Mega Millions Jackpot Soars To $400 Million After No Winning Numbers Match

The Mega Millions jackpot has reached $400 million after the winning numbers found no winner on Friday.

The jackpot is now the third-largest in the game’s history and sixth largest in the history of the United States, behind two Mega Millions and three Powerball jackpots.

The game has had a number of huge jackpots lately, including a $648-million jackpot split between winners in Atlanta and California. The prize was the second-largest in the game’s history.

The Mega Millions jackpot would have an estimate cash value of $224.8 million, lottery officials said.

Large jackpots are no coincidence. In October the lottery announced a series of changes meant to make the game a bit more challenging but also drive up jackpots even larger. The initial jackpot jumped to $15 million from $12 million, while the annuity payout increased to 30 years from 26 years.

Officials also added the number of balls in the jackpot, to 75 from 56, making odds of winning jump to 1 in 176 million (it had been 1 in 259 million before).

While it became harder to win the big jackpot, Mega Millions players found it easier to win any prize. The odds improved to 1 in 15, in part because the Mega number field now has just 15 balls, down from 46 previously.

The game is played in 43 states plus Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The next Mega Millions drawing will be held Tuesday.