Mega Millions player wins $3 million as jackpot leaps to $1.1 billion

The Mega Millions drawing on Friday, March 22, 2024, saw a total of 72,413 winning tickets in Virginia. However, several winners stood out among the others because one ticket was worth $3 million, and three others were worth $10,000.

The winning numbers for Friday's drawing were 3, 8, 31, 35, 44, and Mega Ball number 16. The Megaplier was 3X. The $3 million ticket matched the first five numbers. The only number it missed was the Mega Ball number. Typically, the ticket would have won $1 million, but the player chose the Megaplier option, which tripled the prize.

The lucky winner purchased the ticket online.

Other big Virginia Mega Millions wins for the March 22 drawing

The three $10,000 Virginia winning tickets were purchased from:

• Route 1 BP, located at 2307 Emancipation Highway in Fredericksburg
• Loehmann Plaza Exxon, located at 7269 Arlington Boulevard in Falls Church
• Meridian Deli, located at 1201 Braddock Place in Alexandria

$1 million Mega Millions winners in other states

Virginia wasn't the only lucky state in the March 22 Mega Millions drawing. Players won $1 million in several other states:

• Texas
• California
• Illinois
• Nebraska
• Florida

Mega Millions jackpot passes $1 billion

None of the tickets purchased in the Old Dominion State or anywhere else matched all six numbers in that drawing, which means that the jackpot for Tuesday, March 26, will reach an estimated $1.1 billion. Mega Millions drawing are held each Tuesday and Friday night at 11 p.m. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350.

How to play Mega Millions

Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery draw game with a cost of $2 per game. To play, choose six numbers from 1 to 70 and one number from 1 to 25 for the Mega Ball number. If you prefer not to choose your own numbers, you can choose the Quick Pick option, and the computer will generate random numbers for you. You win a Mega Millions prize by matching two or more of your numbers to the winning numbers.

If you wish, in most states, you can also add a Megaplier option for $1 extra. The Megaplier can increase your winnings by 2X, 3X, 4X, or 5X. The Megaplier is drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesdays and Fridays. To win the Mega Millions jackpot, you must match all five white balls and the Mega Ball.

How the lottery helps Virginia

All of the profits from the Virginia Lottery revenue go to support K-12 education. In 2023 alone, the Virginia Lottery raised more than $867 million for public education throughout the state. This amounts to 10 percent of the state's total K-12 school budget.