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Jackpot in N.J. gets truly mega

The Mega Millions jackpot has jumped again.

Mario and Clelia Lopes of Union County, N.J., with a ceremonial check that shows the annuity value of the Mega Millions jackpot they won in July. The Lopes, who were introduced to the media on Monday in Trenton on Monday, took the cash value of $75.5 million, before fedeal taxes.
Mario and Clelia Lopes of Union County, N.J., with a ceremonial check that shows the annuity value of the Mega Millions jackpot they won in July. The Lopes, who were introduced to the media on Monday in Trenton on Monday, took the cash value of $75.5 million, before fedeal taxes.Read moreMel Evans / Associated Press
    by By Peter Mucha, Inquirer Staff Writer
    Published 

The Mega Millions jackpot has jumped again.

Now it's up to $207 million for payments in yearly installments, $141.3 million in lump-sum cash.

Before taxes, of course.

A safe bet would be that lots of people would love to join the likes of Mario and Clelia Lopes, the Union County, N.J., who were introduced Monday as the winners of $75.5 million for a ticket she bought in July.

Or even win tonight's Powerball, which has a $35 million annuity prize.

Eighteen people, including someone who bought a ticket in New Jersey, actually came oh-so-close to hitting last night's $170 million Mega Millions jackpot.

They had the first five numbers drawn last night (1, 12, 26, 31 and 33) but failed to pick the Mega Ball (27).

Four of these $250,000 winners were from California, four more from Ohio, three from New York and two from Texas. Georgia, Michigan, Virginia and Washington each had one of the rest.

Maryland, Massachusetts and Illinois were the only Mega Millions states without quarter-million winner.

Powerball's cash payout tonight is worth $20.4 million.

Powerball is played in Pennsylvania, Delaware and more than two dozen other states.

For more lottery information, go to www.philly.com/philly/news/lottery.