Mega Millions jackpot tops $1 billion

() — When the Mega Millions balls are rolling Tuesday night, there will be an estimated $1.1 billion jackpot at stake that has been vacant for nearly three months.

If someone wins Tuesday’s jackpot, they’ll walk away with the third-biggest Mega Millions jackpot in Mega Millions history, the lottery announced in a press release.

It is the fourth time in just over four years that the jackpot has exceeded $1 billion, Mega Millions reported.

The estimated $1.1 billion jackpot (about $568.7 million in cash) is surpassed only by the lottery record of $1.537 million won in South Carolina in 2018 and the $1.337 million prize won in Illinois in July.

Although no one has hit the jackpot so far, there have been other lesser winners. In fact, the game has more than 27 million winning tickets sold since the last jackpot on Oct. 14, including 52 players who have already won $1 million or more, Mega Millions said.

“It’s especially nice to see the jackpot grow over the holidays and into the New Year,” Pat McDonald, principal director of the Mega Millions Consortium, said in the statement. “We are grateful for the support of our customers and retailers, which allows each of our 47 lotteries to generate funds for good causes within their jurisdiction. As the jackpot grows, we encourage our players to maintain their entertainment budget and enjoy this jackpot along with us.”

There have been 24 drawings since the last jackpot was claimed in October, the lottery, which is played in 45 states, Washington and the US Virgin Islands, said.