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Mega Millions is one of the two large multi-state lottery games played in the U.S. Draws take place in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 11 p.m. ET. The game costs $2 a ticket and is played by picking five numbers from a set of 70 and one Mega Ball number from a set of 25.
For an additional fee of $1, players can purchase the Megaplier option to multiply all non-jackpot wins by the draw's Megaplier number.
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302.6 million, making them the highest odds of any other state or multi-state lottery game ever played in the United States. However, this means the jackpot can grow to surpass the billion-dollar mark with relative ease. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24, which is slightly better than that of Powerball, which are 1 in 24.87.
After a jackpot win, the Mega Millions jackpot resets to $40 million, which is the same as Powerball. However, unlike Powerball, Mega Millions has a $3 "Just the Jackpot" option that gives players two tickets, but only pays out if the player wins the jackpot. No other win is paid out, and some jurisdictions do not offer this option.
Remember, the advertised Mega Millions jackpot is the annuity jackpot, which means it's the amount that you would receive if you were to opt for the money to be paid out over 29 annual payments (plus a one-off initial payment). For example, for an advertised jackpot of $200 million, the initial payment would be approximately $3 million, with future payments growing to as much as $12.4 million per annum. However, almost all jackpot winners take the cash option that is paid in one lump sum that, on average, is 60% of the advertised jackpot.
How to Play Mega Millions and Its Odds & Prizes
Steps on Taking Part in Mega Millions
Pick five main numbers from a set of 1-70 and one Mega Ball number from a set of 1-25.
Decide if you want to include the Megaplier or take the Just the Jackpot option, if it's available in your jurisdiction.
Prizes start from matching just the Mega Ball.
Depending on your jurisdiction, claim any prize up to 180-365 days after the draw.
Mega Millions Main Draw Prizes and Odds Table
Match Main Balls
Match Mega Ball
Prize
Odds
5
1
Jackpot
1 in 302,575,350
5
0
$1,000,000
1 in 12,607,306
4
1
$10,000
1 in 931,001
4
0
$500
1 in 38,792
3
1
$200
1 in 14,547
3
0
$10
1 in 606
2
1
$10
1 in 693
1
1
$4
1 in 89
0
1
$2
1 in 37
Overall odds of winning: 1 in 24.
Megaplier Prizes and Odds Table
Match
Original Prize
2x
3x
4x
5x
5 + Mega Ball
Jackpot
5
$1,000,000
$2,000,000
$3,000,000
$4,000,000
$5,000,000
4 + Mega Ball
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
4
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
3 + Mega Ball
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
3
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
2 + Mega Ball
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
1 + Mega Ball
$4
$8
$12
$16
$20
Mega Ball
$2
$4
$6
$8
$10
Odds
N/A
1 in 3
1 in 2.5
1 in 5
1 in 15
Get to Know the Megaplier in Three Steps
Select the Megaplier box on your Mega Millions ticket.
If you have a match with your main numbers, your prize gets multiplied by the active Megaplier multiple (2x, 3x, 4x, 5x).
The Megaplier multiples do not alter or affect the jackpot amount.
Mega Millions Small Print
Claim Period
You have between 180 and 365 days to claim any prize depending on your jurisdiction. Each jurisdiction's lottery operates independently, and so the disparities in claim periods tend to stem from the operators aligning them with claim periods of their other lottery games.
If you want to see the claim period of a specific jurisdiction, you can do so by checking out the table below.
Jurisdiction
Claim Period (Days)
Arizona
180
Arkansas
180
California
180
Colorado
180
Connecticut
180
Delaware
365
District of Columbia
180
Florida
180
Georgia
180
Idaho
180
Illinois
365
Indiana
180
Iowa
365
Kansas
365
Kentucky
180
Louisiana
180
Maine
365
Maryland
182
Massachusetts
365
Michigan
365
Minnesota
365
Missouri
180
Montana
182
Nebraska
180
New Hampshire
365
New Jersey
365
New Mexico
90
New York
365
North Carolina
180
North Dakota
180
Ohio
180
Oklahoma
180
Oregon
365
Pennsylvania
365
Rhode Island
365
South Carolina
180
South Dakota
180
Tennessee
180
Texas
180
U.S. Virgin Islands
182
Vermont
365
Virginia
180
Washington
180
West Virginia
180
Wisconsin
180
Wyoming
180
Taxes
If your Mega Millions ticket nets you more than $5,000, you'll be expected to pay 24% Federal tax right off the bat. If you win an amount that's between $600.01 and $5,000, you'll have to declare this amount on a Federal tax form so that the government is aware.
