Mega Millions jackpot reaches record amount

UNITED STATES – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Mega Millions is going uptown! The March 6, 2007 Mega Millions drawing will be held in Times Square, in the heart of New York City. There are 355 million reasons why: the massive $355 million estimated jackpot for Tuesday's drawing is the largest in the game's history.

Lottery officials in all 12 Mega Millions states agreed to move the drawing from it's traditional home in Atlanta because of the historic nature of the drawing. New York Lottery icon Yolanda Vega will draw the winning numbers at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 10:00 p.m. Central Time and 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

The estimated jackpot was raised from $340 million to $355 million on Monday because of heavier than expected sales in all Mega Millions states.

The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 176 million. The odds of winning any of the Mega Millions prizes are approximately 1 in 40. Mega Millions features nine different prize levels, ranging from $2 all the way up to the jackpot. Players can win even if they just match one number -- the Mega Ball number.

Mega Millions is played in California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington.