Mega Millions jackpot climbs over $200 million

By MIKE MORRIS

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The jackpot for Friday’s Mega Millions drawing climbed to $207 million after no players matched all six numbers in Tuesday night’s game.

One ticket sold in Georgia matched the first five numbers drawn Tuesday night -- 4, 5, 26, 37 and 56 -- but missed on the Mega Millions ball, which was 25. That player won $250,000.

“Large jackpots are very exciting for Georgians,” Georgia Lottery Corp. president and CEO Margaret DeFrancisco said before Tuesday night’s $170 million drawing. “Jackpots of this size provide entertainment for players and an opportunity to raise additional dollars for the educational programs we fund.”

The jackpot for the multi-state lottery has been growing since July 7, when a player from New York won $133 million.

Mega Millions is also played in Virginia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, California and Washington state.

Since the game began seven years ago, there have been 92 jackpot winners, with 11 of the jackpot-winning tickets being sold in Georgia.