Yahoo News Mega Millions lottery jackpot climbs to $1.6 billion - the largest in US history
A lucky American could walk away with a record-breaking $1.6 billion (£1.2 billion) in prize money during Tuesday night's Mega Millions draw, spreading lottery fever across the US.
It comes after the latest round of the country's lottery draw on Friday night failed to produce a winner.
The total amount has now swelled to an estimated $1.6 billion jackpot for the latest draw, which costs $2 to play.
Should Tuesday produce a winner, it will be the largest prize in US history - and the sum is likely to grow even larger before the draw as excitement around the record-breaking cash prize tempts more people to play.
A few customers waited in line at a news stand in the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City to purchase last-minute tickets. Fernando Chavez, 27, said if he wins he would immediately hire a financial adviser.
"I'd buy a few properties, get my family in order and share with my neighborhood," said Mr Chavez, who lives in Harlem.
The drawing will be held at 11 pm EDT (0300 GMT Wednesday).
Anyone who hits all six numbers to win the jackpot can choose an immediate cash payment of $904 million or receive the $1.6 billion prize over 29 years.
The huge cash prize continues a trend - the second-largest jackpot was a $1.586 billion Powerball drawing on January 13, 2016.
But a note of caution - the chance of matching all six numbers and taking home the grand prize is one in 303 million.
In comparison, the odds of getting killed by a shark are 1 in 3.7 million in a lifetime, according to the International Shark Attack File.
What is more, after federal taxes and state deductions, winners will generally end up with around half that amount in up front cash winnings.
The annuity option guarantees more money, but it is paid over 29 years and also would result in a hefty tax bill.
The Mega Millions jackpot has been growing since July, when a group of California office workers won $543 million.
The strategy seems to be paying off - states have reported that lottery tickets fly out of shops when the top prizes reach gigantic sizes.
In California, for example, people were buying 200 tickets per second during the lunch hour on Thursday.
Tickets sold for Tuesday's drawing are expected to cover 75 percent of all possible number combinations, lottery officials said.
