Brisk Sales For Mega Millions Tickets As Jackpot Stands At $540 Million
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The Mega Millions jackpot stood at $540 million Friday, as brisk ticket sales fueled the estimated jackpot for the nighttime drawing.
The winning numbers Friday night were 8, 19, 20, 55, 73 and Mega Ball 5.
Friday's drawing was the 35th since Mega Millions had a winner -- the longest rollover stretch in the game's history.
Paula Otto is executive director of the Virginia Lottery and lead director for Mega Millions. She said sales leading up to Friday's drawing exceeded expectations resulting in the jackpot adjustment.
Otto said that since the last winner in March, Mega Millions ticket sales have exceeded $1 billion.
Sales prior to the last drawing on Tuesday night also were higher than expected, at around $107 million. Sales were anticipated to hit $80 million.
Tickets are sold in 43 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Odds of picking the correct numbers on five white balls and one yellow ball in the Mega Millions game are one in 259 million.
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