Texas, USA

The Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots are now almost $2 billion heading to highly-anticipated drawings on Monday (Mar 25) and Tuesday. The jackpot of Powerball stands at an estimated $800 million with a cash option of $384.8 million. In a statement released Sunday, Powerball said that its current jackpot is “quickly climbing the rankings as one of the game’s largest”. Drawing for this lottery is slated for Monday evening.

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On the other hand, Mega Millions is at an estimated $1.1 billion with a cash option of $525.8 million. It’s the fifth largest jackpot in Mega Millions history, with drawings slated for Tuesday.

Tickets available in 45 states

The massive jackpot of $1.9 billion has prompted people all across the US to buy tickets and try their luck. Both Powerball and Mega Millions tickets are sold for $2 across 45 states. The odds of winning the jackpot remain at 1 in 292.9 million.

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“Lottery fever continues to spread throughout the country,” Gretchen Corbin of the Mega Millions Consortium said. Mega Millions said it was “for the sixth time in less than six years” that the jackpot has topped $1bn. If it’s won on Tuesday, it will be “the fifth largest prize in the history of the game.”

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“Large jackpots provide entertainment and winnings for our players nationwide, while contributing to the beneficiary programs funded by each lottery. We appreciate our players and dedicated retailers, and we encourage everyone to play responsibly,” Gretchen Corbin said.

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Where people can buy tickets?

Tickets can be bought in-person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these US states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia.

(With inputs from agencies)