These are the same rates for the Powerball game, too, so you can't really avoid it by playing a certain game, unfortunately.
After that, depending on the jurisdiction you're in, you may have even more to pay back. It's strongly recommended that where there are large sums of money involved you seek expert tax advice.
Certain jurisdictions consider lottery winnings taxable under income tax laws - you can find these rates for each jurisdiction below.
Jurisdiction
Income Tax for Lottery Prizes
Arizona
5%
Arkansas
7%
California
0%
Colorado
4%
Connecticut
6.99%
Delaware
0%
District of Columbia
8.5%
Florida
0%
Georgia
6%
Idaho
7.4%
Illinois
4.95% (over $1,000)
Indiana
3.4% (over $1,200)
Iowa
5% (over $600)
Kansas
5%
Kentucky
6% (over $600)
Louisiana
5%
Maine
5%
Maryland
8.75%
Massachusetts
5% (over $600)
Michigan
4.25%
Minnesota
7.25%
Missouri
4% (over $600)
Montana
6.9%
Nebraska
5%
New Hampshire
0%
New Jersey
5% ($10,001-$500,000) - 8% (over $500,000)
New Mexico
6%
New York
8.82%
North Carolina
5.5% (over $600)
North Dakota
2.9%
Ohio
4%
Oklahoma
4%
Oregon
8%
Pennsylvania
3.07%
Rhode Island
5.99%
South Carolina
7% (over $500)
South Dakota
0%
Tennessee
0%
Texas
0%
U.S. Virgin Islands
N/A
Vermont
6%
Virginia
4%
Washington
0%
West Virginia
6.5%
Wisconsin
7.65% (over $1,999)
Wyoming
0%
All jurisdictions are subject to 25% Federal tax for any lottery prize over $5,000.
The best piece of advice regarding tax laws is: If you win a large amount of money playing the lottery, get in touch with the relevant jurisdiction officials to advise you on what you'll be expected to pay.
Anonymity
You are obliged to go public about a jackpot win unless you live in one of the following states: Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Carolina.
10 Biggest Mega Millions Jackpots
Jackpot Size
Draw Date
Jackpot Rolls
Winners
$1.537 billion
Oct. 23, 2018
24
Anonymous player from South Carolina
$656 million
Mar. 30, 2012
18
"The Three Amigos" from Milford Mill, Maryland
Merle and Patricia Butler from Red Bud, Illinois
Anonymous player from Ottawa, Kansas
$648 million
Dec. 17, 2013
21
Ira Curry from Stone Mountain, Georgia
Steve Tran from San Jose, California
$543 million
Jul. 24, 2018
22
An 11-member office pool from Santa Clara County, California
$536 million
Jul. 08, 2016
34
Warren D, LLC. from Indiana
$533 million
Mar. 30, 2018
23
Richard Wahl from Vernon, New Jersey
$522 million
Jun. 07, 2019
24
Laarni Bibal from San Diego, California
$451 million
Jan. 05, 2018
23
Secret 007, LLC from Port Richey, Florida
$437 million
Jan. 01, 2019
19
New Life 2019, LLC, a group of 23 co-workers from Long Island, New York
$414 million
Mar. 18, 2014
20
Cobie and Seamus Trust from Merritt Island, Florida
Anonymous player from Maryland
Mega Millions' Vibrant History
First draw of The Big Game, which would later be rebranded as Mega Millions. Six states - Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Virginia - took part.
The first official Mega Millions draw. The six original states were joined by newcomers New York and Ohio for this draw.
On this day, 23 states join Mega Millions following an agreement allowing Powerball and Mega Millions tickets to be cross-sold in the same states. As a result of this, Mega Millions can now be played across 44 jurisdictions, including Washington, D.C.
Three tickets share the then-record-breaking jackpot of $656 million.
Mega Millions introduces a few game changes, including a matrix redesign to allow bigger jackpots and better overall odds.
Changes to the Mega Millions game matrix were introduced, meaning the jackpots will likely get bigger more often, and players have a better chance of winning the second-tier prize of $1 million (without the Megaplier). Certain states can now take advantage of the Just the Jackpot feature, which allows players to buy a ticket ($3 for two lines) that gives them a chance of winning the jackpot if they match 5 + 1, but no prizes if they match anything less than that.
Almost a year on from changes to its game matrix, the Mega Millions jackpot reaches a record-high $1.537 billion ($878 million cash). This amount is more than double that of its predecessor, which was a $656 million jackpot won back in March 2012.
Frequently Asked Mega Millions Questions
Does Mega Millions have a jackpot cap?
