View source for Mega Millions

{{refimprove|date=March 2025}}
{{Short description|American multi-jurisdictional lottery game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox lottery
|name        = Mega Millions
|native_name = 
|native_name_lang = 
|image       = Mega Millions Lottery logo.svg
|alt         = 
|caption     = 
|region      = [[United States]]
|launch_date = {{Start date|1996|31|08}}<ref name=patch>{{cite web|url=https://patch.com/ohio/cleveland/largest-mega-millions-jackpot-history-868-million|title=Mega Millions Winning Numbers For Oct. 19: $1 Billion Jackpot|last=Mosby|first=Chris|website=[[Patch Media|Patch.com]]|date=October 17, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=January 2025}}
|final_date  = 
|operator    = Mega Millions Group<ref name=wp2018>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/10/17/mega-millions-tweaked-odds-create-monster-jackpots-it-worked/|title=How Mega Millions changed the odds to create a record-breaking $1.6 billion jackpot|last=Horton|first=Alex|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=October 21, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref>
|chief       =
|regulator   = 
|legislation = 
|motto       = Across America with Mega Jackpots!
|highest     = $1.602 billion<ref name=jackpots>{{cite web|url=https://www.megamillions.com/About/Jackpot-History.aspx|title=Jackpot History|website= megamillion.us |access-date= March 15, 2024}}</ref>
|odds        = 290,472,336 to 1<ref name="usatoday2025">{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Medora |title=Odds to win the Mega Millions jackpot improve next week, but come with these tax issues |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/taxes/2025/04/04/winning-mega-millions-odds-improve-taxes/82739213007/ |access-date=April 4, 2025 |work=USA Today |date=April 4, 2025}}</ref>
|games       = 
|broadcaster =
|url         = {{URL|https://www.megamillions.com/}}
}}
{{Infobox organization
|name         =
<!-- These parameters don't work with the above template, hence the two templates.-->
|established  = {{ubl|{{start date|2002|05|15}} (as Mega Millions)|{{start date|1996|08|31}} (as The Big Game)<ref name="FirstTicketSales">{{cite press release |date=May 17, 2002 |title=Illinois Big Game Winner Claims $110 Million |url=https://www.megamillions.com/aboutus/press_release.asp?dismode=article&artid=124 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020604114133/http://megamillions.com/aboutus/press_release.asp?dismode=article&artid=124 |archive-date=June 4, 2002 |access-date=January 7, 2025 |website=megamillions.com |publisher=[[PRNewswire]]}}</ref>}}
|defunct      = {{end date|2002|05|14}} (as The Big Game)<ref name="FirstTicketSales"/>
|type         = Lottery drawing 
|headquarters = [[WSB-TV]]/[[Georgia Lottery]] (drawing)<br />Mega Millions Group (administration)
}}

{{Infobox television
| image                =
| image_alt            = 
| genre                = [[Lottery Drawing]]
| creator              =
| director             =
| presenter            = {{Plainlist|
* [[Glenn Burns]]
* Carol Blackmon
* Sabrina Gibbons-Cupit
* John Crow
* Adria Wofford
}}
| announcer =
| theme_music_composer =
| end_theme            = 
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 29
| num_episodes         = 
| executive_producer   = 
| producer             = 
| runtime              = 1 Minute
| location             = Georgia Lottery Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
| company              = [[The Georgia Lottery]]
| network              = Syndicated to [[WSB-TV]], [[WGN-TV]], & [[WABC-TV]] among others
| first_aired          =
| last_aired           = 
}}

'''Mega Millions''' (originally known as '''The Big Game''' in 1996 and renamed, temporarily, to '''The Big Game Mega Millions''' six years later) is an American multijurisdictional [[lottery game]]. The first drawing took place on September 6, 1996, with six participating states, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Virginia. After growth of the game in 1997, a Tuesday Drawing was added in February 1998. As of June 30, 2023, it is offered in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The first (The Big Game) Mega Millions drawing was in 2002. The logo for all versions of the game following the retirement of The Big Game name featured a gold-colored ball with six stars to represent the game's initial membership, although some lotteries insert their respective logos in the ball.

Mega Millions is drawn at 11:00 p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]] on Tuesday and Friday evenings, including holidays.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/mega-millions-results-numbers-40-million-jackpot-tuesday-last-night-1352478|title=Mega Millions Results, Numbers for 3/5/19: Did Anyone Win the $40 Million Jackpot on Tuesday(Last) Night?|last=Perez|first=Maria|work=[[Newsweek]]|date=March 6, 2019|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref> It is administered by a consortium of its 12 original lotteries,<ref name=MMHomeMedia>{{cite web|url=http://www.megamillions.com/media-center |title=Mega Millions Official Home |publisher=Megamillions.com |access-date=December 17, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-10 |title=About Megapari – Important Information About the Bookmaker |url=https://mega-pari.in/about/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |language=en-US}}</ref> the drawings are held at the studios of [[WSB-TV]] in Atlanta, Georgia, supervised by the [[Georgia Lottery]].<ref name=atlanta2018>{{cite web |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/why-mega-millions-dreams-will-come-true-atlanta-studio/zFQYmv8ZujMtHzwNLg5W9J/ |title=Why $1.6B Mega Millions dreams will come true in an Atlanta TV studio |last=Brash |first=Ben |newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|date=October 22, 2018 |access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref> The hosts are John Crow, Carol Blackmon, and Adria Wofford.

Under the current version's regulations (which began April 5, 2025, with the first drawing planned for April 8) for Mega Millions, the minimum Mega Millions advertised [[Progressive jackpot|jackpot]] is $50 million, paid in 30 graduated yearly installments, increasing 5% each year (unless the cash option is chosen). The jackpot increases when no top-prize winner results.<ref name="usatoday2025" />

Reflecting common practice among American [[lottery|lotteries]], the jackpot is advertised as a [[nominal value]] of annual installments. A cash-value option (the usual choice), when chosen by a jackpot winner, pays the approximate [[present value]] of the installments. Mega Millions' previous format began on October 28, 2017; its first drawing was three days later. In the current version of Mega Millions, five white balls are drawn from a pool of 70, and one gold-colored "MegaBall" is drawn from a separate pool of 24; a player must match all six numbers to win the jackpot.

Each game costs $5 (previously $2). Each game includes a multiplier known as the "Megaplier", where the base non-jackpot prize is multiplied by 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10. The Megaplier was made available to all Mega Millions jurisdictions in January 2011 as an add-on which cost an extra $1 per play; it began as an option available only in Texas. Several of the game's members{{which|date=December 2024}} offered an only-the-jackpot option, in which two plays cost $3. None of the lower-tier prizes are in play on such a wager.<ref name=CBS636M>{{cite web| url = http://www.cbsnews.com/news/2-winning-tickets-in-636-million-mega-millions-drawing/| title = 2 winning tickets in $636M Mega Millions drawing|access-date = December 18, 2013 | date = December 18, 2013| publisher =[[CBS News]]/[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref name=MM648M>{{cite web| url = http://www.megamillions.com/news-releases/historic-mega-jackpot-split-by-two-tickets| title = Historic mega-jackpot split by two tickets
| access-date = December 19, 2013 | date = December 18, 2013| publisher = Mega Millions}}</ref>

==The 2010 expansion of Mega Millions and Powerball==
[[File:Mega Millions lottery tickets.JPG|thumb|Mega Millions lottery tickets from New Jersey (left) and New York (right): See below for rule variations among the game's members, including which lotteries offer the Just the Jackpot option]]
On October 13, 2009, the Mega Millions consortium and [[Multi-State Lottery Association]] (MUSL) reached an agreement in principle to cross-sell Mega Millions and [[Powerball]] in American lottery jurisdictions, with the two groups referred to as the "Mega Power Lottery"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldlottery.net/mega-power-lottery.asp |title=Mega Power Lottery |publisher=Worldlottery.net |access-date=December 21, 2011}}</ref> by many users. The expansion occurred on January 31, 2010, as 23 Powerball members began selling Mega Millions tickets for their first drawing on February 2, 2010; likewise, 10 Mega Millions members began selling Powerball tickets for their first drawing the next day. [[Montana]] (joining Mega Millions on March 1, 2010) was the first jurisdiction to add either game after the cross-sell expansion. [[Nebraska]] (March 20, 2010), [[Oregon]] (March 28, 2010), [[Arizona]] (April 18, 2010), [[Maine]] (May 9, 2010), [[Colorado]], and [[South Dakota]] (the latter two on May 16, 2010) also have joined Mega Millions since the expansion.

