How To Play Mega Millions
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TICKET PRICE
Mega Millions tickets cost $2.00 per play.
DRAW DAYS
Mega Millions drawings are held each week on Tuesday and Friday.
DRAW TIME
Each draw is made at 11:00 pm ET.
BALLS & NUMBERS
Five white balls are drawn from a set of balls numbered 1 through 70.
One gold Mega Ball is drawn from a set of balls numbered 1 through 25.
WIN CONDITIONS
You win if the numbers on one row of your ticket match the numbers of the balls drawn on that date.
WHERE TO PLAY
You can play Mega Millions in 47 localities in the United States: 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
DRAW RESULTS
Mega Millions website: megamillions.com
Video Draw: youtube.com/user/megamillions46/videos
PRIZE TIER
There are nine ways to win a prize, ranging from $2 to the jackpot. If no one wins the jackpot, the money is added back to the jackpot for the next drawing.
JACKPOT PRIZE PAYOUT
The winner can choose two options for the Mega Millions jackpot prize payment:
Annuity option: The Mega Millions annuity is paid out as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments. Each payment is 5% bigger than the previous one to help protect the winner's lifestyle and purchasing power in periods of inflation.
Cash option: This smaller payment option is a one-time, lump-sum payment that is equal to all the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool.
CALIFORNIA PRIZES
Prize amounts in California are paid on a pari-mutuel basis and will differ from the fixed prize amounts shown in the game results.
See details and prize amount at the California Lottery website: http://www.calottery.com/draw-games/mega-millions
MEGAPLIER
Megaplier is a Mega Millions feature to increase non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4 or 5 times.
Megaplier costs an additional $1 per play.
Before each Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday and Friday nights, the Megaplier is drawn from a pool of 15 balls. Five are marked with 2X, six with 3X, three with 4X and one with 5X.
This mix results in the following odds for each of the Megaplier numbers and their associated prize values:
ABOUT MEGA MILLIONS
Mega Millions, originally named The Big Game in 1996, is an American multi-jurisdictional lottery game offered in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as of 2023.
The initial concept of The Big Game was created by Michigan Lottery Commissioner Bill Martin and Illinois Lottery Director Desiree Rogers. It began in six states: Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Virginia, with the first tickets sold on August 31, 1996. The game was drawn weekly on Fridays.
In January 1999, Mega Millions introduced the option for jackpot winners to receive their prize in cash. By May 1999, New Jersey had joined The Big Game, becoming the only jurisdiction to participate before the game was renamed to Mega Millions in 2002.
Ohio and New York joined the consortium on May 15, 2002, which marked the beginning of The Big Game Mega Millions, retaining the original gold ball logo.
The yellow ball in the Mega Millions logo was replaced with six stars, representing the original consortium members, in February 2003.
Mega Millions is administered by a consortium of its 12 original lotteries and is drawn at 11 pm Eastern Time on Tuesday and Friday evenings, including holidays, at the WSB-TV studios in Atlanta, Georgia.
As of October 28, 2017, the minimum advertised Mega Millions jackpot is $20 million, payable in 30 graduated yearly installments that increase by 5% each year, unless the cash option is chosen. The jackpot increases when no top-prize winner is found.
What is Mega Millions?
Mega Millions® is more than just a lottery game; it's a nationwide phenomenon with massive jackpots and immense fun. You can play Mega Millions in 45 states, along with the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, totaling 47 jurisdictions. The excitement is real, as the jackpots can grow rapidly with so many participants. In Mega Millions, you get to choose six numbers, and there are nine ways to win. The starting jackpot varies based on ticket sales and is announced before each draw.
Where Can I Find Mega Millions Results?
Always check the official Mega Millions® website for results. They post winning numbers right after each drawing. Additionally, many state lotteries offer services like email or text alerts for results. You can find more information about these services on the Mega Millions ‘Where to Play’ page. Also, each Mega Millions state has a player information telephone number for instant updates.
Do My Numbers Need to Match the Draw Order?
No, they don't! In Mega Millions, the order of the drawn numbers doesn't matter. Your ticket numbers and the winning numbers are both shown in numerical order on the website, making it easy to compare.
When and Where Are Drawings Held?
