New York's Mega Millions jackpot jumps to $353 million for Friday

New York has had lucky St. Patrick's Day jackpot history with Mega Millions

The New York Lottery today announced the jackpot for Friday's Mega Millions drawing has been increased to $353,000,000. The $44,000,000 jump from Tuesday's advertised jackpot is due to brisk sales across all 44 participating Mega Millions states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"In March 2009 and 2011, New York had a Mega Millions jackpot winner close to St. Patrick's Day. We are hopeful that our lucky St. Patrick's Day history with Mega Millions will continue for this year as well," said Gardner Gurney, acting director of the Division of the Lottery. "Also, it's not just the top jackpot prize, March is lucky for New Yorkers as nearly 100 Mega Millions players have won $1,000,000 or more during the month of March from 2009 to 2014."

Past Mega Millions winners who won the jackpot close to St. Patrick's Day include Isabel Zelaya of Wyandanch (Suffolk County), who won $26,000,000 on the March 13, 2009, drawing; and a group of New York state workers called the "Albany 7," who won $319,000,000 on the March 25, 2011, drawing.

"At $353,000,000, more than these two jackpots combined, someone could have a very memorable month of March in 2014," Gurney said.

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