As of January 2020, 47 lotteries were offering Mega Millions ''and'' Powerball, Florida joined Mega Millions in May 2013. (Puerto Rico, whose lottery began in the 1930s, currently does not offer Mega Millions.) Mississippi began selling lottery tickets in 2019, it joined Mega Millions on January 30, 2020.

Before the agreement, the only stores that sold Mega Millions ''and'' Powerball tickets were retailers whose businesses were on a border between jurisdictions and sold competing games.

The current Mega Millions format began in April 2025. Plays are $5 per game. Each game has an attached, randomly-generated value known as the Megaplier, which multiplies nonjackpot prizes. Multipliers are 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 (a second-prize Megaplier play can win $10 million cash). The Megaplier is not available on Just the Jackpot wagers (where offered).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.megamillions.com/how-to-play|title=Mega Millions|website=www.megamillions.us}}</ref>

==Current Mega Millions members==
[[File:Mega Millions members map.svg|thumb|400px|Map of U.S. states and territories offering Mega Millions, as of November 2022]]

===Mega Millions and Powerball===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Lottery 
!Powerball
!Mega Millions
|-
|[[Arizona Lottery|Arizona]]
|{{dts|April 4, 1994}}
|{{dts|April 18, 2010}}
|-
|[[Arkansas Scholarship Lottery|Arkansas]]
|{{dts|October 31, 2009}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[California State Lottery|California]]
|{{dts|April 8, 2013}}
|{{dts|June 22, 2005}}
|-
|[[Connecticut Lottery|Connecticut]]
|{{dts|November 28, 1995}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Colorado Lottery|Colorado]]
|{{dts|August 2, 2001}}
|{{dts|May 16, 2010}}
|-
|[[Delaware Lottery|Delaware]]
|{{dts|January 14, 1991}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[D.C. Lottery|District of Columbia]]
|{{dts|February 13, 1988}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Florida Lottery|Florida]]
|{{dts|January 4, 2009}}
|{{dts|May 15, 2013}}
|-
|[[Georgia Lottery|Georgia]] (flagship lottery)
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|{{dts|September 6, 1996}}
|-
|[[Idaho Lottery|Idaho]]
|{{dts|February 1, 1990}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Illinois State Lottery|Illinois]]
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|{{dts|September 6, 1996}}
|-
|[[Hoosier Lottery|Indiana]]
|{{dts|October 14, 1990}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Iowa Lottery|Iowa]]
|{{dts|February 13, 1988}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Kansas Lottery|Kansas]]
|{{dts|February 13, 1988}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Kentucky Lottery|Kentucky]]
|{{dts|January 10, 1991}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Louisiana Lottery Corporation|Louisiana]]
|{{dts|March 5, 1995}}
|{{dts|November 16, 2011}}
|-
|[[Maine Lottery|Maine]]
|{{dts|July 30, 2004}}
|{{dts|May 9, 2010}}
|-
|[[Maryland Lottery|Maryland]]
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|{{dts|September 6, 1996}}
|-
|[[Massachusetts Lottery|Massachusetts]]
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|{{dts|September 6, 1996}}
|-
|[[Michigan Lottery|Michigan]]
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|{{dts|September 6, 1996}}
|-
|[[Minnesota State Lottery|Minnesota]]
|{{dts|August 14, 1990}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Mississippi Lottery|Mississippi]]
|{{dts|January 30, 2020}}
|{{dts|January 30, 2020}}
|-
|[[Missouri Lottery|Missouri]]
|{{dts|February 13, 1988}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Montana Lottery|Montana]]
|{{dts|November 9, 1989}}
|{{dts|March 1, 2010}}
|-
|[[Nebraska Lottery|Nebraska]]
|{{dts|July 21, 1994}}
|{{dts|March 20, 2010}}
|-
|[[New Hampshire Lottery|New Hampshire]]
|{{dts|November 5, 1995}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[New Jersey Lottery|New Jersey]]
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|{{dts|May 26, 1999}}
|-
|[[New Mexico Lottery|New Mexico]]
|{{dts|October 20, 1996}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[New York Lottery|New York]]
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|{{dts|May 17, 2002}}
|-
|[[North Carolina Education Lottery|North Carolina]]
|{{dts|May 30, 2006}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[North Dakota Lottery|North Dakota]]
|{{dts|March 25, 2004}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Ohio Lottery|Ohio]]
|{{dts|April 16, 2010}}
|{{dts|May 17, 2002}}
|-
|[[Oklahoma Lottery|Oklahoma]]
|{{dts|January 12, 2006}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Oregon Lottery|Oregon]]
|{{dts|February 13, 1988}}
|{{dts|March 28, 2010}}
|-
|[[Pennsylvania Lottery|Pennsylvania]]
|{{dts|June 29, 2002}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Puerto Rico Lottery|Puerto Rico]]
|{{dts|September 28, 2014}}
|Not offered
|-
|[[Rhode Island Lottery|Rhode Island]]
|{{dts|February 13, 1988}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[South Carolina Education Lottery|South Carolina]]
|{{dts|October 6, 2002}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[South Dakota Lottery|South Dakota]]
|{{dts|November 15, 1990}}
|{{dts|May 16, 2010}}
|-
|[[Tennessee Lottery|Tennessee]]
|{{dts|April 21, 2004}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Texas Lottery|Texas]]
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|{{dts|December 5, 2003}}
|-
|[[Virgin Islands Lottery (US)|US Virgin Islands]]
|{{dts|November 14, 2010}}
|{{dts|October 4, 2010}}
|-
|[[Vermont Lottery|Vermont]]
|{{dts|July 1, 2003}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Virginia Lottery|Virginia]]
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|{{dts|September 6, 1996}}
|-
|[[Washington's Lottery|Washington]]
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|{{dts|September 4, 2002}}
|-
|[[West Virginia Lottery|West Virginia]]
|{{dts|February 13, 1988}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Wisconsin Lottery|Wisconsin]]
|{{dts|August 10, 1989}}
|{{dts|January 31, 2010}}
|-
|[[Wyoming Lottery|Wyoming]]
|{{dts|August 24, 2014}}
|{{dts|August 24, 2014}}
|}

[[Alabama]], [[Alaska]], [[Hawaii]], [[Nevada]], and [[Utah]] do not sell lottery tickets. In 2013, [[Wyoming]] became the 44th state to establish a lottery, the next year, it began, initially offering both Mega Millions and Powerball. In August 2018, a bill establishing a lottery in Mississippi was passed, and sent to its governor for his signature, its lottery began November 25, 2019, with Mississippi joining Mega Millions on January 30, 2020.

In most cases, a lottery joining Mega Millions on or after January 31, 2010, offered Powerball before the MUSL cross-sell expansion.

==History==

===The Big Game===
[[File:Big Game logo.PNG|thumb|left|The Big Game logo prior to the Mega Millions name change]]
Tickets for The Big Game began to be sold in [[Georgia Lottery|Georgia]], [[Illinois]], [[Maryland]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Michigan]], and [[Virginia]] on August 31, 1996. The Big Game was created and designed by Michigan Lottery Commissioner Bill Martin and Illinois Lottery Director Desiree Rogers after having discussions regarding a multistate game with lottery directors [[Rebecca Paul (lottery official)|Rebecca Paul]] of the Georgia Lottery and [[Penelope W. Kyle]] of the Virginia Lottery. The Big Game initially was drawn weekly, on Friday.

