No one won the jackpot in last night’s Mega Millions drawing, sending the giant prize to a new world record. It is now an estimated $1.6 billion annuity, $905 million lump-sum option, for Tuesday’s drawing. Strong sales across the country likely mean it will go even higher by the time that drawing occurs.
The Mega Millions jackpot has edged just past the previous world record for a lottery prize, a Powerball jackpot of nearly $1.6 billion that was split by three tickets in California, Florida and Tennessee in January 2016.
LAST NIGHT’S WINNING NUMBERS
The winning numbers in last night’s $1 billion Mega Millions jackpot drawing were: 15-23-53-65-70 and Mega Ball 7. The Megaplier number was 2. A total of 78,286 plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players won prizes last night ranging from $2 up to $20,000.
IOWA’S BIG WINNERS
Two tickets purchased in Iowa came within one number of having at least a share of last night’s jackpot, with one winning a prize of $10,000 and the other winning $20,000. They each matched four of the first five numbers and the Mega Ball, but one of the tickets had added the Megaplier option, which doubled its prize.
The $20,000-winning ticket was purchased at EZ Go convenience store, 2723 Grand Ave. in Des Moines, while the $10,000-winning ticket was purchased at Casey’s, 1100 Eagle View Drive in Marion.
MEGA MILLIONS SALES IN IOWA
Iowa Lottery players bought more than $4 million in Mega Millions tickets for last night’s drawing, including nearly $2.8 million in tickets yesterday alone. During yesterday's busiest stretch from about 6-7 p.m., Mega Millions tickets were selling at nearly $5,800 per minute in Iowa. However, the average Mega Millions purchase yesterday remained about $6, or three plays per ticket. At the lottery, we were pleased that Iowans played at a fun level and didn’t go overboard.
EASY PICKS VS. MANUAL PLAYS
More than 94 percent of all of the plays purchased by Iowa Lottery players for last night's drawing were easy picks, meaning that the lottery terminal automatically generated the numbers on the ticket.
CAN’T FORGET POWERBALL
Not to be left out, the Powerball jackpot also is climbing into the stratosphere. That game’s jackpot for tonight’s drawing is an estimated $470 million annuity, or $268.6 million lump-sum option. It ranks at No. 8 on the list of Powerball’s biggest jackpots and No. 14 among the largest jackpots in the United States.
We’ll have the Iowa–related Powerball details following tonight’s drawing.
PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY
While we’re all having fun in this shared moment surrounding the giant jackpots, we at the Iowa Lottery stress to our players to please play responsibly. It only takes one ticket to have a shot at a prize.
Remember that playing the lottery is something that’s just for entertainment – there’s no guarantee that you’ll win the jackpot or any prize at all. Please play with your head, not over your head.
Emanuel: We have a video about the "Play 'Em All" feature on the promotions page of the Iowa Lottery website. Here is a direct link: https://youtu.be/x7GWKou8IWE
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | October 20, 2018 at 09:14 PM
Hi, Doug. The name of the game and the drawing for which your ticket is eligible are printed on the ticket itself. So, you will see "Mega Millions" or "Powerball" on the ticket.
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | October 20, 2018 at 09:09 PM
Hi, Emanuel. The option that you want to buy is "Play 'Em All." By buying the Play 'Em All option, you will receive 25 plays with all of the Mega Ball numbers, so plays with Mega Balls 1-25. Here in Iowa, the clerk can find the Play 'Em All feature on the lottery terminal by touching the "Special Offers" tab at the top of the terminal's main screen. Or, if you are buying a ticket at a self-service kiosk here in Iowa, after you select one of the Mega Millions play options, in the upper right of the screen, you'll see a button that says: Play 'Em All. By touching on that button, you can play that option.
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | October 20, 2018 at 09:07 PM
I bought a lottery ticket. How do I tell if it is for the mega millions game or the Iowa Powerball?
Posted by: Doug McCay | October 20, 2018 at 06:02 PM
Can someone explain how to do the play all option for mega millions
Posted by: Emanuel Receveur | October 20, 2018 at 05:35 PM