New York's Mega Millions Jackpot Jumps to $540,000,000

SCHENECTADY, NY (03/29/2012)(readMedia)-- The jackpot for the Friday, March 30 Mega Millions drawing has increased from $500 million to $540 million based on strong sales across all participating Lottery jurisdictions. The bump makes Friday's jackpot the largest single jackpot in Lottery history. The largest Mega Millions jackpot prior to the current record setting jackpot was $390 million; won by players in New Jersey and Georgia in 2007.The largest Mega Millions jackpot paid to a New Yorker to date is $319 million. The jackpot was claimed by a group of state workers from the Capital Region.

About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America's largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing over $3 billion in fiscal year 2010-2011 to help support education in New York State. The Lottery's aid represents over 15 percent of total state education funding to local school districts.

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.

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