The Georgia Lottery was a member of MUSL at the time and wanted to sell both games for the remainder of 1996, but within a few days, Georgia was forcibly removed from MUSL, returning with the 2010 cross-selling expansion.

Beginning in January 1999, jackpot winners were given the option to receive their prize in [[present value|cash]]. In May 1999, New Jersey joined The Big Game, the only jurisdiction to enter as a participant before The Big Game became Mega Millions in 2002.

===The Big Game Mega Millions===
[[File:The Big Game Mega Millions Logo.png|thumb|201px|right|The Big Game Mega Millions logo following the addition of the name ''Mega Millions'']] Ohio and New York joined ''The Big Game'' consortium on May 15, 2002, when the game was renamed ''The Big Game Mega Millions'', temporarily retaining the old name and the original "gold ball" logo. The "Big Money Ball" became the "Mega Ball". While the game's name was altered, the yellow ball in the new Mega Millions logo continued to read "The Big Game" until February 2003, after which it was replaced with six stars representing the original members of the consortium. The first (The Big Game) Mega Millions drawing was held two days later, on May 17. The Mega Millions trademark is owned by the Illinois Lottery.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MEGA MILLIONS Trademark of ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF THE LOTTERY – Registration Number 2807210 – Serial Number 76383945 :: Justia Trademarks |url=http://trademarks.justia.com/763/83/mega-76383945.html |access-date=July 28, 2022 |website=trademarks.justia.com |language=en}}</ref> The first three lotteries to join Mega Millions were Washington (in September 2002), Texas (in 2003), and California (in 2005), California was the last addition to Mega Millions before the cross-sell expansion of 2010. Montana joined Mega Millions on March 1, 2010, the first addition to Mega Millions after the cross-sell expansion.

When Texas joined Mega Millions in 2003, it began offering an option, initially available only to Texas Lottery players, known as the Megaplier, which was similar to Powerball's Power Play. The 11 Mega Millions lotteries without Megaplier on the January 31, 2010, cross-selling date gradually added the multiplier option, by January 2011, all Mega Millions lotteries, except for California, offered the Megaplier. The Texas Lottery owns the trademark to Megaplier.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mainelottery.com/games/megamillions.shtml |title=Mega Millions with Megaplier: Maine State Lottery |publisher=Mainelottery.com |date=September 24, 2013 |access-date=December 18, 2013}}</ref>

On June 24, 2005, to commemorate California joining Mega Millions, that night's drawing was held in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], with [[Carrie Underwood]] assisting host Glenn Burns for the draw.

For the November 15, 2005, drawing, a group called "The Lucky 7" held the only jackpot-winning ticket, purchased in [[Anaheim, California]], winning $315 million. They chose the cash option, splitting $175 million before tax was withheld.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.megamillions.com/winners/winner.asp?bioID=94FAEA2C-A966-44C3-8D6C-620756BEDFBA&startItem=1 |title=California's First Mega Millions Jackpot Winners The Lucky Seven – Claim Prize |publisher=Mega Millions |date=November 18, 2005 |access-date=December 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121134302/http://www.megamillions.com/winners/winner.asp?bioID=94FAEA2C-A966-44C3-8D6C-620756BEDFBA&startItem=1|archive-date=January 21, 2013}}</ref>

On March 6, 2007, the Mega Millions jackpot reached $390 million,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.megamillions.com/winners/jackpothistory.asp |title=Mega Millions Jackpot History |publisher=Megamillions.com |date= September 29, 2013|access-date=December 18, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130929051737/http://www.megamillions.com/winners/jackpothistory.asp| archive-date = September 29, 2013}}</ref> which was then the third-largest jackpot in U.S. history. The jackpot was shared by two tickets, both matching the numbers of 16–22–29–39–42 and Mega Ball 20. Both winners chose the cash option, with each share $116,557,083 before tax was withheld.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.megamillions.com/winners/winner.asp?bioID=3&startItem=1 |title=Rocky Face man wins half of record $390M jackpot |publisher=Megamillions.com |access-date=December 18, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080906160429/http://www.megamillions.com/winners/winner.asp?bioID=3&startItem=1
| archive-date = September 6, 2008
}}</ref> {{Anchor|Cross_selling_anchor}}

===2010 cross-sell expansion===
The New Jersey Lottery, among others, in early 2009 announced it would seek permission to sell Powerball tickets alongside Mega Millions. In October 2009, an agreement between Mega Millions and MUSL allowed all U.S. lotteries, including New Jersey's, to offer both games. On January 31, 2010, Mega Millions expanded to include the 23 MUSL members; as of that date, 35 jurisdictions were participating in Mega Millions. On the same day, 10 existing Mega Millions-participating lotteries began selling Powerball tickets. Ohio joined Powerball on April 16, 2010. On March 1, 2010, Montana became the first MUSL member to add Mega Millions ''after'' the cross-sell expansion. Nebraska became the 37th Mega Millions participating member on March 20, 2010, followed by Oregon as the 38th member on March 28, Arizona as the 39th member on April 18, and Maine as 40th Mega Millions participant on May 9, 2010. Colorado and South Dakota added Mega Millions on May 16, 2010, bringing the total to 42 jurisdictions.

Recent additions to Mega Millions included the U.S. Virgin Islands, in October 2010, and Louisiana in November 2011. Florida joined Mega Millions on May 15, 2013, the first drawing to include Florida-bought tickets was two days later.

Presumably due to their experience with the Power Play option for Powerball, all 23 lotteries joining Mega Millions on January 31, 2010, immediately offered Megaplier to their players. The Megaplier continues to be drawn by Texas Lottery computers, as California does not offer the multiplier. Montana, offering Powerball before the expansion date, became the 24th lottery to offer the Megaplier, followed by Nebraska (the 25th), Oregon (the 26th), Arizona (as the 27th) and Maine (as the 28th lottery to offer the option). After Colorado and South Dakota joined Mega Millions, the number of lotteries offering the Megaplier rose to 37.

Mega Millions tickets bought with the Megaplier option, beginning September 12, 2010, automatically won $1 million (instead of $250,000) if the five white balls – but excluding the Mega Ball – are matched.

On March 13, 2010, New Jersey became the first Mega Millions participant (just before the cross-sell expansion) to produce a jackpot-winning ticket for Powerball after joining that game. The ticket was worth over $211 million annuity (the cash option was chosen). On May 28, 2010, North Carolina became the first Powerball member (just before the cross-selling expansion) to produce a jackpot-winning Mega Millions ticket after joining Mega Millions, with an annuity jackpot of $12 million.

In January 2012, Mega Millions' rival Powerball was altered, among the changes were a price increase of $1 for each play, as a result, a base game costs $2, or $3 with the ''Power Play'' option. The price of a Mega Millions play stayed the same until 2017. The price increase for playing Powerball was a major factor in Louisiana deciding to pursue joining Mega Millions, as that state's lottery joined Mega Millions on November 16, 2011.

===October 2013 format change===
The final 5/56 + 1/46 Mega Millions drawing was held on October 18, 2013, that night's jackpot of $37 million was not won. The first drawing under the revised 5/75 + 1/15 format—which saw the jackpot estimate "leap" to $55 million due to the change in the annuity structure—occurred on October 22, 2013. The minimum jackpot was then $15 million, with rollovers of at least $5 million. Second prize (5+0) became $1 million cash. In the revised format, players chose 5 of 75 white ball numbers, and the "Gold Ball" number out of 15.

The Megaplier option remained, the 5 multiplier was added.

Lower prize tiers (through October 18, 2013) based on a $1 play:
*Match 5+0: $250,000
*Match 4+MB: $10,000
*Match 4+0: $150
*Match 3+MB: $150
*Match 3+0: $7
*Match 2+MB: $10
*Match 1+MB: $3
*Match 0+MB: $2

Payouts in California remained [[Parimutuel betting|parimutuel]].

The odds of winning or sharing a Mega Millions jackpot (October 19, 2013 – October 27, 2017): one in about 258.9 million. The overall odds of winning a prize were one in 14.71, including the base $1 prize for a "Mega Ball"-only match.

