Massachusetts Megabucks Jackpot Soars to $17 Million After 40 Years
Massachusetts lottery players are eyeing a massive payday as the “Megabucks” jackpot climbs to an estimated $17 million — the biggest prize the game has seen in 40 years. The cash option currently stands at about $11.44 million ahead of Wednesday night’s drawing.
What makes this even more exciting? The jackpot hasn’t been claimed since April 21, 2025, when a lucky $1.97 million ticket was sold in Boston’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Since then, the prize pool has continued to grow into one of the largest in the game’s history.
Big Highlights
- ? Estimated jackpot: $17 million
- ?? Ticket price: $2
- ? Drawing time: 9 p.m. Wednesday
- ? Drawings happen every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
This current prize now ranks as the fourth-largest jackpot since “Megabucks” first launched back in 1982. It’s also the biggest the game has offered since 1986.
The all-time record still belongs to a $21.7 million jackpot from October 1985, which was shared by eight winning tickets. At that time, it ranked as the third-largest lottery jackpot in the entire U.S.
Meanwhile, the biggest single-ticket win in “Megabucks” history came in September 2022, when one ticket sold in Ware landed a huge $16.35 million payout. Back then, the game was known as “Megabucks Doubler.”
The lottery revamped the game in 2023, adding a third weekly drawing and improving overall payouts. Officials said the changes were designed to give players better odds, larger average jackpots, and stronger non-jackpot prizes.
