This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-us-canada-17553329

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Record Mega Millions jackpot tops $540m Record Mega Millions jackpot tops $540m
(about 3 hours later)
The prize in a US lottery has reached a record-breaking $540m (£340m), making it the biggest lottery jackpot in history, organisers say.The prize in a US lottery has reached a record-breaking $540m (£340m), making it the biggest lottery jackpot in history, organisers say.
The size of the Mega Millions jackpot has been growing since late January, with the latest chance to win due on Friday. The size of the Mega Millions jackpot has been growing since 24 January, with no winner matching all five numbers in the last 18 draws.
Local US media have reported queues of people waiting to buy tickets to earn their shot at winning the giant prize.Local US media have reported queues of people waiting to buy tickets to earn their shot at winning the giant prize.
A total of 42 US states sell tickets for the draw.A total of 42 US states sell tickets for the draw.
Tickets cost just $1, but for a sole winner, the maximum instant cash payout would be smaller, at something under $400m. The big draw takes place on Friday at 23:00 EDT (04:00 GMT).
If the winner wanted to take the whole jackpot they would have to accept the prize in 26 annual instalments. A jackpot winner could choose between receiving the full amount of $540m in 26 annual payments - nearly $21m a year - or an instant cash option of almost $400m.
The largest jackpot to be paid out until now was a $390m Mega Millions prize that was split between two winners in 2007.The largest jackpot to be paid out until now was a $390m Mega Millions prize that was split between two winners in 2007.
Despite the growing lottery fever, the chances are still stacked against any one person winning the six-ball jackpot.Despite the growing lottery fever, the chances are still stacked against any one person winning the six-ball jackpot.
Lottery officials say the chance of winning is just one-in-176 million, href="http://abcnews.go.com/Business/mega-millions-strategies-chance-leading-jackpot/story?id=16020106#.T3SZbGPP7HA" >ABC News reports. Lottery officials say the chance of winning is just one-in-176 million. Tickets cost just $1.
Mathematics professor Mike Catalano of Dakota Wesleyan University told the Associated Press news agency: "You are about 50 times as likely to get struck by lightning as to win the lottery, based on the 90 people a year getting struck by lightning.
"Of course, if you buy 50 tickets, you've equalised your chances of winning the jackpot with getting struck by lightning."
Based on other US averages, a person is 8,000 times more likely to be murdered, or 20,000 times more likely to die in a car accident than to win the lottery, Mr Catalano added.