ATLANTA, GA (AP) -- The Mega Millions jackpot is now the largest in U.S. lottery history.

Georgia Lottery officials say the jackpot reached $500 million on Wednesday. It has rolled 18 times since Marcia Adams of College Park won $72 million in the Jan. 24 drawing.

A winner could get $19.2 million a year for 26 years or a single payment worth $359 million. The next drawing is Friday at 11 p.m.

Previously, the largest jackpot was $390 million, won by two players in Georgia and New Jersey in March 2007.

Lottery players across the country are dreaming about potential riches with the multistate Mega Millions jackpot at a record half-billion dollars.

So how will you protect your winnings - and your sanity - if you're really, really lucky in Friday's drawing?

Experts say whoever wins will face a lot of important decisions in a short amount of time.

Oklahoma City attorney Richard Craig's firm has represented lottery winners. He says it's essential to assemble a team of financial managers, tax experts, accountants and bankers.

Most lawyers and financial experts also say it's important to keep a low profile to protect your winnings.

Author Don McNay has written about lottery winners who've lost their jackpot quickly. He says most go through their money in five years or less.

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