If you love to play the lottery, you should know that there are some great jackpots out there, including one that has been growing ever since it was first introduced. In fact, if you were to take a look at some of the history of the Mega Millions lottery, you would find that it’s been running for over a decade, and has even seen three billion dollar jackpots in its history.
Early state-sponsored lotteries in Europe
There is a lot of debate on the historical significance of early state-sponsored lotteries in Europe. These were popular and helped raise money for public projects. Some countries still use them today. But others have strong objections.
The history of lotteries dates back to ancient times. In ancient Egypt, lottery games were used to assign property rights. Lotteries were also used in the Middle Ages for settlement disputes. They were even used to give away slaves and other property.
In the Middle Ages, some towns used lotteries to build roads, bridges and defenses. Lotteries were also used for commercial promotion. During the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, the popularity of lotteries spread throughout Europe.
In the 18th century, lots of lotteries were held in the United States and around the world. These were funded by a variety of sources.
Multistate lotteries have different odds of winning
The Multistate Lottery Association and their 36 member states have a lot to occupy the good sized portion of your wallet. While there are many forms of gambling to choose from, the best bet is to find out what games are offered by your state of choice and play your cards right. Whether you are into bingo, poker, or simply the chance to rub elbows with the movers and shakers, your state will provide you with ample opportunity for a day of old fashioned fun.
A quick perusal of the state lottery’s website will reveal what you can expect to pay for a ticket, as well as a hefty sum for your efforts. While you might be more likely to play a game of pool or bowl at the local pub, you’ll be able to get in on the action from the comfort of your own home or office.
Powerball has a 10-figure jackpot
Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States. The jackpot is estimated to reach a staggering $1.9 billion.
To play, you must select five white numbers from 1 to 69. The odds of winning are one in 292 million.
If you are lucky enough to match all six numbers, you will win the jackpot. The prize can be claimed within 90 days or so.
One of the hottest lotteries in the world, Powerball is a multistate game played in 45 states and the Virgin Islands. Tickets cost $2. A lucky winner can pick the jackpot and then choose to either take a lump sum payment or get an annuity.
While the actual cash value of the Powerball jackpot is a bit lower than a decade ago, the jackpot has increased 95 times since the beginning of the year.
Mega Millions has had three billion-dollar jackpots
Mega Millions is a lottery game played in 45 states plus DC. Players select five numbers from a matrix of 75 numbers. They are able to win prizes from $2 million to $4 million. Some states have an annuity option that pays out in 30 annual payments.
The Mega Millions drawing takes place every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. Eastern Time. A new ticket costs two dollars. The odds of winning a jackpot are one in 302.6 million.
This is the third billion-dollar jackpot awarded in the history of the game. It has been split three times, most recently in Illinois.
Before the Illinois jackpot, the Mega Millions jackpot had been valued at $1.337 billion. In January 2016, the jackpot reached $1.586 billion.
Scams
The number of lottery scams in the United States is on the rise. It seems that people aged 65 and older are the primary targets. Scammers will often pretend to be government officials or members of the National Sweepstakes Bureau. These fraudsters will use fear tactics to get you to provide them with your personal information.
Lottery scams are also commonly found online. These fraudsters will send you unsolicited messages. However, you can avoid these scams by thinking through the situation and not committing to anything.
One way to prevent these schemes is by educating yourself on the legitimate lottery organizations. Legitimate sweepstakes and lotteries will never ask for payment upfront. Instead, you will only be asked to pay for processing and transportation costs.