Mega Millions® drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday night. Depending on my time zone, it could be at 11:00 p.m. ET, 10:00 p.m. CT, 9:00 p.m. MT, or 8:00 p.m. PT. The draw occurs at WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia. It's important to know the cut-off time for ticket purchases, which varies by state.
How Much Did I Win?
Mega Millions® has nine prize tiers, starting from $2 to the jackpot. The prize details are on the ‘How to Play’ page. Also, there's the Megaplier option for an extra $1, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes. A table on the How to Play page outlines Megaplier payouts.
How Are Mega Millions Jackpots Estimated?
The jackpot estimates are a collaborative effort. Every Tuesday and Friday, members of the Mega Millions® group discuss sales forecasts and use them to estimate the cash value and annuity value of upcoming jackpots. These values are influenced by sales and the day's 30-year U.S. Treasuries rate.
Why Don't the Actual Jackpot Match the Estimate?
Estimates are based on trends and patterns, but they're not exact. Factors like sales volume on the drawing day and changes in the U.S. Treasuries rate contribute to discrepancies. Actual jackpots can be higher, lower, or equal to estimated figures.
Where Can I Play Mega Millions?
Mega Millions® tickets are available in 45 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, summing up to 47 jurisdictions. For retailer information, check the Mega Millions website or contact the state lottery.
What is the Megaplier?
The Megaplier® is an exciting feature where you can multiply my non-jackpot winnings for an additional $1. This option, available in most states, can increase your prize several times based on the Megaplier number drawn.
What is 'Just the Jackpot'?
‘Just the Jackpot’ offers two jackpot-only chances for $3.00, available in some states. However, these tickets are ineligible for other prize levels. You can check if my state offers this option on their lottery website.
Can I Redeem a Ticket Bought in One State in Another?
No, you must redeem my winning tickets in the state where you purchased them. Most states have a mail-in option for claiming prizes.
How Long Do I Have to Collect a Prize?
The claim period varies by jurisdiction, ranging from 90 days to a year from the draw date. Always check with the state lottery for the specific claim period.
Can a Group Share a Mega Millions Prize?
Yes, Mega Millions® prizes can be shared. When claiming, winners decide on the division. Each state might have specific rules regarding prize sharing.
How Does Mega Millions Operate?
Mega Millions® doesn't have a central office. Instead, member states share responsibilities like jackpot projections, budgeting, settlements, data monitoring, public relations, and legal tasks.
I Received a Winning Notification. Is It Legitimate?
If you haven't bought a Mega Millions® ticket, any notification of winning is a scam. Scammers often ask for money or personal information. Always verify such communications with your local lottery.
Can Non-U.S. Residents Buy Tickets?
Visitors to the U.S. can buy tickets during their stay, but tickets aren't sold outside the U.S. I avoid third-party sellers claiming to offer Mega Millions tickets internationally.
Is Online Ticket Purchase Possible?
In some states like Georgia, Illinois, and a few others, you can buy tickets online. However, you must be a resident or physically present in those states when purchasing. Each state's lottery website provides more details.
Is There a Mega Millions Mobile App?
Since Mega Millions® is managed by individual lotteries, there's no official game app. However, most state lotteries have their own apps with game information and tools.
What If the Winner Dies Before Collecting All Payments?
If a winner passes away, Mega Millions® continues the payments to the designated beneficiary or the winner's estate.
Are Prizes Taxable?
Yes, all prizes are subject to income taxes. Tax-withholding information is available from the Mega Millions® lottery in each state.
What Are the Payout Options?
Jackpot winners choose between a cash option (a lump-sum payment) and an annuity option (initial payment followed by 29 annual payments, each larger than the last).
What If I Lose My Ticket?
Mega Millions® isn't responsible for lost or stolen tickets. Signing the back of the ticket can offer protection, as lottery tickets are bearer instruments.
What Happens to Unclaimed Jackpot Prizes?
Unclaimed jackpot prizes are returned to the states that contributed to the jackpot. Each state uses unclaimed prizes differently.
Can Winners Remain Anonymous?
The rules for public disclosure of winners vary by state. Some states require public identification, while others allow anonymity. Check with the state lottery for their specific rules.
