The winning numbers drawn were 13, 19, 20, 32, 33 and the yellow ball - 14.

It ended a stretch of lottery futility that had stretched for nearly four months.

Before the big win on Tuesday night, there had been 31 straight drawings since the last time somebody scooped the game's jackpot on 18 April.

Mega Millions jackpot winners are usually rare, with winning odds of one in 302.6 million.

The $1.58 billion pay-out would go to the winner if they opt for an annuity, doled out over 30 years. But people usually prefer a lump sum option, which for Tuesday's jackpot is an estimated $783.3 million.

The prize money is subject to federal taxes and many states also tax lottery winnings.

Tickets for the $2 game are sold in 45 states, Washington, DC, and the US Virgin Islands.

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In July, a Powerball player scooped a $1.08bn jackpot (£835m) with the winning ticket sold in Los Angeles.

It was the first time the Powerball jackpot had been won since April.