Mega Millions Jackpot jumps to $344 million for Tuesday

The New York Lottery has announced the jackpot for Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing has been increased to $344,000,000. The $47,000,000 jump from Friday's advertised jackpot is due to brisk sales across all 44 participating Mega Millions states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The new jackpot marks the fourth largest Mega Millions jackpot in the game's 11-year history since New York joined the game. The jackpot has not been at this level since August 2009 when it was $336 million. The largest Mega Millions jackpot to date was $656 million for the March 30, 2012, drawing. Three players from Illinois, Kansas and Maryland split the jackpot.

If no one matches all five numbers plus the Mega Ball in Tuesday's drawing, the jackpot will continue to grow. Tickets for Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing can be purchased until 10:45 p.m. EST.

The New York Lottery continues to be North America's largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.04 billion in fiscal year 2012-13 to help support education in New York state. The Lottery's contribution represents 15 percent of total state education aid to local school districts. 

New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education. It takes into account both a school district's size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of Lottery school funding.

The New York State Gaming Commission regulates all aspects of gaming and gambling activity in the state, including horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering, class III Indian gaming, video lottery terminal facilities at racetracks, the state lottery and charitable gaming.