Kentucky Lottery Gives Out Free Tickets as Mega Millions Hits $965M

The Mega Millions fever is officially on in Kentucky — and the jackpot is soaring to a massive $965 million for Friday night, with a $445.3 million cash option. It’s now ranked as the eighth-largest jackpot in the game’s history.

To crank up the excitement, the Kentucky Lottery is surprising players with free $5 Mega Millions ticket coupons. These will be handed out Friday, Nov. 14 at two Kroger locations while supplies last:

• 11 a.m. — Kroger, 760 Newtown Springs Dr., Lexington, KY
• 1 p.m. — Kroger, 5000 Mud Lane, Louisville, KY

Why the buzz?

• This is the 40th drawing in the current run — a new game record.

• The last jackpot anywhere near this size hit $1.269 billion in California back in December 2024.

• Mega Millions tickets now include a random multiplier up to 10X, boosting non-jackpot prizes.

A few quick reminders:

• Tickets are sold in 45 states, plus D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

• Drawings take place Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. ET.

• Overall odds of winning anything are 1 in 23 — and hitting the jackpot? A tiny 1 in 290,472,336, but hey, someone’s got to win.