The odds of winning Powerball and Mega Millions are not in your favor
The odds of winning the jackpot with Mega Millions or Powerball are approximately 1 in 292 million. Here, we will introduce things that are more likely to be obtained than large sums of money.
On Friday night, Nov. 14, winning numbers were drawn in the eighth-largest Mega Millions drawing in history, resulting in a $980 million jackpot. And almost five months later, the game had a big winner.
A Georgia winner matched all six numbers in the Nov. 14 drawing, matching the white balls 1, 8, 11, 12, and 57 with the gold Mega Ball 7, winning an estimated jackpot of $980 million, or a one-time cash payout of $452.2 million. The win was the eighth largest jackpot in Mega Millions history and the largest prize ever won in November.
“$980 million is the largest jackpot ever won since the Mega Millions game was modified in April,” Mega Millions Consortium Principal Director Joshua Johnston said in a news release. “Congratulations to Georgia’s big winners and all the players who are winning more than ever in this new version of the game.”
Mega Millions ticket prices increased to $5 per play in April. Higher prices include built-in multipliers that increase non-jackpot winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x. Previously, in some states, players paid an extra dollar for a multiplier known as a megaplier. A higher starting jackpot is also part of the April changes. The starting jackpot for the next drawing on Tuesday, November 18th is $50 million ($23.1 million cash).
The jackpot is the largest prize since a $1.269 billion prize awarded in California in December 2024.
There were four Mega Millions winners this year. The most recent winner was from Virginia, who won a $348 million jackpot on June 27th. Before that, on April 18th, an Ohio player won a $112 million jackpot. On March 25th, a lucky ticket holder from Illinois took home $344 million, and earlier this year, on January 17th, another winner from Arizona took home $113 million.
Check below to see the winning numbers for the November 14th Mega Millions drawing.
Mega Millions winning numbers for 11/14/25
Winning numbers for Friday, November 14th: 1-8-11-12-57 And the gold mega ball: 7
The lottery winning numbers sponsors are: Jackpocket, USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery delivery company.
Has anyone won at Mega Millions?
yes. One ticket sold in Georgia matched all six numbers in the Nov. 14 drawing, winning an estimated $980 million jackpot. In addition to the Georgia jackpot winner, a Michigan player also won $3 million by matching five white balls with a 3x multiplier.
To view a list of past winners, go to Visit the Mega Millions website.
How to play Mega Millions
To play Mega Millions, you must purchase a ticket. This can be done at a variety of locations, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, you can purchase Mega Millions tickets online.
Once you have your ticket, you have to choose six numbers. Five of them are white balls numbered 1-70. The golden mega ball ranges from 1 to 24.
If you’re feeling particularly unlucky or don’t want to go through the hassle of picking, you can request a “quick pick” or “easy pick.” When you use these options, your computer randomly generates numbers.
Mega Millions tickets have built-in multipliers that increase your non-jackpot prize by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times. Previously, players had to pay an extra dollar to add a “Megaplier”.
Where can I buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased directly at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online Jackpocket, USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery delivery companythe following states and territories of the United States: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to choose your lottery games and numbers, place your order, check your tickets, and claim your winnings, all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to the Jackpocket Service. Must be 18 years or older, 21 years or older in Arizona, 19 years or older in Nebraska. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (ALL OTHERS). visit jackpocket.com/tos Over the entire period.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
