For immediate release: January 4, 2011

For more information, contact: Kelly Thompson, South Dakota Lottery, 605-773-5770

Mega Millions Jackpot fo $355 Million

(PIERRE, SD) - The Mega MIllions jackpot is on the move again. The jackpot has just been raised to $355 million for the Jan. 4, 2011 drawing.

The group that oversees the game yesterday increased the jackpot from $290 million to $330 million for tonight's drawing, and this morning decided to bump it again, from $330 million to $355 million. The cash option now sits at $224.2 million.

The last time the Mega Millions jackpot was at $300 million or higher was in August of 2007. The $314.3 million jackpot was won in Indiana on Aug. 25, 2007. The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1:175,711,536. The game is played in 41 states and the District of Columbia.

Mega Millions tickets for the Jan. 4, 2011 drawing can be purchased at all lotto retailers in South Dakota until 9:00 p.m. CT/8:00 p.m. MT today.