There is one chance out of 302,575,350 to win the top prize in Mega Millions. The Mega Millions lottery requires players to select five numbers from 1 to 70, the white ball, and one more number, the gold Mega Ball, from 1 to 25. To win the Jackpot prize, players need to choose the six numbers correctly, against 302,575,350 to 1. It's 300 times less likely than being hit by lightning, to win the Mega Millions Jackpot.
What other prizes can be won in the Mega Millions draw?
Entry to the Mega Millions is starting at $2 per ticket. Participants can always bring money home even if they missed the six numbers. There are nine different ways of winning something from the Mega Million lottery. Ways to win and chances of winning are:
- 5 White balls and the Gold Mega Ball - Prize: Jackpot, 1 in 302,575,350
- 5 White balls - Prize: $1,000,000, 1 in 12,607,306
- 4 White balls and the Gold Mega Ball - Prize: $10,000, 1 in 931,001
- 4 White balls - Prize: $500, 1 in 38,792
- 3 White balls and the Gold Mega Ball – Prize: $200, 1 in 14,547
- 3 White balls - Prize: $10, 1 in 606
- 2 White balls and the Gold Mega Ball - Prize: $10, 1 in 693
- 1 White ball and the Gold Mega Ball - Prize: $4, 1 in 89
- The Gold Mega Ball - Prize: $2, 1 in 37
The overall opportunity to win a prize is 1 out of 24. The jackpot size varies depending on the draws, but each new jackpot still starts at $20 million. If nobody claims a win for this draw, then the $20 million jackpot is "postponed" and increased for the next draw. Like the recent $1 billion draw, the jackpot may become massive if there is a series of draws without a winner.
What is the history of Mega Millions?
As exciting as playing the game is the story of Mega Millions. Following a record jackpot of $363 million in 2000, interest in multi-state games has never been greater. As interest in multi-state games has increased, participants have done the same. In May 2002, New York and Ohio teamed up with Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, and Virginia to create Mega Millions! Sales of the country's latest multi-state jackpot opened on May 15, 2002, and the first draw was held on May 17, 2002.
It wasn't long before players from other states joined the mega-fun! In September 2002, Washington joined Mega Millions and in December 2003, Texas started bringing the game to its people. In June 2005, California became the 12th member, consolidating Mega Millions as the largest multi-state jackpot game played in the country. On 31 January 2010, 23 other state lotteries joined Mega Millions as a historic cross-selling agreement between Mega Millions and Powerball took effect. Today, every lottery in the United States participates in Mega Millions, including the Virgin Islands Lottery.
Are there any payout options?
The Mega Millions jackpot winner will have the choice of a cash option or yearly payment. Yearly Payment Option, provides for the first annual payout followed by 29 annual payouts. Every payment is 5 percent higher than its predecessor. Cash Option is a single lump sum payment that is equal to any money in the Mega Millions pool jackpot. The claim parameters of the price differ from state to state.
FAQs
Q. What is the age limit to play Mega Millions?
A. The minimum age for playing Mega Millions varies by state and is between 18 and 21. Players interested in purchasing tickets online must be 18 years of age or older.
Q.Who receives unclaimed prize money for Mega Millions?
A. The Mega Millions unclaimed jackpot prizes remain in the same condition as the winning tickets that were sold.
Q. What are the odds of winning a Mega Millions prize?
A. The chances of winning the jackpot are 1 within 302,575,350. The odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.
