The record Mega Millions jackpot: By the numbers

Wishful thinkers in more than 40 states are snapping up tickets, as the top prize reaches an unprecedented $540 million. A statistical look at the game they're playing

Mega Millions tickets
(Image credit: CC BY: Robert S. Donovan)
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Hey, you never know, right? At $540 million, the Mega Millions jackpot has reached an all-time high — setting a world record for any lottery and enticing even snooty naysayers to try their dauntingly terrible odds. The jackpot soared after Tuesday's drawing — which featured a $363 million prize — failed to produce a winner. The gigantic haul could continue to rise before Friday's drawing as more people throw their money into the pot. Here, a numerical guide to the contest that is driving the nation into a frenzy:

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