The jackpot has been steadily growing since June when an Illinois player claimed a remarkable $552 million, according to Mega Millions. Despite 25 subsequent drawings, no one has managed to snag the jackpot prize. With odds of winning at 1 in 302,575,350, the next drawing on Tuesday, September 4th, presents a chance for lottery enthusiasts to take home the considerable prize.

Should a lucky winner emerge, they will be crowned with the seventh-largest jackpot ever recorded in the Mega Millions game, and the largest Mega Millions prize to be won in the month of September. Opting for a cash prize, the winner would secure a substantial $336.1 million, Mega Millions confirmed. Alternatively, winners can choose to receive a series of annuity payments over a period of 30 years.

This year, only two individuals have succeeded in claiming the Mega Millions jackpot. Prior to the Illinois winner in June, a New Jersey player struck gold with a jaw-dropping $1.128 billion prize. Astonishingly, this enormous sum remains unclaimed, though winners in New Jersey have up to a year from the drawing date to come forward and collect their fortune.

Since 2018, Mega Millions has produced an astounding six jackpots exceeding $1 billion. The largest prize to date was an incredible $1.602 billion, leaving its winners in awe. These lucky individuals hailed from various states across America including South Carolina, Michigan, Illinois, Maine, Florida, and most recently, New Jersey.

Experts believe that the frequent occurrence of enormous jackpots is not a coincidence. Victor Matheson, an economics professor at the College of the Holy Cross, shared with CBS News the deliberate efforts by the Multi-State Lottery Association, a non-profit organization that coordinates the Mega Millions game, to engineer larger prizes. The expansion of the game to a nationwide level has allowed more people to contribute to the jackpot pool, giving rise to the increase in prize amounts. Additionally, the ticket price has been doubled, coupled with a wider range of number options, thus making it even more challenging for players to secure a win.

As the Mega Millions jackpot continues to climb, anticipation and excitement amongst hopeful players soar. The upcoming drawing presents an opportunity for someone to walk away with a life-changing sum of money. Whether luck will shine on an individual this Tuesday remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the lure of huge jackpots in the Mega Millions game persists, capturing the attention and dreams of millions across the nation.