The current Mega Millions jackpot is the largest in the history of the game and the next winner could win up to $1.6 billion in Tuesday’s drawing, according to officials.

On Tuesday Oct. 23, at 8 p.m., lottery officials are set to draw the Mega Millions numbers, and if there is a sole winner someone could win up to $1.6 billion before taxes, according to officials.

If the winner decides to get their full prize in cash at once, they are set to still be just shy of a billionaire, taking home a grand prize of approximately $904 million.

However, the odds of winning the $1.6 billion are extremely low.

Statistically, players are more likely to be struck by lightning and bitten by a shark simultaneously, according to CNN.   

In March of 2012, which is now the second largest winning in history behind the current 2018 drawing, reached $656 million and was won by three different tickets.

The winners were from Kansas, Illinois and Maryland who split the winnings three ways, according to The Mega Millions website.

About two-thirds of Americans gamble. Last year, they spent $72.97 billion on traditional lottery tickets, according to Gallup, an American research-based company known for its public opinion polls.

The Mega Millions first started back in 1996 and was originally known as “The Big Game,” and was only in six states: Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan and Virginia.

By May of 2002, three more states were added and The Big Game changed its name to Mega Millions.

By Jan. 31, 2010, 23 additional states joined The Mega Millions and is now played in 46 jurisdictions, 44 states, the District Of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

If there is no winner on Tuesday, the next drawing is set to take place Friday evening.        

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