the Mega Millions the jackpot for Tuesday’s lottery draw climbed to around $ 257 million, with a cash option valued at $ 175.9 million.

The winning numbers were: were: 6, 23, 43, 49 and 52. The Mega Ball drawn was 5, with a Megaplier of 3x.

While no one across the country hit Friday’s $ 240 million jackpot, a second prize ticket matching five numbers but not the Mega Ball was sold in Missouri. This is worth $ 4 million instead of the usual $ 1 million since the winner spent an additional $ 1 for the Megaplier option.

Friday’s winning numbers were: 17, 27, 28, 50 and 55. The drawn Mega Ball was 25, with a Megaplier of 4x.

In New Jersey, a third-price $ 10,000 ticket was purchased from Empire Discount Liquors on South Broad Street in Trenton. It matched four numbers plus the Mega Ball. Additionally, two of the 23 tickets to match four numbers in New Jersey were purchased with the Megaplier for an additional $ 1, valued at $ 2,000 each. The other 21 are valued at $ 500 each.

Mega Millions tickets cost $ 2 each and in New Jersey must be purchased by 10:45 p.m. on the night of the draw. The odds of a ticket hitting the jackpot by matching five numbers and the Mega Ball are 302,575,350 to 1. Players have a shot of 1 in 12,607,306 to win the second prize of at least $ 1 million. by matching five numbers.

The game is played in 45 states, Washington, DC, and the US Virgin Islands.

The New Jersey Lottery office in Lawrence is open by appointment only. You can still claim your winnings – provided they’re less than $ 599.50 – in person at any retailer.

The lottery also accepts mailed claims, although officials warn that payments could be temporarily delayed. Winners are encouraged to make copies of the claim form and the winning ticket for their records.

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Jeff Goldman can be reached at [email protected].

Chris Sheldon can be reached at [email protected].