BOISE, Idaho ÔÇô The Mega Millions jackpot for tonight's draw has been raised and is now an estimated $363 million for the 26-payment annuitized prize. This is the third largest Mega Millions jackpot in the game's history, the fourth largest ever in the United States and the new record holder for the largest single cash lump sum amount at $259.8 million.

"Playing a dollar for the chance at winning a life-changing jackpot like tonight's Mega Millions game is bringing a lot of enthusiasm and excitement to our players," said Idaho Lottery Director Jeff Anderson. "We are reminding all of our players to keep tonight's jackpot in perspective, to play what you can afford, but don't go overboard."

How big is the Mega Millions jackpot comparatively to other big-ticket items? Here are a few examples for perspective on tonight's jackpot:

• If you laid individual $1 bills end to end, $363 million worth would circle the globe at the equator 1 ┬¢ times.
• The most expensive street-legal automobile in the world, a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, goes 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds, tops out at 267 MPH, and costs $2.4 million.
• A 500-acre island off the coast of Belize is selling for around $10 million. The winner could buy an archipelago of 36 islands.
• A small ski resort in Utah was recently for sale for an estimated $35 million.
• A new roller coaster on the scale of the Animal Kingdom's Expedition Everest in Orlando, Florida would cost the winner about $100 million.
• The price of a new Boeing 787-Dreamliner is estimated at $178.1 million. The winner could buy two.
• Media Mogul Oprah Winfrey earned approximately $290 million last year, according to Forbes Magazine.
• A gently used, 850-foot long cruise ship is currently selling for about $300 million. The crew is not included in the price.
• And, according to Forbes Magazine, the current value of the National Basketball Association's Golden State Warriors in Oakland, California is about $363 million, however, the team is currently not for sale.

"Imagining what you could do by winning this jackpot is the real entertainment value for playing tonight," added Anderson. "Keep in mind, you cannot win if you do not have a ticket, but it does only take one ticket to win. In fact, last year's Mega Millions jackpot winner from Idaho bought a $5 quick pick for the draw she won."

The last opportunity players have to purchase tickets for tonight's Mega Millions jackpot is 7:55 p.m. Mountain Time when the draw closes. The winning numbers are announced at 9:00 p.m. Mountain Time.

As of Tuesday morning, no one has contacted the Idaho Lottery regarding either of last week's two, $250,000 winning tickets. Tuesday night's was sold at a retail location in Adams County and Friday night's winner was sold in Power County. There were also two $10,000 winners from Friday night's draw, both of those tickets were sold in Kootenai County.ÔÇï

ÔÇïThe Idaho Lottery is encouraging everyone who has played Mega Millions recently to check their tickets carefully for winners and sign their tickets prior to presenting them for payment.

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