Second largest Mega Millions jackpot hits $1.28 BILLION for draw tonight

What’s the story with the arrowed amount here? Watch the report to find out. VIDEO: FOX 11 Los Angeles

Mega Millions fever is sweeping the country, as ticket buyers across America rush to purchase.

Both regular Mega Millions players and those new to the game are sending the estimated jackpot for tonight’s drawing to a whopping $1.28 billion.

At that record level, it would be the second largest Mega Millions prize in the game’s 20-year history. Tonight’s jackpot has a cash value of $747.2 million.

The Mega Millions drawing time is Friday, July 29 at 11pm ET. The Mega Millions cut off time for buying tickets is 9:45 p.m. Central, on the night of the drawing.

The current record jackpot for Mega Millions is $1.537 billion, won on October 23, 2018.

The still-standing record for the largest Mega Millions jackpot is $1.537 Billion in 2018. That winning ticket was sold in South Carolina, and it remains the world’s largest lottery prize ever won on a single ticket.

“We are thrilled with the opportunity Mega Millions provides to retailers, players and good causes throughout the country,” says Ohio Lottery Director Pat McDonald, current Lead Director of the Mega Millions Consortium.

“The Mega Millions group, and indeed much of the country, look with anticipation for tonight’s drawing.”

Four Mega Millions jackpots have been won to date in 2022, in California, New York, Minnesota and Tennessee.

The jackpots start at $20 million and grow based on game sales and interest rates. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 303 million.