Mega Millions jackpot soars to $785 million

After it was revealed that no one had correctly predicted all six numbers in Friday's lottery drawing, the massive Mega Millions jackpot shot up to $785 million.

The $685 million jackpot's winning numbers on Friday were 1, 3, 6, 44, 51, and the Gold Mega Ball number was 7.

On Tuesday, January 3, the next drawing will be held. The new jackpot estimate is $785 million, while the cash prize option is expected to be worth $395 million.

Since the lottery's jackpot was last won on October 14 when two winning tickets split a $502 million prize, the jackpot has increased over the course of 22 draws. There are currently 302.6 million to one odds against winning.

Since the last drawing, it has risen steadily; since there were no winning tickets for all six numbers on Tuesday, the prize was projected to reach $640 million.

The estimated $785 million reward can be paid out in 29 years' worth of yearly payments or in a single payment of $395 million.

What happens next for the fortunate Mega Millions winners who suddenly become wealthy?

This year, only six Mega Millions jackpots have been claimed. California, Florida, New York, Minnesota, Illinois, and Tennessee were among the states with winning tickets.

Only three times in the past has the Mega Millions prize exceeded $700 million, and each of those three rolls carried on above $1 billion, according to Mega Millions.

For just the third time in its history, the jackpot reached $1 billion in July.

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