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The $322 Million Mega Millions Drawing On March 28th: The Night One Lucky Ticket Missed The Jackpot By A Single Ball

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The Mega Millions drawing on March 28th, 2023, was a pivotal moment in the multi-state lottery's history, offering a staggering estimated jackpot of $322 million, with a cash option payout of $174.3 million. This Tuesday night draw captured the attention of millions of players across the United States, all hoping to secure the life-changing annuity prize and join the ranks of America's wealthiest lottery winners. The anticipation was palpable as the jackpot had been steadily climbing, driving ticket sales and generating intense media coverage.

As of today, December 22, 2025, the March 28th date remains significant, not just for the massive prize from 2023, but also for the estimated $20 million jackpot for the upcoming March 28, 2025 drawing. While the 2025 prize is a fresh start, the 2023 event is remembered for its dramatic near-miss, where one player came agonizingly close to claiming the massive top prize, resulting in a monumental rollover.

Mega Millions March 28, 2023: The Drawing Details and Winning Numbers

The Tuesday, March 28, 2023, Mega Millions drawing was the culmination of a significant jackpot run that had been building for weeks. The estimated annuity prize was $322 million, an amount that would fundamentally alter the financial landscape of any winner. For those who preferred an immediate lump sum, the estimated cash option was a hefty $174.3 million.

The drawing was held at 11:00 p.m. ET, and lottery officials confirmed the following winning numbers:

  • White Balls: 02, 03, 18, 32, 68
  • Mega Ball: 24
  • Megaplier: 4X

The Megaplier, which was set at 4X for this drawing, is a crucial detail, as it multiplies non-jackpot prizes by four.

The Critical Rollover and the Second-Tier Prize Winner

Despite the massive jackpot and the millions of tickets sold, no player managed to match all five white balls and the gold Mega Ball. This outcome immediately triggered a significant rollover, pushing the estimated jackpot for the next drawing (Friday, March 31, 2023) up to an even more colossal $355 million.

However, the night was not without its million-dollar winner. Lottery officials confirmed that at least one ticket sold across the participating states matched all five white balls, but missed the Mega Ball. This incredible near-miss secured the player a second-tier prize of $1 million. Had this player also purchased the optional Megaplier for an extra dollar, their prize would have been quadrupled to a stunning $4 million.

The inability of any player to hit the jackpot on March 28, 2023, only intensified the lottery fever across the country, highlighting the difficulty of matching the 1-in-302.6-million odds and setting the stage for one of the largest jackpots of that year.

Understanding the Prize Tiers and Payouts from March 28th

The March 28, 2023, drawing saw a wide distribution of prizes outside of the jackpot and the single $1 million winner. The Megaplier feature significantly boosted the lower-tier payouts, allowing thousands of players to walk away with more than the standard prize amount. This is a key entity in the Mega Millions game, and its 4X multiplier on this night was a boon for smaller prize winners.

Prize Breakdown and Winning Entities (March 28, 2023)

The drawing results showcased the various ways players can win, with prizes ranging from $2 all the way up to the $1 million second-tier prize. The Megaplier played a direct role in the final payout for many of these players:

  • Match 5 (White Balls Only): 1 Winner ($1,000,000 prize)
  • Match 4 + Mega Ball: Winners of the standard $10,000 prize, which was boosted to $40,000 with the 4X Megaplier.
  • Match 4 (White Balls Only): Winners of the standard $500 prize, which was boosted to $2,000 with the 4X Megaplier.
  • Match 3 + Mega Ball: Winners of the standard $200 prize, which was boosted to $800 with the 4X Megaplier.
  • Match 3 (White Balls Only): Winners of the standard $10 prize, which was boosted to $40 with the 4X Megaplier.

This distribution of prizes underscores the nature of the multi-state lottery, where even without a jackpot winner, significant wealth is transferred to numerous participants. The sheer volume of winners in the lower tiers demonstrates the widespread participation in a high-jackpot environment. The annuity versus cash option debate also dominated discussions, with the $174.3 million lump sum being a major talking point.

The Continuing Significance of March 28th in Lottery History

While the $322 million draw of 2023 is a fixed point in the Mega Millions history, the date of March 28th itself continues to be relevant for lottery enthusiasts. As the current date is late 2025, the focus shifts to the next scheduled draw on this date.

Looking Ahead to March 28, 2025

The next Mega Millions draw scheduled for a Friday, March 28th will occur in 2025. This upcoming draw is currently estimated to have a starting jackpot of $20 million (with a $9.2 million cash option), assuming no winner hits the jackpot in the preceding draws. This lower, restarting jackpot is a stark contrast to the massive $322 million from 2023, but it represents a fresh opportunity for players.

The continuous cycle of the lottery, with its massive jackpots, rollovers, and second-tier prizes, maintains its appeal. Whether it's the $322 million from the past or the new estimated jackpot for the future, the March 28th date serves as a reminder of the immense financial possibilities available in the multi-state lottery system. Players are constantly searching for the "hot" numbers and analyzing previous draw data, such as the white balls (02, 03, 18, 32, 68) and the Mega Ball (24) from the 2023 event, in their quest to predict the next winning combination.

The Mega Millions game, along with its counterpart Powerball, continues to be a major source of revenue for state-funded programs, with ticket sales directly contributing to education, infrastructure, and other public services in the participating jurisdictions. The occasional massive jackpot is what fuels the entire system, turning routine dates like March 28th into moments of national excitement and speculation about a life-changing cash prize.

mega millions march 28th
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