No - it's uncapped, so it's free to roll over infinitely until it's won.
Can I buy Mega Millions tickets for future draws?
Unless playing online, there is no option to play on a Mega Millions draw other than the one that is next. You can buy multiple tickets for a draw, but they will all be valid for the same draw.
Certain jurisdictions allow players to purchase Mega Millions tickets for advance play, although the amount of available draws varies by state. Anyone interested in taking part in advance Mega Millions draws is advised to contact the relevant lottery operator for further information.
When did the first Mega Millions draw take place?
The first ever Mega Millions draw took place on May 17, 2002 - the numbers 15, 18, 25, 33, and 47 (and 30 as the Mega Ball) were drawn. Prior to that, The Big Game's first draw (the old name of Mega Millions) had its maiden draw on September 6, 1996.
How old do I need to be to play Mega Millions?
18 in every participating jurisdiction other than Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, where you'll need to be 21, and Nebraska, where you'll need to be 19.
How many numbers do I need to match to win?
You can win $2 just by matching the Mega Ball. Without the Mega Ball, you'll need to match three main numbers to win a prize.
Do I need to pay tax on any Mega Millions prizes I win?
Yes - all prizes of $5,000 and above are subject to Federal tax, and prizes above $600 may be subject to income tax. So, if you win a large prize, you're advised to check the tax regulations that are relevant to the jurisdiction you're in.
What was the biggest jackpot won on Mega Millions?
$1.537 billion, won on October 23, 2018 by one very lucky player in South Carolina.
Where do the profits from the Mega Millions game go?
Profits from ticket sales go toward funding jurisdiction-specific causes, such as higher education, senior citizen programs, and environmental protection schemes.
Is Mega Millions played the same way in every jurisdiction?
No. In California, there is no Megaplier option, and currently only seven states offer the Just the Jackpot option.
Which states offer the Just the Jackpot option?
Georgia, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia currently offer players the Just the Jackpot option, priced at $3. More states are to follow.
Where does the Mega Millions draw take place?
It takes place in Atlanta, Georgia, which is where the Powerball draw originally took place before it moved to Florida.
Can a group of people share a Mega Millions win?
Yes - this is known as "pooling" or "syndication". A group of family members, friends, or colleagues put funds together to purchase more tickets, and then equally share out any prizes they win. Bear in mind, one nominated person will have to act as the ticket holder, and it's important that they are reliable and trustworthy. You should also have a binding legal agreement.
What happens if I lose my ticket or it gets stolen?
You don't get your prize. Unfortunately, if you lose or damage your ticket, the lottery operator is not obliged to pay out on any prize that you believe you have won without a valid ticket.
What happens to unclaimed prizes?
If a Mega Millions prize does not get claimed within the specified claim period, the money can go back into the game's prize pool or can sometimes be given to the relevant jurisdiction's beneficiaries to help with its development programs and plans.
Can I play Mega Millions if the jurisdiction that I live in doesn't take part in the draw?
Yes, you can. Anyone wishing to play Mega Millions will have to visit a participating jurisdiction to buy a ticket, but they can play. However, if you win, you will have to return to that same jurisdiction to claim your winnings.
Mega Millions Quick Facts
Game Type:
Twice weekly, multi-state draw game
Game Format:
5/70 and 1/25
Draw Days and Times:
Tuesdays and Fridays, 11 p.m. ET
Participating Jurisdictions:
44 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A full list of the participating jurisdictions can be found in the list below.
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
U.S. Virgin Islands
Vermont
Virginia
Washington, D.C.
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Lottery Operator:
Multi-State Lottery Association
Ticket Sales Cut-Off Time:
One hour prior to the draw, but this can differ depending on the state or jurisdiction where you're playing the game.
Starting Jackpot:
$40 million
Maximum Jackpot Cap:
Uncapped
Jackpot Odds:
1 in 302,575,350
Any Prize Odds:
1 in 24
Minimum Match to Win:
Mega Ball only
Minimum Prize:
$2
Game Add-on Options:
Yes
Game Add-on Name:
Megaplier
Game Add-on Type:
Multiplier
Game Add-on Name:
Just the Jackpot
Game Add-on Type:
Two lines to play for the jackpot only
Main Ball Range:
1-70 (white)
Mega Ball Range:
1-25 (yellow)
Ways to Win:
Nine
Ticket Cost:
$2 for main draw, additional $1 for Megaplier option, or $3 for a Just the Jackpot ticket (two lines).
Legal Age to Play:
18 in every jurisdiction other than Arizona, Iowa, and Louisiana, where it's 21, and Nebraska, where it's 19.