US Mega Millions Lottery
Mega
Millions (formerly The Big Game) is a lottery game in the United States. Several
U.S. states participate in the game, which has high jackpots (at least US$12
million) and low odds of winning. The Big Game began on August 31 of 1996 and
had the largest jackpot (US$363 million) ever won in North America. Mega
Millions began on May 15 of 2002, with the first drawing on May 17. Ohio and New
York joined at that time, with Washington in September 2002 and Texas in
December 2003. On June 22, 2005, California joined a revamped Mega Millions.
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The largest Mega Millions jackpot to date was the US $294 million annuity value
jackpot won by a 67 year old retired janitor from Lowell, Massachusetts on July
2, 2004.
Drawings are held at WSB-TV in Atlanta by the Georgia Lottery at 11pm eastern
time on Tuesdays and Fridays. Usually, the announcer is WSB's chief weather
forecaster, Glenn Burns. Tickets must be purchased at least 15 minutes prior to
drawings, also accounting for local time zone difference. Payouts are over 26
years, but other options like cash vary from state to state. Unclaimed jackpots
are refunded to each state to do what is required under their state laws.
Tickets are one dollar in all states.
Laws and regulations vary slightly and are generally governed by the applicable
laws in the state where the ticket is sold. Mega Millions winnings are generally
exempt from state income tax in California, New Jersey, Texas, and Washington.
Playing the game
To play the game, a player pays one dollar and picks five numbers from 1 to 56
and one additional number from 1 to 46, (the Mega Ball number). The player wins
according to the following (with the exception of California, as players are
paid on a pari-mutiel basis, which could earn the player more or less than the
prize money set below):
Matches Payoff Odds of winning
Mega Ball only $ 2 1: 75
1 number and Mega Ball $3 1: 141
3 numbers but no Mega Ball $7 1: 306
2 numbers and Mega Ball $10 1: 844
3 numbers and Mega Ball $150 1: 13,781
4 numbers and no Mega Ball $150 1: 15,313
4 numbers and Mega Ball $10,000 1: 689,065
all 5 numbers and no Mega Ball $250,000 1: 3,904,701
all 5 numbers and Mega Ball Jackpot 1: 175,711,536
Unlike its main rival Powerball, an optional multiplier feature for non-jackpot
winnings is only available in one state (Texas).
Overall odds of winning a prize are 1:40.
Jackpots are typically paid out in an annuity. Winners have the option to
collect the jackpot a single lump sum payment. The lump sum payment is typically
approximately 60% of the annuity value. Winners in most states may make the
choice of annuity or cash option up to 60 days after the drawing date. In Ohio,
Georgia, and Washington, they have until 60 days past the date of claim. In New
York and Texas the choice must be made at the time of purchase.
The minimum jackpot prize is a US$12 million annuity disbursed in annual
payments over 26 years.
If more than one person wins the jackpot, the prize is equally divided among the
winning tickets. Winners have between 180 days and 1 year to collect the
jackpot, depending upon the applicable laws in the state where the winning
ticket was sold.
Participating states
California
Georgia
Illinois
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Texas
Virginia
Washington
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