Add 'em together & Mega Millions, Powerball payouts at nearly $1B

Dreaming of striking it rich in the new year? Two of Georgia's popular jackpot games are offering combined jackpots of nearly $1 billion.

The Mega Millions jackpot climbed from $418 million to $445 million because of brisk sales, Georgia Lottery officials said in a release Thursday.

Additionally, the Powerball lottery rolled overnight, growing to $550 million.

The Mega Millions jackpot has grown since Oct. 17 and has rolled 23 times, and Powerball began growing Oct. 28 and has rolled 20 times.

The next Mega Millions drawing is at 11 p.m. Friday, and the next Powerball drawing is at 11 p.m. Saturday.

This story was originally published January 4, 2018 at 5:52 PM with the headline "Add 'em together & Mega Millions, Powerball payouts at nearly $1B."