The Lotto Matrix: Dixie Doings, Chasing NASCAR, And More

First things first

How much is Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot drawing worth? Our Mega Millions retained “Big Boy” status for another week as two more rollovers has swelled the jackpot to $385 million. That cash option is also starting to look nice at $174.2 million and would be helpful running from Jason Vorhees on this Friday the 13th.

Only one millionaire was minted this week from the two drawings as a ticket sold in Minnesota provided a $3 million windfall by matching the five non-Mega Ball numbers. Sixteen players, however, had tickets containing four numbers and the Mega Ball. That resulted in $480,000 in payouts.

Estimated ticket sales remained north of $6 million for each drawing, and the last three have provided an estimated 270,000 winners apiece.

How much is Saturday’s Powerball jackpot drawing worth? Powerball continued its climb to be a “Big Boy” as three rollovers contributed to a $126 million jackpot for Saturday night. There is a $57.8 million cash option available, which is a 60% increase from the $36.2 million instant payment for the Feb. 7 drawing.

The first four drawings of February have seen at least one ticket match all five non-Powerball numbers, with Oregon becoming the third state to have more than one such winner in 2026. Wednesday night’s drawing also had nine tickets sync up four numbers and the Powerball, and with three players ticking off the power play box, those paid out $250,000 from the 5x multiplier.

Estimated ticket sales over the week were strongest for Monday night’s drawing at close to $12.8 million with more than 514,000 winners. Drawings held last Saturday night and Wednesday night looked to have generated just over $8 million apiece in ticket sales.

Breakaway Tide

Last week, the Lotto Matrix detailed the efforts of Alabama lawmakers to legalize the lottery as part of a large-scale gambling expansion to the Heart of Dixie. State Rep. Phillip Ensler on Wednesday submitted what amounts to legislation designed solely to legalize the lottery.

Ensler, a Democrat also running for lieutenant governor, would give Alabama voters the opportunity to legalize the lottery via state referendum. He estimated a state lottery could generate up to $300 million in annual revenue, which would be split among public education, health care, and rebate checks for Alabama residents.

Ensler submitted two bills Thursday, with HB 448 first establishing the Alabama Lottery and Alabama Lottery Corporation to administer the lottery. It would also authorize sales on tribal grounds as part of the state compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians should voters pass the amendment. HB 449 would authorize the Alabama Lottery Corporation to regulate revenue distribution and increase criminal penalties for gambling offenses.

The push to legalize the lottery is one of Ensler’s primary campaign planks along with eliminating the sales tax on groceries and a renewal of the tax exemption on overtime pay.

Lottery courier ban gets first hearing in Maryland

The Maryland House Ways and Means Committee heard pros and cons about allowing lottery couriers in the state Thursday, when HB 371 got its first committee hearing. There was no vote, but witnesses opposed to the bill testified that allowing the couriers could potentially result in a “loss of in-person lottery sales and alcohol sales” at convenience or liquor stores.

In addition, an anti-gambling witness said introducing couriers that could be contacted online would “attract a younger demographic and others at high risk” for gambling addiction as well as those who cannot or do not drive. Proponents pointed to increased lottery sales, which would result in additional funding for state programs.

Lottery couriers currently operate legally in about 10 U.S. jurisdictions, and are unregulated in others. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick last year set his sites on banning lottery couriers from his state, and the Texas Lottery did so in April. 

Contributed by Jill R. Dorson

Buckle up for Powerball and NASCAR

Powerball and NASCAR announced Wednesday a new game that will give players the opportunity to win cash prizes up to $1 million. NASCAR Powerball – The Chase to $1 Million will take place during The Chase, NASCAR’s season-ending series of races that determine its annual champion.

The promotion will culminate with four semifinal winners who will each receive a VIP trip for two to Miami for the final race of the year Nov. 6-8. One of those finalists will claim the $1 million grand prize.

“The recent changes to NASCAR’s championship format gave us an incredible opportunity to reimagine this winning experience for our players,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “This is a chance to enjoy an all-new VIP destination for Championship Weekend and collect cash prizes throughout The Chase – just like sport’s top drivers collect points.”

Lottery players can enter the Powerball promotion through their respective participating lotteries. Those states will also hold promotions and second-chance drawings throughout the 2026 NASCAR season, and then each state will submit one semifinalist, who receives a $2,000 prize for being selected.

Each time a semifinalist advances following a race, they receive an additional cash prize. The third drawing reveals the four finalists who will take their talents to South Beach for a shot at $1 million.

Newsworthy Nuggets

Ain’t no bond like a sibling bond: Siblings Ivan Barrett and Beverly Berryman long ago made a promise that they would split any large lottery win. Turns out, a $200,000 prize won by Berryman at the Prince Mart in Sanford, N.C., was indeed a large enough win to split 50-50.

“We always had a pact between us,” Barrett told North Carolina lottery officials.

“I was like, ‘You can’t believe this,’” added Berryman, who played the $5 Cash King scratch-off. “I had to show it to him.”

The two each took home $72,011 after required state and federal tax withholdings. It was the second of the four $200,000 top prizes claimed for Cash King.

The best kind of error you could make: An Avon Lake man in Ohio mistakenly added autopick tickets to his usual purchase covering seven days playing the Rolling Cash 5 lottery. One of those autopick lines delivered, giving him the grand prize of $291,000.

The man, who described himself as “delirious with joy but incoherent” to Ohio Lottery officials, banked $213,165 after federal and state tax withholding. Another of the autopick lines matched three numbers, giving him an extra $10.

Where is the biggest active individual state lotto jackpot? Since none of last week’s top five state-run lotteries had a grand prize winner, may the Lotto Matrix suggest some quick picks for your love in these select states heading into this weekend?

California and Texas remain a runaway 1-2 with $28 million and $22.75 million, respectively. The Lone Star State, however, is inching closer to first for the cash option. That is $12.6 million compared to Cali’s $12.9 million. The Hoosier Lotto in Indiana occupies the final podium spot for the second straight week at $13.5 million, again followed by Massachusetts ($11.9 million) and Oregon ($8.7 million).

The multi-state Lotto America, meanwhile, has a drawing Saturday night worth $15.45 million. The winner can opt for the $7.08 million cash option.

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