The Lotto Matrix: Mega Near $1 Billion And Large Powerball Lurks

First Things First

How much is Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot drawing worth? You can almost sense the excitement about our “Grown Man” being one rollover shy of becoming a “Grown-Ass Man” with $965 million on the line. The cash option is a robust $445.3 million.

It would be the first time The Lotto Matrix had a Mega Millions jackpot with “Grown-Ass Man” status as it sits on the verge of becoming the eighth $1 billion jackpot in Mega Millions history.

There was plenty of good news on the second-tier payout front: A four-drawing drought for tickets lacking the Mega Ball ended emphatically with three winners. Winners in Iowa and Arizona grabbed $3 million thanks to a 3x Megaplier; a player in New York landed a $5 million payday thanks to the 5x.

The $11 million in total payouts for five-number tickets was the second-largest for any drawing since the April changeover to the $5 ticket. Three tickets from the Oct. 7 drawing provided $12 million via 3x, 4x, and 5x Megapliers.

Additionally, the 27 tickets containing four numbers and the Mega Ball and $750,000 in total prize money were the most for a single drawing since the changeover. The previous highs for each category were 18 tickets for the Sep. 5 drawing and $490,000 in payouts last Friday.

There have been a record 40 drawings since a player in Virginia matched all numbers for the $348 million jackpot June 27.

How much is Saturday’s Powerball jackpot drawing worth? Folks, we have a “Grown Man” among us with a $546 million jackpot up for grabs following another three rollovers. Anyone wanting instant gratification must make do with a $255 million cash option.

Like its counterpart, Powerball shook off a four-drawing drought without a millionaire Wednesday when tickets in New Jersey and Virginia had five numbers minus the Powerball. For the first time since Sep. 22, more tickets that contained four numbers and the Powerball had the Power Play option than not. The seven tickets with ($100,000 with the 2x) and six without ($50,000) paid out a combined $1 million.

There have been 29 rollovers since the $1.787 billion jackpot was won Sept. 6, with both winners opting for the $410 million cash value option.

It’s about damn time, people!

Napkin math ninja and Lottery Geeks cohort Eric Raskin pointed out estimated ticket sales for Mega Millions have increased as the jackpot has swelled in recent weeks to a point where lottery organizers had promised when changing the price point from $2 to $5 this spring.

With increased ticket sales come bigger rollovers from drawing to drawing. Case in point: There was an approximate 4.5% increase in ticket sales from the Oct. 24 to Oct. 28 drawings, going from 11 million to 11.5 million. The jackpot increased 5% from $680 million to $714 million.

There was a 13.7% bump in estimated sales from the Nov. 4 to the Nov. 7 drawings to 15.8 million. The prize increase was 5.4% to $843 million. It may not sound like much, but a $43 million jump is 20.9% larger than the $34 million from late October.

Now look at the last two rollovers. From last Friday to Tuesday, the jackpot grew by 6.8%, then another 7.2% since to the current $963 million kitty. This momentum will be easy to sustain if the jackpot continues to grow. The challenge will be sustaining it at the next reset.

Drama-free news from Texas

Brightstar announced Wednesday it has reached agreement on a two-year extension with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to continue providing lottery and technology services in the Lone Star State.

The TDLR took over administrative operations Sept. 1 following the abolishment of the beleaguered Texas Lottery Commission. The extension with Brightstar took effect immediately and runs through Aug, 31, 2028.

“Brightstar has a successful history of supporting the Texas Lottery, and we are pleased that our contract was extended,” said Scott Gunn, Brightstar Chief Operating Officer North America Lottery, in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to work productively with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.”

The TDLR has had little high-profile action since taking over; its biggest news to date was announcing Seven Bridges Revocable Trust of Fredericksburg secured the second winning ticket to the Sept. 6 Powerball drawing.

The state agency inherited a Texas Lotto jackpot that has been rolling over since someone matched all numbers to the Feb. 17 drawing. That was the legally challenged $83.5 million jackpot won and eventually claimed by Kristen Moriarity, which made Texas a national punching bag for lotto shenanigans between the antics of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and multiple resignations from embattled commission members.

There’s a new commish in Cali

The California Lottery has a new commissioner in Ukau Dungca, who was sworn into office by Director Harjinder K. Shergill Chima on Monday. Dungca, who had been a sergeant for the California Highway Patrol since 2022 and an officer since 2009, was appointed to the five-person board by Gov. Gavin Newsom last month.

“We’re so pleased to have Sergeant Dungca as part of the Lottery Commission, and it’s an honor to swear him in today,” Shergill Chima said. “His experience as a law enforcement officer will be invaluable to us as we prioritize the integrity of our games and our draw operation with the utmost security in mind. We look forward to working with him in this role and in support of our mission to raise extra money for public education.”

Dungca’s first meeting in his new capacity will be Thursday at lottery headquarters in Sacramento.

Newsworthy nuggets

Not all lotteries are built the same: Ohio Liquor is running its Autumn Bottle Lottery in which players have a chance to win some hard-to-find bourbon and other spirits. There are 12 bottles to choose from as players can enter all 12 drawings but can win only once.

Subjectively speaking, the biggest prize among the dozen is a 23-year bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve that sells for $500 retail. Buckeye State residents aged 21 years or older can enter through Monday.

There will be some very spoiled grandkids: The Illinois Lottery reported that a woman in Villa Park claimed the final top prize in the $3,000,000 Super Bonus scratch-off. The woman, who wished to remain anonymous and claimed the prize under the pseudonym “Happy Grandma,” bought the $30 scratcher at BP Gas Station, located at 1 West St. Charles Rd. in Villa Park.

“I usually buy the Crossword scratch-off, but something told me to try something different this time,” she told lottery officials. “When I saw the $3 million top prize on the Super Bonus ticket, I just knew it was meant to be. It felt like divine intervention.”

“It’s like a miracle, and it couldn’t have come at a better time,” she added. “A portion of my winnings will help support my son, and I’m already planning for home improvements, holiday gifts, and a cruise for the grandkids. This season is going to be one for the books — full of celebrations and a few spa appointments!”

Who has the biggest active individual state lotto jackpot? The aforementioned Texas Lotto continues to hold sway for the largest state-run lotto jackpot at $78 million, and the cash option has reached $43.6 million.

Michigan remains second as the Lotto 47 has 20.3 million reasons to play Saturday night. With someone in California winning a $14 million jackpot last Saturday, The Pick in Arizona slides up to the No. 3 spot with $11.8 million up for grabs.

Let’s speak a potential impressive double in Ohio this weekend into existence: win the bottle of Pappy and the $10.5 million Classic Lotto. New York completes the top five quintet this week with a best prize of $9.6 million available.

The multi-state Lotto America has a $7 million jackpot Saturday night with a cash option of $3.26 million available.

Until next week, dream big, check your numbers, keep your tickets where you can find them, and play responsibly!