Mega Millions jackpot climbs to $363 million

Spurred by one of the largest pots in history, the Mega Millions jackpot has ballooned to an estimated $363 million for Tuesday’s drawing, California lottery officials said Monday.

After Friday’s drawing for $290 million came and went without a jackpot winner, officials had projected the pot–-based on ticket sales at the time of drawing–-would grow to $356 million.

On Monday, they upped the figure by $7 million, saying sales have outpaced expectations.

Now for a more sobering number: 1 in 176 million is the odds of winning the game, for which players select six numbers.

The last jackpot winner was drawn Jan. 24, when a 33-year-old Georgia woman won the $72 million pot. She selected the cash option of $52 million.

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Photo: Darren Dhillon, owner of Fairmont Wine & Liquors in Vacaville, Calif, updates the Mega Millions jackpot sign at his checkout counter. Credit: Rich Roach / Associated Press