The Mega Millions lottery jackpot rose by $40 million, well surpassing the half a billion dollars mark after it remained unclaimed Friday.

The jackpot is now $619 million, with an estimated take-home value of $297 million after taxes, according to the lotto. "If won at that level, it would be the tenth largest jackpot in the game’s history," stated a Mega Millions press release.

If it goes unclaimed, however, the jackpot could keep growing.

The largest Mega Millions jackpot was worth $1.6 billion, the lotto stated. It was won in Florida on Aug. 8, 2023.

In March, a lucky Mega Millions player from New Jersey won the fifth largest Mega Millions jackpot, worth a whopping $1.1 billion, although that prize has also not been claimed yet.

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Here's how to play for a chance to win the grand prize.

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When will the lotto's winning numbers be announced?

The winning Mega Million numbers will be drawn Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET. Drawings happen every week on Tuesdays and Fridays at the same time.

What to do if you do win the jackpot?

The odds of winning the Mega Millions are 1 in 302.6 million, but if you are one of the luckiest people on earth and do win the $619 million jackpot, you have two options to pick from, according to the lotto:

• Annuity options- This option allows the winner to receive 29 annual payments. Each payment is 5% bigger than the last.
• Cash option- Winners can choose to take all the winnings home at once in a lump-sum payment

It's best to keep things quiet if you do win, despite how exciting it may be to get your hands on such a life-changing amount of money, Rob Burnette, financial and investment adviser at Outlook Financial Center in Troy, Ohio, previously told USA TODAY. Keeping your winnings a secret makes it easier to avoid attracting the wrong crowd to your new life as a millionaire.

"Get organized and make a plan," said Burnette. "Consider staying anonymous, if it’s a possibility.” 

And, it might seem obvious to some, but do not post your win to TikTok, Facebook, Instagram or any other social media, he advised. Your best bet is just to do a little happy dance and keep your win to yourself if you can.

Unfortunately, despite best efforts, it may be harder to keep your winnings a secret depending on the state you live in. According to Mega Millions, some states may require lotteries to identify winners publicly, while others do not.

How to claim your winnings

People who win the jackpot have to visit their state's lottery headquarters to claim their prizes, depending on the dollar amount.

Floridians who win any prize over $1 million, for example, must go to the Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee, Florida, according to the Florida Lottery.

In Texas, prizes over $5 million must be claimed at the headquarters in Austin, according to the Texas Lottery.

Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery, so each state's rules may vary. In some states, winning tickets can be redeemed at local authorized sellers under a certain dollar amount.

What were Friday's winning numbers?

The winning numbers for the Mega Millions drawing on Friday, Dec. 6 were: 16, 21, 33, 39, 45 Megaball: 24

Megaplier: 2X

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Did anyone win the lotto on Friday?

No. No one won the jackpot, the $1 million prize or the $2 million Megaplier prize on Friday, Dec. 6.

How to play the Mega Millions

In order to buy a ticket, you'll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store − and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online. 

To play, you will need to pick six numbers. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball is one number between 1 and 25. 

If you believe the odds are against you or you're feeling uninspired, ask for a "Quick Pick" or an "Easy Pick" and the computer will randomly generate the numbers for you. 

Players can add the "Megaplier" for $1, which can increase non-grand prize winnings by two, three, four or five times. The Megaplier is drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesday and Friday.

There are 15 Megapiler balls in all:

• 2X, five balls
• 3X, six balls
• 4X, three balls
• 5X, one ball

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.

Contributing: Medora Lee, USA TODAY

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected]