Americans still holding out hope for an extravagant Christmas gift can keep their aspirations alive with the Mega Millions drawing taking place on Friday. The jackpot is estimated to reach a staggering $1.15 billion, positioning it as potentially the fifth-largest prize in the history of the game. Individuals can purchase Mega Millions tickets for just $2 each. However, it’s important to note that the chances of winning the jackpot stand at 1 in 302,575,350, while the overall odds of securing any prize in Mega Millions are 1 in 24, as outlined by lottery officials. Tickets are available in 45 states, as well as in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

To provide perspective on the magnitude of the current jackpot, here’s a summary of the largest jackpots ever won in the U.S. and the states where lucky tickets were purchased:

1. The largest ever was a whopping $2.04 billion from Powerball on November 7, 2022, sold in California.
2. Following that, a $1.765 billion Powerball jackpot was won on October 11, 2023, also with a ticket sold in California.
3. The Mega Millions produced a $1.602 billion jackpot on August 8, 2023, with the ticket coming from Florida.
4. Another substantial Powerball payout, totaling $1.586 billion, occurred on January 13, 2016, with three winning tickets sold across California, Florida, and Tennessee.
5. The Mega Millions also awarded a $1.537 billion jackpot on October 23, 2018, with the ticket purchased in South Carolina.
6. A $1.348 billion prize from Mega Millions was claimed on January 13, 2023, from Maine.
7. Additionally, a $1.337 billion jackpot was awarded on July 29, 2022, with the winning ticket sold in Illinois.
8. Another significant Powerball prize reached $1.326 billion on April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
9. The Mega Millions provided a $1.13 billion payout on March 26, 2024, with the ticket purchased in New Jersey.
10. Finally, a Powerball ticket sold in California won $1.08 billion on July 19, 2023.