NEW YORK – The Mega Millions jackpot continues to rise, rising to $825 million in Friday’s drawing.

A win at this level would be the largest December win and the seventh largest jackpot in Mega Millions history.

The jackpot has grown since September 10, when it was last won in Texas with $810 million. No ticket matched the winning numbers from the most recent drawing, although Tuesday’s drawing produced several million-dollar winners.

Five lottery players wake up on Wednesday as new millionaires. Tickets sold in California, Louisiana and Oklahoma had all five white ball numbers correct, netting their owners a million dollars. A ticket sold in North Carolina brought in $4 million because of the “Megaplier” option, which was four times that amount on Tuesday.

Only three Mega Millions jackpots have been won so far this year, including a $1.1 billion winning ticket purchased in New Jersey in March. This prize is still unclaimed. Winners in New Jersey have one year to claim their winnings. The highest Mega Millions jackpot ticket – $1.6 billion – was sold in Florida in August last year.

The winning numbers for Tuesday’s drawing were: 56-66-67-68-69 − 18 MegaBall, with 4x MegaPlier.

If a winner matches all five numbers and the Mega Ball, they have the option of having the entire jackpot paid out as a pension over 30 years, or a lump sum cash payout of around half. Winners almost always choose the cash option.

Players who match only the first five numbers win at least $1 million.

Mega Millions drawings take place on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

1. $1.602 billion – August 8, 2023 – Florida
2. $1.537 billion – October 23, 2018 – South Carolina
3. $1.348 billion – January 13, 2023 – Maine
4. $1.337 billion – July 29, 2022 – Illinois
5. $1.128 billion – March 26, 2024 – New Jersey
6. $1.050 Billion – January 22, 2021 – Michigan
7. $825 million (estimated) – December 20, 2024
8. 810 million dollars – September 10, 2024 – Texas
9. $656 million – March 30, 2012 – Kansas/Illinois/Maryland
10. $648 million – December 17, 2013 – California/Georgia
11. $552 million – June 4, 2024 – Illinois