California Lottery Mega Millions Jackpot Climbs to $302 Million for September 2 Draw

The Mega Millions jackpot climbed to an estimated $277 million for the draw scheduled on Friday, August 29, 2025. However, no player managed to match all six numbers—13, 31, 32, 44, 45, and the Gold Mega Ball 21 from the preceding Tuesday's draw, held on August 26, which means the substantial jackpot rolled over to the next round.

The latest results come in the wake of a series of significant wins this year. While the August 29 draw did not produce a jackpot winner, it is expected that the impending Mega Millions draw, slated for Tuesday, September 2, 2025, will see an estimated jackpot increase to $302 million, offering a cash option of $136 million. This further heightens the excitement among lottery aficionados ahead of the next draw.

As of now, 2025 has seen four individuals clinch the Mega Millions jackpot. A notable win involved a ticket bought in Virginia on June 27, yielding a prize of $348 million. Prior to that, an Ohio participant secured a $112 million jackpot on April 18, while an Illinois resident claimed $344 million on March 25. Earlier in the year, on January 17, a fortunate ticket holder from Arizona took home $113 million.

With the jackpot resetting each time a prize is claimed, the August 29 draw represents the 18th occasion since a ticket with all the winning numbers was sold. The lack of a winner for the latest draw means the pot continues to build, further stoking anticipation across participating states.

To participate in the Mega Millions game, which operates in 45 states along with the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, players must purchase a ticket. Tickets can be purchased at numerous venues, such as local convenience stores and gas stations, with some states also permitting online purchases. Participants select six numbers from two separate pools—five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Gold Mega Ball from 1 to 24. Alternatively, Quick Pick/Easy Pick options are available, allowing the computer to randomly select numbers for the player.

The latest iteration of the Mega Millions game introduced in April 2025 sees a $5 ticket that includes a built-in multiplier, automatically enhancing non-jackpot prizes by factors of two, three, four, five, or ten, a feature that players previously had to pay extra for.

The current jackpot further cements this offering in the annals of lottery history. The largest Mega Millions award was an astounding $1.58 billion, claimed by Saltines Holdings LLC of Miami with a ticket purchased at a Florida Publix store in Neptune Beach on August 8, 2023.

While a $5 ticket could lead to a multimillionaire outcome, the odds are quite steep. The likelihood of hitting the jackpot is approximately 1 in 290.5 million. Meanwhile, players have a 1 in 23 chance of winning any prize.

The anticipation for significant payouts persists as excitement surrounding the next Mega Millions draw intensifies. These compelling figures continue to draw considerable interest from lottery players eager to try their luck at a life-altering jackpot in the upcoming draw.