(NewsGlobal.com)- After another drawing without a winner, the Mega Millions jackpot updated last week reaching a whopping $640 million, according to Newsmax. After the 21st consecutive drawing, still, no one could match six numbers in a row to be declared the winner.
The recent jackpot comes months after the largest jackpot of $2.04 billion was won playing Powerball on November 8 in California. The winner has still not claimed his prize.
The large odds reportedly ensure that there are few winners in the game. The longer it takes for someone to win, the larger the jackpot grows because more money is added. Winning the Mega Millions jackpot is reportedly one in 302.6 million.
The jackpot is advertised to be paid to a winner with an annuity, which is a sum of money every month. However, most winners opt for the cash option where they receive the lump sum minus taxes. The cash option for Friday’s drawing will be $328.3 million.
Mega Millions is reportedly played in 45 states, including Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah do not participate because they do not have state lotteries and so they do not sell multi-state lotteries.
Each state has its reasons for doing so. Alabama does not sell lottery tickets for religious reasons as gambling is seen as wrong. Rumors have been circulating since 2016 that the state will adopt the lottery system because they are strapped for cash.
Utah’s reason is also religious.
The state’s predominant religion is Mormon and reportedly wrote on its church website that “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is opposed to gambling, including lotteries sponsored by governments.” The state’s constitution also prohibits all other forms of gambling.
As for Alaska, the state revisited the decision to implement a lottery system in 2015 but ultimately decided against it as it would hurt state-sponsored charitable gaming like bingo and dog musher contests.
