A Mega Millions ticket purchased in Missouri recently came tantalizingly close to claiming the $162 million jackpot, netting its holder a substantial $1 million prize, the Missouri Lottery confirmed. The ticket matched all five winning numbers drawn but missed the Mega Ball in the July 5th drawing. The next jackpot, estimated at $181 million with a cash option of about $84.3 million, awaits the next drawing on July 9th.
The winning numbers for the draw were 6, 15, 32, 54, and 67, with the Mega Ball number being 4, and a Megaplier of 3. Additionally, tickets sold in Massachusetts and Tennessee also secured $1 million prizes, according to lottery officials. Over 7,000 other tickets sold in Missouri yielded prizes ranging from $2 to $500.
The Mega Millions jackpot has remained unclaimed since June 4th, when an Illinois player snagged a massive $552 million prize. Achieving the Mega Millions jackpot requires matching all five white balls and the gold Mega Ball, with odds of winning set at 1 in 302,575,350. Tickets, costing $2 each, are available for purchase up until the drawing time, which varies by state. Drawings occur every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET and can be streamed online. Mega Millions is widely played across 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
