Jan. 07--The jackpot for the multi-state Mega Millions lottery, which includes California, is estimated to balloon to $221 million for Friday's drawing, lottery officials announced.
Players failed to match all six numbers during Tuesday's drawing, though one person in Minnesota won $1 million by matching five of them. The jackpot has been rolling over since Nov. 4, when one ticket in New York won a $326-million jackpot, the eighth largest in the game's history.
The jackpot, after taxes, would have an estimated cash value of $144 million, according to the California Lottery. The game is played in 43 states, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The largest lottery jackpot ever was a Mega Millions drawing in 2012 for $656 million. That prize was split among winners in three states.
In 2013 a winner in Northern California split a $648-million jackpot (the second largest in game history) with a winner in Atlanta.
Meanwhile, California Lottery officials are still waiting for someone to claim a $2.6-million Powerball jackpot from Dec. 29. The winning ticket was sold in West Sacramento, officials said.
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