First Mega Millions jackpot increases to $27 million

ATLANTA - Anticipating high ticket sales before the first Mega Millions drawing Thursday, lottery officials have raised the estimated jackpot from $25 million to $27 million. <br> <br> Mega Millions, a new multistate lottery that replaces the Big Game in Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey and Virginia, debuts tomorrow night. Ohio and New York also are Mega Millions states, and the state of Washington expects to join in September. <br> <br> The new game promises jackpots starting at ten million dollars, double those of the Big Game. And, lottery officials say, the average jackpot will reach $80 million -- with some nearing $500 million.

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