Prizes and odds (2013–2017 version) based on a $1 play:
*5 numbers plus the Mega Ball (5+1): Jackpot; 1 in 258,890,850
*5 numbers but not the Mega Ball (5+0): $1,000,000; 1 in 17,259,390
*4+1: $5,000; 1 in 739,688 
*4+0: $500; 1 in 52,835
*3+1: $50; 1 in 10,720
*3+0: $5; 1 in 766
*2+1: $5; 1 in 473
*1+1: $2; 1 in 56
*Mega Ball ''only'': $1; 1 in 21

The odds for winning the $1 prize, 1 in 21, reflected the possibility of matching ''none'' of the white balls, but matching the Mega Ball.

The annuity—which was 20 annual payments (no cash option was available) when ''The Big Game'' began—changed from 26 equal yearly installments to 30 graduated annual payments (increasing 5 percent yearly) with the format change on October 19, 2013.

===October 2017 format/price point change===
On October 28, 2017, the price of a Mega Millions play doubled, to $2, the first drawing under the current price point was October 31, 2017. The Mega Millions double matrix changed, from 5/75 + 1/15 to the current 5/70 + 1/25.<ref>[http://www.blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/274243/mega-millions-lottery-tickets-will-go-from-1-to-2/ Mega Millions lottery tickets will go from $1 to $2]</ref> The starting jackpot became $40 million, with minimum rollovers of $5 million. The "Megaplier" option (which again is not offered in California) was retained, with an adjustment to its multipliers. (The final jackpot for the $1 version was $30 million, which was not won, the initial jackpot for the new version would still be $40 million with a jackpot hit.)

Mega Millions' non-California prize tiers effective October 28, 2017 (old prizes in parentheses, changed amounts in '''boldface''') for a $2 base play:

* 5+MB: Jackpot; '''starting jackpot raised to $40 million (annuity value)'''
* 5+0: $1,000,000 ($1,000,000)
* 4+MB: '''$10,000''' ($5,000)
* 4+0: $500 ($500)
* 3+MB: '''$200''' ($50)
* 3+0: '''$10''' ($5)
* 2+MB: '''$10''' ($5)
* 1+MB: '''$4''' ($2)
* 0+MB: '''$2''' ($1)

The new prize structure allocates roughly 75 percent of the prize pool for the jackpot, this is, in part, to facilitate the new ''Just the Jackpot'' option. The 2013–2017 version allocated about 68 percent towards the jackpot.

==="Just the Jackpot" option===

In preparation for the October 28, 2017, format change, the then-46 Mega Millions members were given the choice of offering a $3, two-game play (called "Just the Jackpot"). A player choosing this option is not eligible for any of the eight lower-tier prizes; therefore, the Megaplier option is not available for "Just the Jackpot" wagers.

These lotteries offered the "Just the Jackpot" option upon the format change: [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[Indiana]], [[Kansas]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Nebraska]], [[New Jersey]], [[New Mexico]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[Ohio]], [[South Dakota]], [[Texas]], [[Virginia]], [[Wisconsin]], and [[Wyoming]]. [[Kentucky]] has since added "Just the Jackpot", with other lotteries potentially adding it. Not known is whether a second series of playslips would be printed for lotteries offering "Just the Jackpot" beginning after the October 28, 2017, format change.

"Just the Jackpot" wagers and regular Mega Millions plays are printed on separate tickets. Most "Just the Jackpot" wagers are terminal-generated; however, ''JtJ'' wagers in Kansas and Texas allow the player to choose their numbers, while Wisconsin players must ask for a terminal-generated ticket.

As of January 2020, there has yet to be a jackpot winner from a ''Just the Jackpot'' wager; there also is no known count of such wagers that would have won second prize (5+0) with a traditional Mega Millions play. It is unknown whether ''Just the Jackpot'' was scrapped after the April 2025 format changes.

===2020 adjustments to jackpot starting point and rollover due to COVID-19===
On April 7, 2020, the Mega Millions starting [[Progressive jackpot|jackpot]] amount was temporarily reset from $40 million to $20 million with the annuity option, with at least a $2 million rollover for each drawing without a jackpot winner, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]]. This was done to enforce [[social distancing]] and discourage crowding of selling venues for large jackpots, and to account for lower interest rates.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/42011475/sales-decline-on-state-and-national-lotteries-adjust-jackpots|title=Lottery Sales Decline, Jackpots Adjusted|last=Mills|first=Wes|date=April 15, 2020|publisher=Inside Indiana Business|access-date=June 2, 2020}}</ref>

===April 2025 format/price point change===
On October 7, 2024, Mega Millions announced a new format that took effect on April 5, 2025, in time for the April 8, 2025 drawing. Plays now cost $5 each, with the Megaplier included in that cost and built into each play. The Megaplier also received a 10× multiplier, increasing the maximum second-prize win to $10 million.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Deliso |first1=Meredith |title=Mega Millions to increase ticket price next year amid overhaul |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/mega-millions-ticket-price-increase/story?id=114580947 |access-date=October 8, 2024 |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=October 8, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The starting jackpot also increased from $20 million to $50 million, and the matrix now features one less Mega Ball.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Mega Millions® arrives in April |url=https://www.megamillions.com/News/2025/New-Mega-Millions%C2%AE-arrives-in-April.aspx |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=www.megamillions.com}}</ref>

==Record jackpots==
Over time, the size of jackpots has increased because of the higher ticket price, the larger number of states participating, and the reduced odds of winning.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/01/13/1148685666/mega-millions-lottery-jackpots-huge-more-common |title=Yes, huge lottery jackpots are less rare now. Here are 5 things to know about them |date=March 22, 2024 |author=Bill Chappell |publisher=[[NPR]]}}</ref>

Mega Millions' largest jackpot of $1.602 billion was won on August 8, 2023, in [[Neptune Beach, Florida|Neptune Beach]], Florida. The jackpot ticket was sold at [[Publix]], and the winner chose the cash option of $794.2 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Record-breaking $1.6 Billion Mega Millions® Jackpot Has Been Claimed |url=https://www.megamillions.com/News/2023/The-Record-breaking-$1-6-Billion-Mega-Millions%C2%AE-Ja.aspx |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=www.megamillions.com}}</ref>

The second-largest Mega Millions jackpot, $1.537 billion, was won on October 23, 2018, by one ticket, sold in South Carolina. The jackpot was claimed on March 5, 2019, with the winner choosing to remain anonymous under South Carolina law.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/03/04/mystery-winner-finally-claims-billion-mega-millions-jackpot-ending-months-speculation/ |title=Mystery winner finally claims $1.5 billion Mega Millions jackpot, ending months of speculation |date=March 5, 2019 |orig-date=2019-03-04 |author1=Eli Rosenberg |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |place=Washington, D.C. |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=1330888409}}{{WaPoCheckDates}}</ref>

The third-largest Mega Millions jackpot worth $1.35 billion was won following the January 13, 2023, drawing, in which one winning ticket was sold in Maine. Notably, this was the first jackpot ticket sold in the state.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maine Gets Its First Mega Millions® Jackpot Win! |url=https://www.megamillions.com/News/2023/Maine-Gets-Its-First-Mega-Millions%C2%AE-Jackpot-Win!.aspx |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=www.megamillions.com}}</ref>

The fourth-largest Mega Millions jackpot worth $1.34 billion was won following the July 29, 2022, drawing, in which one winning ticket was sold in Illinois.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Summer Splendor – Mega Millions® Jackpot Won in Illinois |url=https://www.megamillions.com/News/2022/Summer-Splendor-%E2%80%93-Mega-Millions%C2%AE-Jackpot-Won-in-Il.aspx |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=www.megamillions.com}}</ref>

