The Mega Millions jackpot grew to an estimated $1.1 billion Saturday, marking the first time this year that a U.S. lottery prize has entered billion-dollar territory. Why it matters: The jackpot for the Tuesday, March 26 drawing is now the nation's eighth-largest lottery prize ever. It has a cash value of $525.8 million, according to Mega Millions. The jackpot has been rolling since it was last won on Dec. 8. State of play: Fewer jackpot winners — and bigger prizes — have become the norm since Powerball and Mega Millions made the games harder to win and more enticing to play a few years ago. The changes were designed ... (full story)