The Lotto Matrix: We Have A Winner! (And Other News)

First things first

How much is Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot drawing worth? Mega Millions has attained “Big Boy” status with a $266 million jackpot up for grabs. The cash option is also a nine-figure sum at $120.8 million.

The new year has seen little in the way of top second-tier prizes. The two $2 million prizes awarded for tickets that matched five numbers without the Mega Ball in North Carolina and Texas last Friday night are the only ones spanning the last four drawings. The first six Mega Millions drawings of ’26 have seen only four such tickets, which have paid out a combined $11 million.

Last week’s two drawings provided $540,000 in payouts for players who synced up four numbers and the Mega Ball. Two tickets had the 10x multiplier, resulting in a pair of $100,000 payouts. Estimated ticket sales for each drawing held steady between $5.3 million and $5.5 million per drawing.

How much is Saturday’s Powerball jackpot drawing worth? There has been a reset to the base $20 million jackpot for Powerball after someone in North Carolina won the $209 million grand prize Wednesday night. Per state lottery officials, the winning ticket was sold in Roanoke Rapids, which is approximately 10 miles south of the Virginia state line.

The winner has the option of receiving 29 annual payments or a one-time, lump-sum payment of $95.3 million. It is the sixth time a Powerball winner has hailed from the Tar Heel State and first since Charles W. Jackson of Raleigh won $344.6 million in June 2019.

“First we want to say a big congratulations to the lucky winner on this life-changing moment,” said Mark Michalko, CEO of the N.C. Education Lottery. “We are thrilled that the win occurred in North Carolina. Our advice to the winner is to sign the ticket to establish your ownership of it and secure it in a safe place. We can’t wait to meet the big winner so we can celebrate this momentous occasion with them.”

Estimated Powerball ticket sales have averaged nearly 11.5 million through the first nine drawings of 2026, with three of the last four topping 10 million.

Woo rich piggy!

The Arkansas Powerball player who had perhaps the best Christmas of anyone in the world claimed their jackpot Thursday from the $1.8 billion drawing held Dec. 24.

The winner, who wished to remain anonymous, opted for the one-time, lump-sum payment of $834.9 million. The $1.8 billion jackpot was the second-largest in both Powerball and U.S. history, ending a record run of 46 consecutive draws without a winner.

“Everyone was anxiously waiting for the winner to step forward, but we are happy they took the time to seek legal counsel and financial advice first, as we recommended. We are thrilled that the winner is from Arkansas!” said Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Executive Director Sharon Strong. “We’re proud to celebrate this moment, not only for our Arkansas winner and for Murphy USA, the Arkansas-based company that sold the winning ticket, but also for the positive impact this historic jackpot will have on our state and our mission to raise funds for in-state scholarships.”

The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery reported that Powerball generated $15 million worth of in-state ticket sales during that 47-drawing jackpot cycle. Murphy USA in Cabot received a $50,000 commission for selling the winning ticket.

TheLotter to exit New York

Courier service TheLotter announced Tuesday it will no longer operate in New York effective next Thursday, ending a short-lived run in the Empire State.

TheLotter called leaving New York a “difficult decision,” but noted it would allow the courier to better allocate resources and strengthen its presence in Arizona, Minnesota, and Oregon, as well as prepare for launches in additional markets. It received a license to operate in New York from the state’s gaming commission last year.

“While we are proud to have served players in New York, this strategic shift enables us to focus on markets where we can grow more efficiently and deliver the best possible experience,” said Jessica Griggs, head of marketing for The Lotter US. “By concentrating our efforts, we’re positioning ourselves for sustainable expansion across the country.”

Scientific Games adds to European portfolio

Scientific Games announced Tuesday it was selected as the digital partner to Lotteries Entertainment Innovation Alliance (LEIA), comprised of lotteries held in Denmark, France, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

Over the course of the two-year deal, Scientific Games will provide “digital games projects to LEIA based on strategic initiatives determined by the Alliance,” and develop “bespoke games” to specific LEIA markets.

“Scientific Games is a long-time, trusted business partner to the individual lotteries in the alliance, providing a broad portfolio of products and services. We’re thrilled to further extend our collaboration through this strategic digital partnership with LEIA, helping these lotteries expand their reach, engage new audiences and continue shaping the future of lottery entertainment,” said Matt Lynch, president of digital for Scientific Games.

Newsworthy nuggets

A wise reinvestment: A group of co-workers in Independent, Ohio, often pool their money together to play Powerball. The group of 29 won $8 on the Dec. 17 drawing and used those modest winnings toward a $10 ticket the following drawing Dec. 20.

That paid off in handsome fashion as they matched five numbers to claim $1 million. After federal and state taxes, the group will split $732,500, which comes out to nearly $25,260 per person.

Feeling peachy keen in Georgia: A Georgia Lottery player won the $4 million top prize from the 200X The Money scratch-off. The winner, who wished to remain anonymous, purchased the ticket at the Kips Package Store in Griffin, which is approximately 40 miles south of Atlanta.

The winner bucked 1 in 1.6 million odds taking the top prize from the $25 scratcher. That was the second of the three top prizes available for 200X The Money, which was launched last Aug. 19.

Who has the biggest active individual state lotto jackpot? California continues to hold sway for the nation’s biggest state-run jackpot at $22 million, with Saturday’s drawing also offering a $9.9 million cash option.

Florida slides into the second spot at $18.25 million, with Texas close behind at $17.75 million. The Lone Star State’s cash option is a robust $9.71 million.

New Jersey and Illinois flip spots to complete the top five this week, with the Garden State at $12.3 million and the Land of Lincoln $11.6 million after neither jackpot was claimed Thursday night. Massachusetts continues to stalk the quintet, offering $11 million for Saturday night.

The multi-state Lotto America has a drawing Saturday with a $13.56 million jackpot, and the winner can opt for the $6.17 million cash option.

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