings. Because of these high jackpots, the Nebraska Lottery reminds customers to play responsibly.

Nebraska Powerball Power PlayA string of drawings without a jackpot winner have grown the estimated Powerball jackpot to its highest level since October 2018. The Powerball jackpot starts at $40 million and continues to grow by at least $10 million each drawing until it is won. There have been 18 consecutive drawings since December 29 without a jackpot winner. This run has grown the estimated jackpot for the Saturday, March 2 drawing to $348 million or $211.9 million with the cash option selected.

Nebraska Lottery Mega Millions with MegaplierMega Millions has also seen its jackpot grow over the last few months. There have been 16 drawings since January 4 without a jackpot winner, growing the estimated jackpot for the Friday, March 1 drawing to $267 million or $161.7 million with the cash option selected.

The dual jackpot runs have produced some large Nebraska winners. A $150,000 Powerball Power Play winning ticket for the January 19 drawing was sold at Cubby's, 13821 Guildford Street in Waverly; a $10,000 Mega Millions winning ticket from the February 1 drawing was sold at Pump & Pantry, 4311 Second Street, Kearney; and another $10,000 Mega Millions winning ticket was sold at Hy-Vee, 5020 North 27th Street in Lincoln for the February 26 drawing.

The largest Mega Millions jackpot on record occurred in October 2018 when one winner in South Carolina won a $1.537 billion jackpot. The largest Powerball jackpot on record occurred in January 2016 when three winners in California, Florida and Tennessee split a $1.586 billion jackpot.

Play Responsibly

Because of the high jackpots, the Nebraska Lottery encourages customers to play within their means. “It’s important for Nebraska Lottery players to remember that no matter how large the jackpot is, the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302 million, and the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million,” said Lottery Director Brian Rockey. “Your odds of winning remain the same, regardless of how many tickets are purchased or how many people play.” If you or someone you know has a problem with compulsive gambling, please call the Nebraska Problem Gambling Help Line toll free at 833-BETOVER (238-6837).

Published on 02/11/2019