The Mega Millions jackpot reached a record $500 million -- pre-tax -- after no one picked all six numbers correctly Tuesday night. The jackpot had been at $476 million soon after the drawing, and by Wednesday morning had grown by $24 million.
The next drawing is this Friday, and any winner would be able to take that amount over time or an immediate cash payout of $359 million.
The new jackpot is $110 million more than the previous record set in March 2007.
Tuesday's winning numbers were: 9 - 19 - 34 - 44 - 51, with the mega number 24.
Five of the six winning numbers were picked by 47 players, who each won $250,000.
The $1 lottery tickets are sold in 42 states plus Washington, D.C. The odds of winning are estimated at one in nearly 176 million.
The pot has grown massively since the last winner on Jan. 24 received $72 million.
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