In a stunning turn of events, the Mega Millions jackpot has surpassed the $1 billion mark after no winning tickets were sold in Friday's drawing. This marks the fifth time in the game's history that the jackpot has reached such a staggering amount. The winning numbers for Friday's estimated $940 million Mega Millions jackpot were 5, 10, 28, 52, and 63, with a Mega Ball of 18. However, there was no immediate word on whether any winning tickets had been sold.

The last time a Mega Millions jackpot winner emerged was on April 18, leaving the grand prize unclaimed for an extended period. In the meantime, at least 46 tickets matching all five white balls, earning a minimum prize of $1 million, have been sold. Mega Millions disclosed that a ticket sold in Pennsylvania matched all five white balls, securing a $5 million prize in Friday's drawing due to the inclusion of a Megaplier, which can multiply non-jackpot winnings up to five times.

The excitement continues to build as the next drawing, scheduled for Tuesday at 11 p.m. Eastern, boasts an estimated jackpot of $1.05 billion. Should a single winning ticket be sold for this immense prize, the lucky individual would face a life-altering decision. They would have the option to receive an estimated lump sum payment of $527.9 million before taxes or choose the annuity option, which includes an immediate payment followed by 29 annual installments that ultimately sum up to the full jackpot amount, minus taxes.

The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot stand at approximately one in 302.58 million, highlighting the incredible rarity of such an achievement. Despite the absence of a jackpot winner in recent months, the game has seen a significant number of tickets matching all five white balls, granting substantial prizes. Alongside the Pennsylvania ticket, at least 41 other tickets have earned their holders a minimum of $1 million.

The Mega Millions lottery has witnessed an impressive history of billion-dollar jackpots. To date, there have been five instances of the jackpot surpassing the remarkable $1 billion threshold. The largest jackpot in Mega Millions history occurred in October 2018, with a single winning ticket sold in South Carolina. In January, a $1.348 billion jackpot was claimed in Maine, adding to the list of record-breaking wins.

Interestingly, the Los Angeles area has experienced a recent streak of lottery luck. Just last week, a ticket sold in downtown Los Angeles secured the $1.08 billion Powerball jackpot, ranking as the sixth-largest in U.S. lottery history. Surprisingly, the winner has yet to come forward and claim their extraordinary prize. Furthermore, the winning ticket for February's $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot, the largest in lottery history, was purchased in Altadena, a city within Los Angeles County.

Mega Millions tickets, priced at $2 each, are available for purchase in all states except Alabama, Utah, Alaska, Hawaii, and Nevada. They are also sold in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Remarkably, half of the proceeds from each ticket sold stay within the state where the sale occurred, aiding various "designated good causes and retailer commissions."

The North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, a trade group representing major lotteries, emphasizes that each state determines which programs receive its lottery profits. For instance, in California, all lottery proceeds contribute to public education, amounting to an estimated $2 billion in the upcoming 2021-22 fiscal year.

As anticipation builds for Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing, the nation eagerly awaits the revelation of the next potential billionaire. With the jackpot soaring to unprecedented heights, dreams of financial freedom and unimaginable possibilities dance in the minds of ticket holders across the country.