LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The excitement for tonight’s $1.1 billion Mega Millions jackpot continues to grow throughout Michigan.
Officials with the Michigan Lottery say as of 11:00 a.m., Michigan players have purchased 4.5 million tickets at retailers for tonight’s drawing, with more than 900,000 of those tickets bought today. On average, players have been buying about 129,000 tickets at retailers per hour today.
There is a 10:45 p.m. deadline for players to buy tickets for tonight’s drawing at retailers and online at www.MichiganLottery.com.
The $1.1 billion Mega Millions jackpot is the thirds largest jackpot in U.S. history. The No. 1 jackpot was a $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot won by three players (California, Florida, Tennessee) on Jan. 13, 2016. That jackpot also holds the world record for the largest lottery jackpot.
The growing Mega Millions jackpot is providing a boost to the state School Aid Fund and local businesses. For every $1 spent on Lottery roughly 61 cents goes to prizes, 28 cents goes to the School Aid Fund, 9 cents goes to retailer and vendor commissions, and 2 cents is used for Lottery operations.
Lottery retailers earn a 6% commission on all Lottery sales, and a 2% commission on all prizes players redeem at their location. If a Michigan retailer sells the jackpot winning ticket for tonight’s Mega Millions drawing, they will receive a $50,000 bonus commission.
