Mega Millions winning numbers for January 3 drawing: Jackpot rises to $42 million

The Mega Millions jackpot has grown to $42 million ahead of Friday's drawing, as no one matched the top prize on Tuesday.

The after-tax prize is $18.8 million. The winning numbers will be announced on Friday just after 11 p.m. EST.

The jackpot winner received their check on December 27th, causing the jackpot to be reset to $20 million on Tuesday.

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There were only four Mega Millions winning jackpots in 2024, marking the lowest number of jackpots won in a single calendar year since the lottery game first started in 2002.

Mega Millions lucky numbers for January 3, 2025

Were any participants successful in winning the Mega Millions lottery?

We will be sharing the winners from the competition on Saturday.

Here's how to participate in the Mega Millions lottery:
"Welcome to the Mega Millions game! To play, select five numbers from a pool of 70 and a Mega Ball from a pool of 25."
Here are the basic rules:
1. Choose Your Numbers: Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 70. You can choose these numbers manually or opt for a Quick Pick.
2. Pick a Mega Ball: Choose 1 number from 1 to 25.
3. Add Optional Features: You can add Power Play for a chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes.
4. Set Your Bet: Decide how much you want to spend per ticket.
5. Submit Your Ticket: Make sure to review your ticket carefully before confirming your bet.
6. Check the Draws: Stay tuned for the live draw every Tuesday and Friday. You can check the winning numbers for your state or at the official website.
7. Win Your Share: If you match all 5 white numbers or the Mega Ball, you'll win the grand prize jackpot!
You can purchase tickets online or at a licensed retailer.

To play Mega Millions, purchasing a ticket is required. Tickets are available for purchase at various retail locations such as convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, tickets may also be bought online.

You'll need to choose six numbers in total. Five of these numbers will be between 1 and 70, and will be drawn from white balls. The final number, the Mega Ball, will be drawn from gold balls and can be between 1 and 25.

You can have the computer generate random numbers for you using these options.

For an additional dollar, players can opt-in to double, triple, quadruple, or quintuple their non-jackpot winnings with the "Megaplier." This Powerball add-on is randomly drawn before the six Mega Millions numbers are revealed.

There are a total of Fifteen Megapiler balls.

2X, five balls
3X, six balls
4X, three balls
5X, one ball

Where is it possible to purchase lottery tickets?

Tickets can be bought in person at gas stations, convenience stores, and supermarkets. Some airport terminals may sell lottery tickets.

You can book your tickets via the internet on our official website Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier for the USA TODAY Network. The Jackpocket app lets you select your lottery game and numbers in U.S. states and territories, including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, and West Virginia, as well as Washington, D.C. You can use your phone or home computer to buy tickets, review your choices, and collect any winnings.

Here's the paraphrased text:
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery partner of the USA TODAY Network. This partnership may generate revenue for Gannett through audience referrals to Jackpocket services. To play, you must be at least 18 years old, except in Arizona where the minimum age is 21, and in Nebraska where it's 19. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any statewide lottery. If you have a gambling problem, please contact 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) if you're from New York; 1-800-327-5050 if you're from Massachusetts; 1-877-MYLIMIT if you're from Oregon; 1-800-981-0023 if you're from Puerto Rico; or 1-800-GAMBLER if you're from any other state. Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a prominent news journalist working for USA TODAY. You can contact him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com or keep up with his updates on the social media platform formerly known as X using the handle @fern_cerv_.

This story was first published on USA TODAY