The fifth-largest Mega Millions jackpot worth $1.22 billion was won following the December 27, 2024 drawing. The winning ticket was sold in [[Cottonwood, California]]. A total of five others won the secondary prize. Two tickets were sold in California, one in Arizona, one in Texas, and one in Missouri.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2024/12/28/mega-millions-california-winner-florida-publix-cash-deadline/77289526007/|title=1 player in California won $1.269 billion Mega Millions: What we know about the winner|date=December 28, 2024|access-date=December 29, 2024|last1=Ferrer|last2=Sangalang|first1=Ashley|first2=Jennifer|website=floridatoday.com|publisher=[[Florida Today]]}}</ref>

The sixth-largest Mega Millions jackpot worth $1.13 billion was won following the March 26, 2024, drawing, in which one winning ticket was sold in New Jersey.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Life Changing $1.13 Billion Mega Millions Jackpot Won in New Jersey |url=https://www.megamillions.com/News/2024/Life-Changing-$1-13-Billion-Mega-Millions-Jackpot.aspx |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=www.megamillions.com}}</ref>

The seventh-largest Mega Millions jackpot advertised as $640 million at the time of the drawing (annuitized) or $462 million (cash value), was drawn on March 30, 2012. The initial estimate for that drawing (following the March 27 drawing, which was $363 million annuity) was $476 million (later increased to $500 million and again to $540 million); brisk ticket sales pushed the jackpot values, both annuitized (to $656 million) and the cash option ($474 million) higher. The amount spent on Mega Millions for drawings following its previous jackpot win, on January 24, 2012, was at least $1.5 [[1,000,000,000|billion]].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=March 31, 2012 |title=Mega Millions mania leads to disappointment in California |author1=Matt Stevens |author2=Carol J. Williams |url=https://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-mega-millions-20120331,0,4521973.story}}</ref> Three jackpot-winning tickets had been confirmed (Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland).<ref>{{cite news|date=March 31, 2012|title=Winning tickets for Mega Millions jackpot sold in Maryland, Illinois|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/31/us/mega-millions/index.html?hpt=hp_t1|access-date=March 31, 2012|work=CNN}}</ref>

Mega Millions' eighth-largest jackpot, $648 million (second-largest won), was for the December 17, 2013, drawing. Two winning tickets, one each from California and Georgia, were sold. The holder of the Georgia ticket claimed the next morning; they selected the cash option, which amounted to $173,819,742.50 before withholdings. The holder of the California ticket claimed the prize on January 3, 2014. (The California ticket holder received an equal share, but potentially a larger cash-option amount, as California lottery winnings are exempt from state income tax.)<ref name=CBS636M /><ref name=MM648M /><ref name=MM648MClaimAtlanta>{{cite web| url = http://www.megamillions.com/news-releases/georgia-mega-millions-jackpot-winner-comes-forward| title = Georgia Mega Millions jackpot winner comes forward| access-date = December 19, 2013 | date = December 18, 2013| publisher = [[Georgia Lottery]] via Mega Millions
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.megamillions.com/winners-gallery/324-million-winner-comes-forward-in-california| title = $324 million winner comes forward in California| access-date = January 13, 2016 | date = January 3, 2014| publisher = [[California Lottery]] via Mega Millions}}</ref>

The July 24, 2018, drawing produced the ninth-largest jackpot (pending the larger one on offer the following October). The annuity value was $543 million, but the holders of the winning ticket, 11 co-workers at a Wells Fargo branch in San Jose, chose to split the $320 million cash lump sum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Mega-Millions-Winners-Return-to-Work-at-Wells-Fargo-in-San-Jose-490197331.html|title=Mega Millions Winners Return to Work at Wells Fargo in San Jose|publisher=[[KNTV|NBC Bay Area]]|date=August 6, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref>

Mega Millions' tenth-largest jackpot, $540 million, was for the July 8, 2016, drawing. One ticket from Indiana won the jackpot; the winner chose the cash option.<ref name=nbcnews2016>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/winning-540-mega-millions-ticket-sold-indiana-n606401|title=Winning $540M Mega Millions Ticket Sold in Indiana|last=Sederholm|first=Jillian|publisher=[[NBC News]]|date=July 9, 2016|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref>

Mega Millions' eleventh-largest jackpot, $533 million, was for the March 30, 2018, drawing. One ticket from New Jersey won the jackpot; Riverdale Lukoil South Gas Station sold the winning ticket.<ref name=usa2018>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/04/02/new-jersey-mega-millions-winner/478412002/|title=Mega Millions jackpot really was $12 million more — $533M — lottery officials say|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=April 2, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref>

==Versions of (The Big Game) Mega Millions==
Versions of The Big Game and Mega Millions have used different matrices:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Starting Date
!Pick 5 White Balls From Field of
!Pick 1 Gold (Mega) Ball From Field of 
!Jackpot odds
|-
|September 6, 1996
| style="text-align:center;"|50
| style="text-align:center;"|25
| style="text-align:right;"|1: 52,969,000
|-
|January 13, 1999
| style="text-align:center;"|50
| style="text-align:center;"|36
| style="text-align:right;"|1: 76,275,360
|-
|May 15, 2002 
| style="text-align:center;"|52
| style="text-align:center;"|52
| style="text-align:right;"|1: 135,145,920
|-
|June 22, 2005
| style="text-align:center;"|56
| style="text-align:center;"|46
| style="text-align:right;"|1: 175,711,536
|-
|October 19, 2013
| style="text-align:center;"|75
| style="text-align:center;"|15
| style="text-align:right;"|1: 258,890,850
|-
|October 28, 2017
| style="text-align:center;"|70
| style="text-align:center;"|25
| style="text-align:right;"|1: 302,575,350
|-
|April 8, 2025
| style="text-align:center;"|70
| style="text-align:center;"|24
| style="text-align:right;"|1: 290,472,336
|}

===Megaplier===
Each individual Mega Millions game has an associated [[Multiplication|multiplier]], called the ''Megaplier''; it is functionally similar to Powerball's ''Power Play'', except the latter limits the second-prize multiplier to 2×. (''Power Play'' is not offered in California because the [[parimutuel]] prize structure required by California law is not compatible with the multiplier, while the ''Megaplier'' wasn't offered in California prior to the April 2025 format change for the same reason) Prior to April 5, 2025, the Megaplier could be activated by adding $1 to a basic Mega Millions game (for a $3 purchase). A player will have their non-jackpot prize multiplied by 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10; the 10X multiplier was introduced with the April 2025 format change. The Megaplier is drawn for each play by a [[random number generator]] (RNG) (before April 2025 it was drawn by the Texas Lottery, who before the cross-sell expansion on January 31, 2010 was the only lottery to offer ''Megaplier''). The odds for each ''Megaplier'' possibility are not uniform.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.molottery.com/mega_millions/mega_millions.jsp |title=Mega Millions :: The official Web site of the Missouri Lottery |publisher=Molottery.com |access-date=December 21, 2011}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Megaplier
!Former odds (October 8, 2017 – April 4, 2025)
!Current odds 
|-
|2×
|1:2
|1:2.13
|-
|3×
|1:1.5
|1:3.2
|-
|4×
|1:4
|1.8
|-
|5×
|1:14
|1:16
|-
|10×
|N/A
|1:32
|}

''Megaplier'' wagers made for drawings from September 12, 2010, through October 18, 2013, that won second prize (then $250,000) were automatically elevated to 4×, winning $1 million. This "guarantee" did not carry over to the following version of Mega Millions, although the $1 million second prize becomes $5 million if the ''Megaplier'' is 5×.

