Rapid City, S.D. – While the Mega Millions jackpot now tops $500 million, the story has a national reach that matters to players across the country. The current prize is estimated at $505 million, with a cash option of $213.3 million, after 28 straight rollovers since a Florida ticket won $803 million on July 28.
Number analysis reveals most‑drawn balls
An analysis by PlayCasino.com examined 165 drawings held between April 8, 2025 and November 3, 2026. The study found that white‑ball numbers 40 and 49 each appeared 19 times, making them the most frequently drawn. Number 42 followed closely with 18 appearances, while numbers 10, 17, 18 and 63 each showed up 17 times.
Conversely, numbers 28 and 29 were drawn only six times, and numbers 20, 23 and 67 each appeared seven times. The longest gap belonged to number 69, which has not been drawn for 58 consecutive drawings dating back to April 14. Among the Mega Balls, number 18 has gone 91 drawings without a hit and has not appeared at all in 2026.
Experts caution against relying on trends
Lottery experts stress that these patterns do not give players an advantage. Each drawing is independent, meaning a number that has not shown up for months is no more likely to be drawn than a number that appeared recently. “The balls have no memory,” analysts at PlayCasino.com explained.
Mega Millions uses 70 white balls and 24 Mega Balls, with odds of winning the jackpot at 1 in 290,472,336. The next drawing is scheduled for 9 p.m. on Friday.
Original reporting: KOTA (Gray) – local — read the source article.
