The Mega Millions jackpot has soared to an estimated $1 billion, as the second-largest lottery prize in U.S. lottery history gets even bigger.
The winning numbers were drawn Friday night:
15-23-53-65-70
MEGA: 7
Lottery officials increased the grand prize just hours ahead of the Friday night drawing. The prize climbed from $970 million.
Although the jackpot keeps increasing, the odds of winning remain stuck at a miserable 1 in 302.5 million.
The prize has grown so large because no one has hit the jackpot since July 24, when a group in California won $543 million.
The $1 billion prize refers to the annuity option. Most winners opt for cash, which for Friday night's drawing would be $565 million.
On Friday, customers lined up inside Dunn Food Store in Jacksonville, waiting to buy a ticket.
"Hoping for a big win and millions of dollars," said Laprinzo Banks, who bought a Mega Millions ticket.
The convenience store has sold winning tickets in the past, including a $1 million scratch-off ticket in March.
In St. Augustine, people crowded the Shell gas station on Ponce de Leon Boulevard as they bought tickets.
WATCH: Locals try their luck at a local gas station that has won big before |
Winning numbers drawn for Mega Millions jackpot
"Never hurts to try," said Earl Harper, who bought a Mega Millions ticket. "That lucky one ticket may be the one."
The store has also been lucky for lottery winners in the past. Last year, a woman claimed a $1 million scratch-off prize. The employee who handed her the winning ticket told News4Jax a lot of people choose to buy lottery tickets at the Shell station because of its lucky tickets.
"I think people be winning up here, so I think this is the spot," said Tavis Mitchell, who bought a Mega Millions ticket.
Mehrle Smith also purchased a ticket at the store. He said that, if he wins, he will donate the money to charity and help his family. Although the chance of winning is a long shot, he's hoping the odds are in his favor.
"They say you’re more likely to get struck by lightning, but it happens every day so why not take a chance?" Smith said.
Officials say that if there isn't a winner, the prize for Tuesday night's drawing would be $1.6 billion, tying the largest U.S. lottery prize.