===Winning and probability===

Former Mega Millions odds (October 19, 2013 – October 27, 2017):<ref name=MMHow>{{cite web
| url = http://www.megamillions.com/how-to-play
| title = How To Play
| access-date = December 18, 2013 | publisher = Mega Millions
}}</ref>
{| cellspacing=3; class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Matches<ref name="ReferenceA">Prizes are uniform in all Mega Millions jurisdictions, with the exception of California (where all prizes, including the jackpot, are [[pari-mutuel]], payouts are based on sales and the number of winners of each prize tier). All other Mega Millions members' second through ninth prizes are set amounts, although in rare cases they can be reduced.</ref>
!rowspan=2|Prize
!rowspan=2|Approximate probability of winning
|-
|White balls (pool of 75)
|Mega Ball (pool of 15)
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 5
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:center;"| Jackpot<ref name="ReferenceB">If more than one play wins the jackpot in a given drawing, the prize is divided equally among 5+1 plays. Winners have one year to collect a jackpot share, for other prizes, the deadline also is one year, except in California, where it is 180 days. Other than in and Texas (see below), a jackpot winner has 60 days from either the drawing, or in some jurisdictions, after claiming, to choose cash or annuity. The relative value of actual ''cash'' jackpot share fluctuates. Jackpots began at $15 million (disbursed in 30 graduated annual payments if the annuity is chosen), the corresponding cash value fluctuates depending on interest rates.</ref>
|1 in 258,890,850
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|5
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"| $1 million
|1 in 18,492,204
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|4
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"| $5,000
|1 in 739,688
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|4
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"| $500
|1 in 52,835
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"| $50
|1 in 10,720
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"| $5
|1 in 766
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"| $5
|1 in 473
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"| $2
|1 in 56
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"| $1
|1 in 21
|}
The probability and odds can be taken into a mathematical perspective: The probability of winning the jackpot (through October 27, 2017) was 1:(<sub>75</sub>C<sub>5</sub>) × (15), that is: 75 ways for the first white ball times 74 ways for the second times 73 for the third times 72 for the fourth times 71 for the last white ball '''divided by''' 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1, or [[factorial|5!]], and this number is then multiplied by 15 (15 possible numbers for the "Megaball"). Therefore, (75 × 74 × 73 × 72 × 71)/(5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1) × 15 = 258,890,850, which means any combination of five white balls plus the Megaball has a 1:258,890,850 chance of winning the jackpot. Similarly, the odds for second prize were 1:(<sub>75</sub>C<sub>5</sub>) × (15/14) = 1: 18,492,204 chance of winning. The overall probability of winning any prize was 1 in 14.7. If there are no jackpot winners for a specific drawing, the jackpot will keep increasing; however, the odds will still remain the same.

Payouts through October 18, 2013:
{| cellspacing=3; class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan=2|Matches<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
!rowspan=2|Prize
!rowspan=2|Approximate probability of winning
|-
|White balls (pool of 56)
|Mega Ball (pool of 46)
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 5
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:center;"| Jackpot<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
|1 in 175,711,536 (<sub>56</sub>C<sub>5</sub>×46)<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%2856+choose+5%29*46
| title = (56 choose 5)*46
| access-date = December 18, 2013 | date = December 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.khanacademy.org/math/probability/v/mega-millions-jackpot-probability |publisher=Khan Academy |title=Mega Millions Jackpot Probability |author=Sal Khan}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|5
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"| $250,000
|1 in 3,904,701 (<sub>56</sub>C<sub>5</sub>×46/45)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=((56+choose+5)*46)/((5+choose+5)*(51+choose+0)*45)|title=((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 5)*(51 choose 0)*45) – Google Search|website=www.google.com}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|4
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"| $10,000
|1 in 689,065<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=((56+choose+5)*46)/((5+choose+4)*(51+choose+1))|title=((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 4)*(51 choose 1)) – Google Search|website=www.google.com}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|4
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"| $150
|1 in 15,313<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=((56+choose+5)*46)/((5+choose+4)*(51+choose+1)*45)|title=((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 4)*(51 choose 1)*45) – Google Search|website=www.google.com}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"| $150
|1 in 13,781<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=((56+choose+5)*46)/((5+choose+3)*(51+choose+2))|title=((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 3)*(51 choose 2)) – Google Search|website=www.google.com}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"| $10
|1 in 844<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=((56+choose+5)*46)/((5+choose+2)*(51+choose+3))|title=((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 2)*(51 choose 3)) – Google Search|website=www.google.com}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"| $7
|1 in 306<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=((56+choose+5)*46)/((5+choose+3)*(51+choose+2)*45)|title=((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 3)*(51 choose 2)*45) – Google Search|website=www.google.com}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"| $3
|1 in 141<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=((56+choose+5)*46)/((5+choose+1)*(51+choose+4))|title=((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 1)*(51 choose 4)) – Google Search|website=www.google.com}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|0
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"| $2
|1 in 74.8 (the probability for this prize was not 1:46, because there is the possibility of matching at least one of the "white" balls, which decreases the likelihood of matching ''only'' the "Mega Ball")<ref name=MMHow />
|}

Overall probabilities: 1 in 755 of winning any of the top six prizes,<ref name=MMHow /> 1 in 40 of winning any prize.<ref name="Lotto numbers">{{Cite web |url=http://www.lottonumbers.net/usa/megamillions/ |title=Lotto Numbers |access-date=December 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111212014739/http://www.lottonumbers.net/usa/megamillions/ |archive-date=December 12, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In California, prize levels are paid on a [[parimutuel]] basis, rather than the fixed lower-tier amounts for winners in other Mega Millions jurisdictions. California's eight lower-tier Mega Millions prize pools are separate from those shared by the other 45 lotteries. California's second prize is a "secondary jackpot," its payout sometimes exceeds $1 million cash, even though California did not offer the ''Megaplier'' until the April 2025 format changes.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://static.www.calottery.com/~/media/Publications/Lottery_Regulations/Regulations%20Approved%2009-27-12%20Hot%20Spot.pdf
| title = CA Lottery Regulations
| access-date = December 18, 2013 | date = September 27, 2012| publisher = [[California Lottery]]
}}</ref>

===Payment options and claiming prizes===
In [[New Jersey Lottery|New Jersey]] and [[Texas Lottery|Texas]] lotteries, players must choose, in advance, whether they wish to collect a jackpot prize in cash or annuity. New Jersey winners can change an annuity ticket to cash should they be eligible to claim a jackpot, but the choice is binding in Texas.
The other Mega Millions members allow the cash/annuity choice to be made after winning (usually 60 days after claiming the ticket), although in Florida, the 60-day "clock" starts with the drawing in which the jackpot prize was won.

If a jackpot prize is not claimed within the respective jurisdiction's time limit, each of the 46 Mega Millions members gets back the money they contributed to that jackpot. Each of the 46 lotteries has rules in regards to unclaimed prizes, most Mega Millions members set aside unclaimed winnings for educational purposes.<ref>{{cite web |author=kowens |url=http://www.calottery.com/Games/MegaMillions/howtoplay/faq.html#q13 |title=Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=Calottery.com |date=October 20, 2011 |access-date=December 21, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207112904/http://www.calottery.com/Games/MegaMillions/howtoplay/faq.html#q13 |archive-date=December 7, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.michigan.gov/lottery/0,1607,7-110-1227-4242--F,00.html |title=What Happens to Unclaimed Prizes? |publisher=Michigan.gov |date=February 1, 2010 |access-date=December 21, 2011}}</ref>

In 2007, a $31 million prize went unclaimed in New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/12/06/many_major_us_lottery_prizes_unclaimed/3678/ |title=Many major U.S. lottery prizes unclaimed |publisher=UPI.com |date=December 6, 2007 |access-date=December 21, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222000410/http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/12/06/many_major_us_lottery_prizes_unclaimed/3678/ |archive-date=February 22, 2008 }}</ref> Many prizes of $250,000 each have been unclaimed, including several in Michigan for 2007 drawings.<ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/lottery/0,1607,7-110-46442_812_967---,00.html Michigan.gov <!-- Bot generated title -->], Lottery – Top Unclaimed Prizes</ref>

Mega Millions winners have either 180 days (California nonjackpot prizes only) or one year to claim prizes, including the jackpot (although some Mega Millions winners lose the right to collect a jackpot in cash if they wait more than 60 days after the drawing).

The minimum age to purchase a Mega Millions ticket is 18, except in [[Arizona Lottery|Arizona]], [[Iowa Lottery|Iowa]], [[Louisiana Lottery (modern)|Louisiana]], and Mississippi, where the minimum age is 21, in [[Nebraska Lottery|Nebraska]], it is 19. Generally (an exception is Virginia), minors can win on tickets received as gifts, the rules according to each Mega Millions member vary for minors receiving prizes.

