Lottery jackpots have been soaring to new heights, with a Mega Millions drawing for $1.15 billion scheduled for Friday night in what could be the ninth-largest jackpot in the world. So, what’s driving these record-breaking prizes?

Even though a person is more likely to get eaten by a shark than win the lottery, it hasn’t deterred Americans from spending more than a few dollars in hopes of becoming rich overnight. In 2021, Americans spent over $105 billion on lottery tickets.

Remember this moment because it probably won't last: A U.S. lottery jackpot is projected to soar above $1 billion, and that's still a big deal. Friday’s Mega Millions drawing is worth an estimated $1.22 billion, evoking headlines and likely luring more people to convenience stores with dreams of private spacewalks above the earth.