The stars have aligned in the lottery universe like never before.
Mega Millions and Powerball have both upped their jackpots, and the two jackpots together now total almost $2 billion, with $865 for Powerball and $1.1 billion for Mega Millions.
The Powerball jackpot increased to an estimated $865 million after no one won Monday night’s drawing, continuing a winless streak that dates to New Year’s Day.
The numbers drawn were: 7, 11, 19, 53 68 and red ball 23.
Since the last winner on Jan. 1, there have been 36-straight drawings without a big winner. It’s tough to win the Powerball jackpot because the odds are so long, at 1 in 292.2 million.
The top prize up for grabs Monday night was for an estimated $800 million.
The $865 million prize on the line for the next drawing Wednesday night is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity, with an initial payment and then 29 annual payments. Most winners choose a cash payout, which for Wednesday night’s drawing would be an estimated $416 million.
The Powerball prize has mushroomed at a time when Mega Millions, the other nearly national U.S. lottery game, has become even bigger, with an estimated annuity payout of $1.1 billion. The next Mega Millions drawing will be Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, the Mega Millions jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.1 billion after no one matched the game’s six numbers Friday night, continuing a stretch of more than three months without a big winner.
The numbers drawn were: 3, 8, 31, 35, 44, 16.
The jackpot increased after a drawing for an estimated $977 million failed to produce a jackpot winner.
No one has won the game’s jackpot since Dec. 8, a string of 30 consecutive drawings without anyone taking home the top prize. That has enabled the jackpot to slowly grow, week after week.
The $1.1 billion prize is for a sole winner who chooses to be paid through an annuity over 30 years. Winners almost always opt for a cash payment, which for the next drawing Tuesday night is an estimated $525.8 million.
A lucky player winning the $1.1 billion jackpot would take home the eighth largest in U.S. lottery history.
Both Powerball and Mega Millions are sold in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball also is sold in Puerto Rico.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.