Rules vary according to the applicable laws and regulations in the jurisdiction where the ticket is sold, and the winner's residence (e.g., if New Jerseyans win on a ticket bought near their workplace in Manhattan). Mega Millions winnings are exempt from state [[income tax]] in California, while Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming do not have an income tax. Some residents of New York City and [[Yonkers, New York]], pay ''three'' levels of income tax, as these cities levy income taxes.

==Drawings==
Drawings are usually held at the studios of [[WSB-TV]] in Atlanta, Georgia.<ref name=atlanta2018 /><ref name="Mega Million Drawing Time">{{cite web
| url = http://www.megamillionsdrawingtime.com/
| title = Mega Millions Drawing Time
| access-date = December 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719224837/http://www.megamillionsdrawingtime.com/|archive-date=July 19, 2013
}} 11:00 p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]] on Tuesdays and Fridays</ref> The original host was WSB's chief meteorologist, [[Glenn Burns]]. Since 2008, the drawings have been emceed by the hosts of the Georgia Lottery drawings John Crow,<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/on-television/watching-lottery-drawings-in-an-age-of-plutocracy|title=Watching Lottery Drawings in an Age of Plutocracy|first=Troy|last=Patterson|magazine=The New Yorker|date=October 23, 2018}}</ref> Atlanta radio host Carol Blackmon<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Georgia House Resolution 1658|url=https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20152016/160030|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108170805/https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20152016/160030|archive-date=January 8, 2021|access-date=|website=}}</ref> and Adria Wofford. Sabrina Cupit<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cupit|first=Sabrina|title=Sabrina Cupit|url=https://www.wsbradio.com/author/sabrina-cupit/|access-date=January 6, 2021|website=95.5 WSB|language=en}}</ref> originally served as the secondary host if neither Crow or Blackmon are available. In 2022, Cupit was replaced by Wofford. In 2023, Wofford was promoted to co-host serving alongside Crow while Blackmon was demoted to back-up host if neither primary host is available. Drawings are supervised by Lottery Security and certified by Preston, CPA.

Crow usually begins each drawing with “Let's see if I can make you a millionaire tonight.”<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bella |first=Timothy |date=2022-05-13 |title=A Mega Millions host mangled the winning number. Some still got paid. |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/05/13/mega-millions-wrong-number-lottery-crow/ |access-date=2023-07-16 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> or “Let's see you can win some money!” and signs off with "Play on, America!"

Before the January 31, 2010, cross-sell expansion, Mega Millions was the only multi-jurisdictional lottery whose drawings were carried nationally, instead of airing only on stations in participating jurisdictions. Chicago-based cable [[superstation]] [[WGN-TV]] simulcast Mega Millions drawings on its national [[WGN America]] feed immediately following WGN's 9:00 p.m. [[Central Time Zone|Central Time]] newscast. Following the cross-sell expansion, WGN also began airing Powerball drawings nationally. WGN served as a default carrier of both major games where no local television station carried either multi-jurisdictional lottery's drawings. Both drawings were removed from WGN America in late 2014 when it ceased carrying WGN's newscasts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-wgna-lottery-1215-biz-20141212-story.html|title=WGN America dropping Illinois Lottery drawings|last=Channick|first=Robert|date=December 12, 2014|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=January 15, 2015|publisher=Tribune Publishing}}</ref>

Two machines are used in each Mega Millions drawing. The model used for Mega Millions is the Criterion II, manufactured by Smartplay International of [[Edgewater Park, New Jersey]]. The balls are moved around by means of counter-rotating arms which randomly mix the balls. Individually, the five white balls, several seconds apart, drop through a hole in the bottom of the mixing drum.

== Record jackpots (listed by annuity value) ==
{{see also|Lottery jackpot records}}

{|class="sortable wikitable"
|- style="background:#efefef;"
|Cash value (in millions USD)
|Annuity value (in millions USD)
!Drawing date
!Winner(s)
!Description
|-
|$783.3
|$1,602
|August 8, 2023
|1 ([[Florida Lottery|FL]])
|Largest annuity jackpot, second largest cash value jackpot
|-
|-
|$878
|$1,537
|October 23, 2018<ref name=cbcnews2018 />
|1 ([[South Carolina Education Lottery|SC]])
|Second largest annuity jackpot, largest cash value jackpot
|-
|-
|$723.5
|$1,348
|January 13, 2023<ref>{{Cite web |last=AustinW |date=2023-01-17 |title=$1.348 BILLION Jackpot goes to Maine |url=https://us-megamillions.com/news/1-348-billion-jackpot-goes-to-maine/ |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=US Mega Millions |language=en-US}}</ref>
|1 ([[Maine|ME]])
|Third largest jackpot (annuity)
|-
|$780.5<ref>{{Cite web |title=2 people come forward to claim $1.337 billion Mega Millions jackpot — the nation's third-largest lottery prize |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mega-millions-winners-claim-1-337-billion-prize-illinois/ |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=September 21, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|$1,337
|July 29, 2022
|1 ([[Illinois Lottery|IL]])
|Fourth largest jackpot (annuity)
|-
|$572
|$1,270
|December 27, 2024<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vaziri |first=Aidin |date=January 6, 2025 |title=Holder of $1.27 billion lottery ticket, sold in Shasta County, still a secret |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/holder-1-27-billion-ticket-sold-shasta-county-20018654.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250106213553/https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/holder-1-27-billion-ticket-sold-shasta-county-20018654.php |archive-date=January 6, 2025 |access-date=January 7, 2025 |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]}}</ref>
|1 ([[California Lottery|CA]])
|
|-
|$537.5
|$1,130
|March 26, 2024
|1 ([[New Jersey Lottery|NJ]])
|
|-
|$739.6
|$1,000
|January 22, 2021
|1 ([[Michigan Lottery|MI]])
|
|-
|$452.2
|$980.0
|November 15, 2025
|1 ([[Georgia Lottery|GA]])
|
|-
|$474
|$656
|March 30, 2012
|3 ([[Maryland Lottery|MD]], [[Kansas Lottery|KS]], [[Illinois|IL]])
|
|-
|$347.7<ref name="MM648MClaimAtlanta" />
|$648<ref name="MM648M" />
|December 17, 2013
|2 (CA, [[Georgia Lottery|GA]])
|
|-
|$320
|$543
|July 24, 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/03/group-of-co-workers-are-winners-of-543-million-mega-millions-jackpot.html|title=A group of 11 co-workers are the winners of a $543 million Mega Millions jackpot. Here's what to do if you get lucky|last=O’Brien|first=Sarah|publisher=[[CNBC]]|date=August 3, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref>
| 1 (CA)
|
|-
|$378
|$536
|July 8, 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/536-million-jackpot-finally-claimed-indiana-couple-forgot/story?id=40992617|title=$536 Million Jackpot Finally Claimed by Indiana Couple who Forgot They Bought Tickets|last=Tan|first=Avianne Tan|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=July 29, 2016|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref><ref name=nbcnews2016 />
|1 ([[Hoosier Lottery|IN]])
|
|-
|$324.6
|$533
|March 30, 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/14/us/mega-millions-winner/index.html|title=He won the $533 million Mega Millions jackpot the second time he played|last=Chavez|first=Nicole|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=April 14, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref><ref name=usa2018 />
|1 ([[New Jersey Lottery|NJ]])
|
|-
|$282
|$451
|January 5, 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lottoexposed.com/shane-missler-the-20-year-old-who-scooped-an-incredible-lottery-win/|title=Shane Missler: The 20 Year Old Who Scooped an Incredible Lottery Win|website=lottoexposed.com|date=October 3, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mega-millions-jackpot-20-year-old-florida-man-claims-451-million/|title=20-year-old Florida man claims $451M Mega Millions jackpot|publisher=[[CBS News]]|date=January 12, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref>
| 1 ([[Florida Lottery|FL]])
|
|-
|$262
|$437
|January 1, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/mega-millions-jackpot-long-island-1.27483217|title=LI co-workers split record $437M Mega Millions jackpot|last1=Kitchen|first1=Patricia|last2=Uda|first2=Rachel|newspaper=[[Newsday]]|date=February 20, 2019|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref>
|1 ([[New York Lottery|NY]])
|
|-
|$231
|$414
|March 18, 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/marylander-quietly-claims-part-of-414-million-lottery-jackpot-prize/2014/05/07/d9ecd6ba-d5ce-11e3-8a78-8fe50322a72c_story.html|title=Marylander quietly claims part of $414 million lottery jackpot prize|last=Hedgpeth|first=Dana|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=May 7, 2014|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref>
|2 ([[Maryland Lottery|MD]], [[Florida Lottery|FL]])
|
|-
|$247.3
|$393
|August 11, 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/12/heres-the-tax-bill-on-that-393-million-mega-millions-win.html|title=Here's the tax bill on that $393 million Mega Millions win|last=Grant|first=Kelli B.|website=[[CNBC]]|date=August 12, 2017|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref>
|1 ([[Illinois State Lottery|IL]])
|
|-
|$240
|$380
|January 4, 2011
|2 ([[Idaho Lottery|ID]], [[Washington's Lottery|WA]])
|
|-
|$233
|$390
|March 6, 2007
|2 ([[Georgia Lottery|GA]], [[New Jersey Lottery|NJ]])
|
|-
|$224
|$400
|March 18, 2014
|2 ([[Florida Lottery|FL]], [[Maryland Lottery|MD]])
|
|-
|$210
|$336
|August 28, 2009
|2 (CA, NY)
|NY winner chose annuity (the cash/annuity choice made "when playing" required per NY Lottery rules at the time)
|-
|$208.3
|$330
|August 31, 2007
|4 ([[New Jersey Lottery|NJ]], [[Maryland Lottery|MD]], [[Texas Lottery|TX]], [[Virginia Lottery|VA]])
|
|-
|$197.5
|$326
|November 4, 2014
|1 ([[New York (state)|NY]])
|Sold in [[Middletown, Orange County, New York|Middletown]], Orange County<ref>{{cite news| url=https://tirage-gagnant.com/7659/gagnant-de-321-million-de-dollars-megamillions-new-yorkais | title=The Megamillions Jackpot with 321 millions dollars win in New York stats}}</ref>
|- 
|$202.9
|$319
|March 25, 2011
|1 ([[Albany, NY]])
|
|-
|$180
|$363
|May 9, 2000
|2 ([[Illinois Lottery|IL]], [[Michigan Lottery|MI]])
|Largest ''The Big Game'' jackpot
|}

