The highly anticipated **Mega Millions** drawing for **Friday, October 17, 2025**, took place with a massive estimated annuity jackpot of **$625 million** (or a cash option of $288.8 million). Millions of people across the country played their lucky numbers in hopes of becoming the next multi-millionaire.
Official Mega Millions Winning Numbers
The winning numbers for the Friday, Oct. 17 drawing are:
Mega Ball: 10
Did Anyone Win the Mega Millions Jackpot?
Based on drawing results, no ticket matched all six numbers, meaning the grand prize continues to roll over and reach an even more staggering amount for the next drawing. While the jackpot prize was not claimed, several lucky players did walk away with substantial second-tier prizes.
Next Drawing Information
- Next Drawing Date: **Tuesday, October 21**
- Next Estimated Jackpot: Expected to exceed $625 million (check official lottery sites for the updated amount)
- Drawing Time: 11 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)
Remember that the cut-off time to purchase a ticket varies by state. In Michigan, for example, in-store and online ticket sales are available until **10:45 p.m.** on the night of the draw.
How the Mega Millions Multiplier Feature Works
The current Mega Millions game, which costs **$5 per play**, includes a built-in multiplier feature that significantly boosts non-jackpot winnings. This feature replaced the optional Megaplier and is now automatically included in the ticket price. The multiplier increases prizes by a random value of **two, three, four, five, or 10 times** the base prize amount. The multiplier is assigned at the time of purchase.
Here is a breakdown of the prize tiers and the potential range with the new multiplier system:
| Match | Base Prize (Without Multiplier) | Potential Prize Range (With Multiplier) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 White Balls + Mega Ball | Jackpot | Jackpot |
| 5 White Balls | $1,000,000 (Base) | $2 million, $3 million, $4 million, $5 million, or $10 million |
| 4 White Balls + Mega Ball | $10,000 (Base) | $20,000 to $100,000 |
| 4 White Balls | $500 (Base) | $1,000 to $5,000 |
| 3 White Balls + Mega Ball | $200 (Base) | $400 to $2,000 |
| Match Mega Ball Only | $5 (Base) | $10 to $50 |
*Note: The prize structure listed above represents the fixed prize amounts. Winnings in California are paid on a pari-mutuel basis and may differ.
Understanding the Odds and Payout Options
The odds of winning the **Mega Millions jackpot** remain long but exciting at **1 in 290,472,336**. The overall odds of winning any prize are approximately 1 in 23.07.
A jackpot winner has two main options for receiving their prize:
- Annuity Option: The winner receives one immediate payment followed by **29 annual payments**. Each payment is **5% bigger** than the previous one, which is designed to help protect the winner’s purchasing power against inflation.
- Cash Option: The winner takes a single, lump-sum payment equal to the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool (which was **$288.8 million** for this drawing). This is the most common choice, though it results in a smaller immediate payout compared to the total annuity value.
If there are multiple jackpot winners, the prize money is divided equally among all winning tickets.
To check the official results and watch the drawings, you can visit the official Mega Millions website, state lottery websites, or the official Mega Millions YouTube channel.
**Play Responsibly:** The information in this article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Please remember that lottery games are a form of gambling and should be played responsibly.
