The Mega Millions jackpot is estimated to hit $1 billion on Christmas Eve after there was no winner declared last week. The estimated cash prize is now $448.8 million, according to the Mega Millions lottery.
Another drawing will happen at 11 p.m. on Tuesday. All drawings are finalized at 10:45 p.m.
“’Tis the season of giving, and today we’re thrilled to be able to raise the Mega Millions jackpot for the Christmas Eve drawing to $1 billion,” Joshua Johnston, lead director for the Mega Millions Consortium, said in a statement. “The dream of that sum of money is just so much fun to think about, especially around the holidays, when there’s already a sense of magic in the air. Can you imagine going to bed and then waking up on Dec. 25, checking your ticket and realizing you just won a $1 billion jackpot?”
This is the seventh time in Mega Millions history that the jackpot has passed the billion-dollar mark, according to the Mega Millions website.
The Mega Millions jackpot has been building up money since it was last won in Texas on Sept. 10 for $810 million, Mega Millions said.
Smaller prizes in Massachusetts have been won since the last jackpot prize.
A $1 million prize was won after a ticket was purchased at Ghafour Fuel in Norwood on Dec. 13, according to the Massachusetts lottery.