==Revenue==
Approximately 50% of Mega Millions sales is returned to players as prizes, the remainder is split (each lottery has different rules regarding these funds) among retailers, marketing, and operations, as well as the 47 jurisdictions offering the game, different lotteries use the proceeds in different ways.<ref name=cbcnews2018>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/where-does-mega-millions-money-go-after-the-jackpot/ | publisher=[[CBS News]] | title=Single ticket wins record $1.537 billion Mega Millions jackpot in South Carolina|last=Martinez|first=Peter|date=October 25, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref>

==Miscellany==
In 2005, Mega Millions was the target of a mailing scam. A letter bearing the Mega Millions logo was used in a string of lottery scams designed to trick people into providing personal financial information by cashing bogus checks. The letter, which had been sent to people in several states via standard mail, included a check for what the scammers said was an unclaimed Mega Millions prize. If the check was cashed, it bounced, but not before the bank stamped it with a routing number and personal account information and sent it back to the fraudulent organization, providing them with the recipients' financial information.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scamfraudalert.com/f23/mega-millions-logo-officials-warn-lottery-scams-5259/ |title=Mega Millions Logo Officials Warn of Lottery scams |publisher=ScamFraudAlert |date=November 28, 2011 |access-date=December 21, 2011}}</ref>

A budget impasse due to the [[2006 New Jersey Government shutdown]] led to the temporary closing of its non-essential agencies on July 1, 2006. Among the casualties were the [[Atlantic City]] casinos and the [[New Jersey Lottery]]. Not only were New Jersey's in-house games (such as [[New Jersey Pick 6|Pick-6]]) not drawn for about a week, but all New Jersey lottery terminals were shut down, meaning Mega Millions could not be played in New Jersey, even though Mega Millions was drawn as usual. A similar shutdown happened in [[Minnesota]] on July 1, 2011.

Elecia Battle made national headlines in January 2004 when she claimed that she had lost the winning ticket in the December 30, 2003, Mega Millions drawing.<ref name="bbcnews">{{cite news | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3373077.stm| title = Women argue over 'lost' jackpot | publisher = BBC News | date = January 6, 2004 | access-date = February 19, 2008}}</ref> She then filed a lawsuit against the woman who had come forward with the ticket, Rebecca Jemison. Several days later, when confronted with contradictory evidence, she admitted that she had lied.<ref name="nyt_false">{{cite news| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE4D81F31F93AA35752C0A9629C8B63| title = Midwest: Ohio: Apology For Lottery Claim | work = The New York Times | date = January 9, 2004 | access-date = February 19, 2008}}</ref> Battle was charged with filing a false police report the following day. As a result of this false report, she was fined $1,000, ordered to perform 50 hours of community service, and required to compensate the police and courts for various costs incurred.<ref name="nyt_conviction">{{cite news | url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E0DA1738F934A35757C0A9629C8B63 | title = Midwest: Ohio: Lottery Tale Costs Her $6,596 | work = The New York Times | date = April 7, 2004 | access-date = February 19, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=History and bookmaker scandals |url=https://888starz.co.in/blog |date=13 September 2023}}</ref>

The January 4, 2011, Mega Millions drawing drew attention for its similarity to "[[The Lost numbers|The Numbers]]," a sequence of six numbers that served as a plot device of the ABC drama series ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]''. One such usage involved character [[Hugo "Hurley" Reyes]] playing the sequence in a similar "Mega Lotto" game, winning a nine-figure jackpot and subsequently experiencing numerous misfortunes in his personal life. The first three numbers (4, 8, 15) and mega ball (42) in the Mega Millions drawing matched the first three numbers and the final number (which Hurley also used as the "mega ball" number) in the ''Lost'' sequence. The last two numbers in the Mega Millions drawing did not match the last two numbers that were used in the scene. Those who played "The Numbers," including from quick-picks, won $150 ($118 in California) in a non-''Megaplier'' game, $600 with the multiplier<!--California has never offered the Megaplier-->.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://qctimes.com/news/local/winners-for-m-lottery-sold-in-washington-idaho/article_0c7461da-1902-11e0-8f70-001cc4c03286.html|title=2 winners for $380M lottery sold in Washington, Idaho|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|date=January 5, 2011|access-date=March 31, 2019|via=[[Quad-City Times]]}}</ref>

On May 11, 2022, Crow incorrectly called the mega ball number as a "6" instead of the actual "9," the numbers printed on the ball have an underline to denote their correct orientation. The New York Lottery paid $5,538 to customers before discovering the error.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ebrahimji |first=Alisha |date=2022-05-12 |title=Some Mega Millions players claim prizes after host calls out wrong number |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/12/us/mega-millions-wrong-number-announced/index.html |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.megamillions.com/}}
* [http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/phone/prizes.shtm Telemarketing and Telephone Services: Prizes & Sweepstakes] on the [[U.S. Federal Trade Commission]] website
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080220071632/http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/sweepsalrt.shtm New Spin On Sweepstakes Scams] on U.S. Federal Trade Commission website

{{U.S. lotteries}}

[[Category:1996 in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:1996 introductions]]
[[Category:Georgia Lottery]]
[[Category:Lottery games in the United States]]
[[Category:Lottery monopolies]]
[[Category:Mega Ball lottery games]]