The Mega Millions jackpot continues to grow, reaching an estimated $139 million for the next drawing after no ticket matched all six numbers in Friday’s $122 million draw. The winning numbers for May 16, 2025, were 2, 22, 42, 62, 66, with a Mega Ball of 14, but the top prize went unclaimed, pushing the jackpot higher for Tuesday’s draw. While no one snagged the grand prize, several players still walked away with significant winnings, thanks to the game’s new built-in multiplier feature.

The May 16 drawing, held at 11 p.m. ET, saw no tickets match all five white balls plus the Mega Ball, a feat with odds of 1 in 290,472,336. Zero tickets hit the second-tier prize of $2 million to $10 million for matching five white balls, which varies based on the randomly assigned multiplier (2X to 10X) included with every $5 ticket. However, smaller prizes kept the excitement alive. In California, where prizes are pari-mutuel, a ticket matching four white balls and the Mega Ball won $14,987, according to the California Lottery. Across the country, players who matched the Mega Ball alone pocketed between $10 and $50, depending on their multiplier, a step up from the old $2 minimum.

This marks the fourth consecutive draw without a jackpot winner since an Ohio player claimed $112 million on April 18. The last big win before that was a $344 million jackpot in Illinois on March 25, one of three Mega Millions jackpots claimed in 2025. The growing prize has players buzzing, with posts on social media calling it “life-changing money” and urging others to “check your tickets!” The game’s recent changes, introduced on April 8, have fueled interest: tickets now cost $5, include a multiplier at no extra cost, and offer better odds (1 in 23 for any prize) after reducing Mega Ball numbers from 25 to 24.

The Mega Millions frenzy isn’t new. Since its start as The Big Game in 1996, it’s grown into one of America’s biggest lotteries, played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. New York and California have seen the most winners, but jackpots have been hit nationwide, like the $1.58 billion prize in Florida in 2023. Players pick five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball from 1 to 24, or opt for Quick Pick to let the machine choose. Tickets must be bought by 10:45 p.m. in most states, though New York’s cutoff is 10 p.m.

The lack of a winner has sparked chatter about strategy. Some players stick to “lucky” numbers, while others trust Quick Pick, which generates random combinations. “I always play my kids’ birthdays, but maybe I should switch it up,” one social media user posted. Retailers report brisk sales, especially at gas stations and convenience stores, where lines form before the Tuesday and Friday draws. Online ticket sales through platforms like Jackpocket, available in states like New Jersey and Texas, are also surging, though winners must claim prizes in the state of purchase.

Economically, the lottery’s impact is massive. In California alone, 95 cents of every dollar goes to schools, colleges, prizes, and retailers, per the state lottery’s website. Nationally, Mega Millions has paid out billions, with the top prize often splitting among multiple winners—like the $1.586 billion Powerball shared by three tickets in 2016. But the odds haven’t deterred dreamers. “Even if it’s a long shot, $139 million is worth a $5 ticket,” said Maria Gonzalez, a cashier at a Chicago 7-Eleven.

Critics, however, point to the lottery’s regressive nature, noting that lower-income players spend a higher share of their income on tickets. A 2019 study found that lotteries can exacerbate inequality, with one social media user calling it “a tax on hope.” Still, the allure persists, especially with jackpots this size. Winners face a choice: a cash option of about $62.3 million for Tuesday’s draw or an annuity paid over 30 years, with payments rising 5% annually to offset inflation. Taxes, both federal and state, can take a hefty chunk, and financial advisors urge winners to plan carefully.

The next drawing, set for Tuesday, May 20, at 11 p.m. ET, has players on edge. With no cap on how high the jackpot can climb, it could swell further if no one wins. For now, ticket holders from Friday’s draw have 180 days to claim smaller prizes—or a year for the jackpot, if it had been won. As the pot grows, so does the anticipation, with players across the country checking numbers and dreaming big. Whether Tuesday brings a new millionaire or another rollover, Mega Millions is keeping the nation on its toes.