Mega Millions jackpot edges up to $454 million

No ticket matched all six winning numbers on Friday, which meant there was no Fourth of July weekend windfall after 33 consecutive drawings.

The big prize is up to $454 million. The last winning Mega Millions ticket was sold in March for a $157 million jackpot. If there’s no victor Tuesday night, the pot could grow by an additional $50 million.

Be sure to check back Wednesday morning for a full story on the drawing including whether or not anyone won the grand prize.

Lottery officials said the lump-sum payout for the jackpot is $313 million, before taxes.

There has not been a Mega Millions victor since March.

It costs one or two dollars to play but winning Mega Millions could change your life.

The Illinois Lottery is challenging the findings of an audit released May 5 that concluded it had broken the state finance law, but the Auditor General’s office is disputing the department’s claims. I’d move to NY if I won.

Odds are long of hitting – as there is a 1-in-259 million chance of hitting all five numbers plus the Mega-ball. In this option, the jackpot player receives one payment right away, followed by 29 yearly payments. Whichever a victor chooses, do not forget Uncle Sam needs his portion. Each year, the pay is bigger by 5% than the previous year’s pay. The highest-ever Mega Millions jackpot was $656 million, won in 2012. The previous record was 22 rolls in December 2013.

20-41-42-45-49, Mega Ball 14, Megaplier 2x.