Long lines for $1.28 billion Mega Millions lottery

A giant Mega Millions lottery jackpot keeps getting larger as officials raised the massive prize to $1.28 billion on Friday, just hours before the next drawing.The giant jackpot remains the nation's third-largest prize and is the result of 29 consecutive drawings without anyone matching all of the game's six numbers.

That last time someone hit the Mega Millions jackpot was April 15.In Hawthorne, California, hundreds lined up Friday morning to purchase tickets at what they believe is a lucky lottery store.If no one wins the Mega Millions jackpot Friday night, lottery officials expect the prize will grow to $1.7 billion for the next drawing Tuesday, making it the nation's largest lottery prize.

The estimated $1.28 billion prize is for players who get their winnings through an annuity, paid annually over 29 years. Nearly all winners take the cash option, which for Friday's drawing is an estimated $747.2 million.The jackpot is the latest focus of lotteries that have been conducted in the U.S. and around the world for centuries.