Mega Millions Jackpot Rises to $212 Million

UNITED STATES – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Spurred by a mega-exciting jackpot, Mega Millions sales have outpaced the forecast of Mega Millions officials. So those officials have increased the estimated jackpot for the Friday, February 24, 2006 drawing from $203 million to $212 million.

The estimated jackpot is based on sales up to the time of the drawing. So the adjusted jackpot is an indication that Mega Millions players from coast to coast are feeling the excitement. In the most recent drawing, in which there was no jackpot winner, more than 1.2 million tickets won Mega Millions prizes.

This jackpot has been building since January 6, when Mega Millions had its most recent jackpot winner. The jackpot has now rolled 13 times without a winner. The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately one in 176 million.

Mega Millions is played in 12 states: California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 PM Eastern Time, 10:00 PM Central Time and 8:00 PM Pacific Time.