At a small convenience store in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana on Tuesday afternoon the crowd gathered was a bit larger than normal for a typical day. Sure, folks were stopping by the Crawfish Capital of the World to get gas, snacks, and fuel, but the majority of the people who were observed in line were there for one reason. They wanted their shot at a life-changing Mega Millions lottery jackpot. 

Google Maps/Google Streetview
Google Maps/Google Streetview
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Mega Millions is one of two multi-state lottery games available for players in Louisiana and Texas. The concept of the game is fairly straightforward. A player chooses five numbers ranging from 1 to 70 (inclusive). They also choose a Mega Ball number. Those balls are numbered between 1 and 25 (inclusive). And, if the numbers on your ticket match the numbers that come out of the Mega Millions hopper during the game's drawing your life will change.

California Joins Mega Millions Lottery
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What Was Tuesday's Mega Millions Jackpot Worth?

Tuesday's (03.19.24) Mega Millions top prize was an estimated $893 million. That's one of the largest Mega Million jackpots that has even been created by the game. Mega Millions has not had a jackpot winner since December of 2023. That is why the prize money is so huge.

If you missed Tuesday's drawing, you can relive the magic.

The numbers revealed in Tuesday's drawing were:

24   46   49   62   66   Mega Ball 7  Megaplier x2

You may verify those numbers at the Official Mega Millions website. And based on what has been confirmed to us by the Louisiana Lottery and the Texas Lottery many of you have valid financial reasons for double-checking the numbers from Tuesday's drawing.

WRALvia YouTube
WRALvia YouTube
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Was There a Mega Millions Winner in Louisiana?

No, there was no jackpot-winning ticket sold in Louisiana for Tuesday's drawing. The state has never produced a Mega Millions jackpot winner on a Louisiana-sold ticket, so when and if it ever happens, it will be a first.

To be honest, last night's Mega Millions drawing was kind of a bust in Louisiana. The largest prize generated by the game in the Bayou State was $1,000. Four tickets earned that prize. Another nine tickets won a prize of $500, while another two dozen tickets matched enough numbers to win $200 bucks in Tuesday's game.

Texas Lottery via YouTube
Texas Lottery via YouTube
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Was There a Mega Millions Winner in Texas?

No, there was no jackpot-winning ticket sold in Texas for Tuesday's drawing. But, there was a one-million-dollar Mega Millions winner sold in Houston, Texas. That big money winner was one of four Match 5 millionaires created by the game on March 19th. The other million-dollar winners were sold in California, Florida, and Virginia.

We should note that the Houston area also had a $1 million winner in Monday's Powerball drawing, so apparently Houston is hot (and humid too) when it comes to big-money lottery wins.

Mega Millions Jackpot Nearly 1 Billion Dollars
Scott Olson, Getty Images
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How Much is the Mega Millions Jackpot Now?

The estimated annuitized jackpot for the game is officially listed at $977 million. Those who prefer the lump sum payout should expect an estimated $461 million.  The next drawing will be on Friday night.

In the meantime, your next chance at life-changing riches will come this evening (Wednesday 03.20.24) during the Powerball drawing. Should you choose to play that game you'll have a chance at an estimated annuitized jackpot of $687 million. The lump sum payout for Powerball is $327.3 million.

USA Mega via YouTube
USA Mega via YouTube
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There are also drawings in Louisiana tonight for Lotto and Easy 5 if you'd like to play a game that offers a little better odds. But please remember, even at their best the odds of winning money in the lottery are very long. Most tickets do not win. So, if you choose to play we suggest you spend only money that you can afford to lose.

If you need help with a gambling problem you may dial 1-877-770-STOP (7867) in Louisiana or 1-800-Gambler in Texas. The calls are free as is the referral to qualified counseling. Good Luck.

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Gallery Credit: Bruce Mikells