Check your numbers for Friday, March 22 for the Mega Millions $977 million jackpot

Drew Dawson and Drake Bentley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Will Mega Millions make you a multimillionaire overnight?

After no one matched all five numbers plus the Mega Ball in the Tuesday, March 19 drawing, the grand prize climbed to $977 million for Friday, March 22.

The winning numbers for Mega Millions on Friday were 3-8-31-35-44 and the Mega Ball was 16. Megaplier was 3x.

The estimated $977 million prize ranks as the 10th largest in U.S. lottery history.

Tuesday's numbers were 24-46-49-62-66 and the Mega Ball was 7. Megaplier was 2x.

Tickets start at $2 apiece. Below is what to know about lottery odds, how long you have to claim the cash option if you bought a ticket in Wisconsin, and what happens to unclaimed prize money, according to the Wisconsin Lottery.

How much was Mega Millions lottery jackpot for Friday, March 22?

An estimated $977 million with a cash option of $461 million.

When do Wisconsin Lottery tickets expire?

Prizes for Wisconsin Lottery must be claimed within 180 days (six months) from the date of the drawing. You can find a list of expired tickets, or those expiring soon, on the Wisconsin Lottery website.

What happens to the unclaimed prize money?

According to the Wisconsin Lottery, the value of unclaimed prizes is credited to the Wisconsin Lottery property tax relief fund.

What are the odds of winning a Mega Millions lottery game?

Mega Millions drawings are held at 10 p.m. CDT Tuesday and Friday. According to the Wisconsin Lottery, players have a 1 in 302.6 million chance to match all six numbers. Prizes range from $2 to the grand prize jackpot, which varies.

Are the odds of winning Mega Millions the same if the jackpot is $1 billion?

Players have a 1 in 24 chance of winning a prize, megamillions.com says. Players have a 1 in 302.6 million chance to match all six numbers whether the jackpot is $20 million or $1 billion.

Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?

No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state's open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner's consent.

How do you claim a lottery prize in Wisconsin?

That depends on how much you won.

For prizes up to $599:

  • You can redeem your winnings at any Wisconsin Lottery retail.

  • At the Wisconsin Lottery offices in Madison or Milwaukee. The Wisconsin Lottery recommends arriving by 3:30 p.m. to allow enough time to process your ticket.

  • Tickets can also be mailed to:

Prizes

P.O. Box 777

Madison, WI 53774

For prizes between $600 and $199,999:

  • Prizes can be claimed in-person at the Wisconsin Lottery offices in Madison or Milwaukee. The Wisconsin Lottery recommends arriving by 3:30 p.m. for most prizes and 2 p.m. for prizes of $50,000 or more to allow enough time to process your ticket.

  • Tickets can also be signed and mailed to:

Prizes

P.O. Box 777

Madison, WI 53774

For prizes exceeding $200,000:

  • Prizes must be claimed in-person at the Wisconsin Lottery office in Madison. The Wisconsin Lottery recommends calling 608-261-4916 to schedule a time to process the ticket.

When did lotto jackpots hit $1 billion or more?

As of March 22, 2024, there have been nine lottery jackpots that have reached or surpassed $1 billion. Only once has a jackpot surpassed $2 billion.

  • 9. $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021: A single ticket won in Michigan.

  • 8. $1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023: A single ticket won in California.

  • 7. $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: A single ticket won in Illinois.

  • 6. $1.35 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023: A single ticket was purchased in Maine.

  • 5. $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: A single ticket won in South Carolina.

  • 4. $1.58 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023: A single ticket won in Neptune Beach, Florida

  • 3. $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016: Three tickets won from California, Florida, Tennessee.

  • 2. $1.765 billion Powerball drawing, Oct. 11, 2023: A single ticket won from California.

  • 1. $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022: A single ticket won in California

What are the Top 10 largest lottery jackpots in U.S. history?

The following Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots made the Top 10 biggest lottery jackpots in U.S. history, as of March 22, 2024.

  • 10. $842.4 million Powerball drawing, Jan. 1, 2024; Michigan

  • 9. $1.05 billion Mega Millions drawing, Jan. 22, 2021; Michigan

  • 8. $1.08 billion Powerball drawing, July 19, 2023; California

  • 7. $1.337 billion Mega Millions drawing, July 29, 2022; Illinois

  • 6. $1.35 billion Mega Millions drawing, Jan. 13, 2023; Maine

  • 5. $1.537 billion Mega Millions drawing, Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina

  • 4. $1.58 billion Mega Millions drawing, Aug. 8, 2023; Florida

  • 3. $1.586 billion Powerball drawing, Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida and Tennessee

  • 2. $1.765 billion Powerball drawing, Oct. 11, 2023; California

  • 1. $2.04 billion Powerball drawing, Nov. 7, 2022; California

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Did anyone win Mega Millions jackpot for Friday, March 22, 2024?

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