You're standing in line at the gas station. Maybe you're just there for a coffee or a pack of gum, but then you see it. The neon sign is flashing a number so big it doesn't even feel like real money anymore. Honestly, we’ve all been there. You start thinking about what you’d do with a few hundred million. Quit the job? Buy that weirdly expensive house on the hill? Basically, the dream starts the second you look at the screen.
If you’re wondering what is the current lotto jackpot right now, the numbers are shifting as we speak.
As of Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to an estimated $215 million. If you're more of a Powerball person, that one is sitting at a cool $156 million for the next drawing. It’s not "record-breaking" in the sense of those billion-dollar headlines we saw a few years back, but let’s be real—if you won $200 million today, your life would be unrecognizable by dinner time.
The Mega Millions climb and why it matters
Mega Millions is currently the "big" one on the board. The last drawing on Friday, January 9, didn't produce a grand prize winner. The numbers were 12, 30, 36, 42, 47, and the Mega Ball was 16. Because nobody hit the whole thing, the pot rolled over.
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The cash option for the current $215 million prize is about **$98.3 million**.
People often forget the difference between the "annuity" (the big number on the billboard) and the "cash" (what you actually get if you want the money today). Taking the lump sum means you’re walking away with less than half of the advertised jackpot before taxes even touch it. Uncle Sam is going to take a massive bite—usually 24% off the top for federal withholding, and likely more when you file your returns.
Depending on where you live, like if you're in New York or Maryland, the state is going to want their cut too. Florida or Texas? You're in luck. No state tax on lottery winnings there.
When is the next drawing?
The Mega Millions draw happens tonight, Tuesday, January 13, at 11:00 p.m. ET. Most states stop selling tickets about an hour or two before the balls start spinning, so don't wait until 10:55 p.m. to run to the store.
Powerball is holding steady at $156 million
Powerball had a drawing just last night, Monday, January 12. No one hit the jackpot. The winning numbers were 5, 27, 45, 56, 59, and the Powerball was 4.
Even though nobody won the big one, someone in Florida is waking up a lot richer today. A single ticket matched all five white balls but missed the Powerball, which is worth a flat $1 million. That’s the "consolation prize" everyone actually wants.
The next Powerball drawing is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
The estimated jackpot is $156 million, with a cash value of $70.5 million.
What most people get wrong about the "current" jackpot
Look, we all know the odds are astronomical. You’ve got a 1 in 292.2 million chance of hitting the Powerball. You’re more likely to be struck by lightning while being eaten by a shark. Okay, maybe not that bad, but it’s close.
One thing people get wrong is the "hot numbers" myth. You’ll see people studying charts of which numbers have been drawn most lately. In the January 12 Powerball draw, the number 5 appeared. Does that mean it's "hot" and will appear again Wednesday? Or is it "cold" because it just showed up?
The truth is the machines don't have a memory. Each drawing is a totally independent event. Whether 5 was drawn last night or hasn't been seen in three years, its chance of appearing on Wednesday is exactly the same.
The "Quick Pick" vs. Manual Numbers
About 70% to 80% of winners use Quick Pick.
Does that mean Quick Pick is better?
No.
It just means more people use it. If 80% of people use Quick Pick, it makes sense that 80% of winners would come from that group. Your birthday, your lucky number, or a random computer generation—they all have the same math behind them.
Surprising state-level jackpots you might miss
While everyone looks at the national games, some of the best value is actually in the state-specific draws.
For example, a man in Michigan just claimed a $32.9 million Lotto 47 jackpot today. He’d been playing the same numbers for 20 years. That is the biggest jackpot in that game's history. While $32 million sounds "small" compared to $215 million, the odds of winning a state game are usually significantly better than the national ones.
In Mississippi, they just launched their first $30 scratch-off ticket. People are losing their minds over it because the top prizes are huge for a scratchy.
What to do if you actually win
Let’s say you beat the 1 in 290 million odds for the Mega Millions tonight.
- Sign the back of the ticket. Immediately. A lottery ticket is a "bearer instrument," meaning whoever holds it owns it. If you drop it in the parking lot and someone else finds it, it's theirs unless your name is on it.
- Shut up. Seriously. Don't post it on Facebook. Don't call your cousin. The first person you should call is a lawyer, and the second is a reputable financial advisor.
- Check your state's anonymity laws. In states like Delaware, Kansas, and Ohio, you can remain anonymous. In others, your name becomes public record. Some people form a "blind trust" to claim the prize to keep their faces off the evening news.
Actionable steps for the next draw
If you're planning to play for the $215 million Mega Millions jackpot tonight or the $156 million Powerball tomorrow, keep these things in mind:
- Set a budget. Only play what you can afford to lose. It’s entertainment, not a retirement plan.
- Check the secondary prizes. Most people toss their tickets if they don't see the jackpot numbers. Last night, thousands of people won smaller amounts ranging from $4 to $100. It’s enough to buy next week’s lunch.
- Join a pool, but be careful. Office pools are a great way to buy more tickets without spending more money, but make sure there is a written agreement. You don't want to be in court for ten years fighting over who gets the cash.
- Double-check the date. Make sure you’re looking at the results for January 13, 2026, for Mega Millions and January 14, 2026, for Powerball to ensure you have the most current info.
The next few days could be life-changing for someone. Whether it's you or some random person halfway across the country, the numbers are officially on the move.