When Is the Draw for Mega Millions?
What Is the Mega Millions Lottery?
The Mega Millions lottery is one of the most popular lottery games in the US. It is a multi-state lottery game that is played in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands. Players must pick five numbers from 1-70 and one Mega Ball number from 1-25. The Mega Millions jackpot starts at $40 million and can grow to as much as $1 billion. The drawing is held twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday nights, at 11 p.m. Eastern Time.
When Is the Draw for Mega Millions?
The draw for the Mega Millions lottery is held twice a week on Tuesday and Friday nights at 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Ticket sales close at 10:45 p.m. Eastern Time on the night of the draw and reopen at 12:15 a.m. Eastern Time the following morning. The draw is held at the WSB-TV studios in Atlanta, Georgia and is broadcast live on the lottery’s website, as well as on television stations across the country.
How to Play Mega Millions?
To play Mega Millions, players must select five numbers from 1-70 and one Mega Ball number from 1-25. Players can select their own numbers, or they can choose the Quick Pick option and have the computer randomly select their numbers. The cost of a single ticket is $2. Players can purchase tickets up to 10 drawings in advance. Tickets must be purchased by 10:45 p.m. Eastern Time on the night of the draw.
How to Win the Mega Millions Jackpot?
To win the Mega Millions jackpot, players must match all five numbers and the Mega Ball. The jackpot prize is paid out in 30 annual installments, or players can choose to receive the full amount in one lump-sum payment. The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350.
What Are the Other Prizes in the Mega Millions?
In addition to the jackpot, there are eight other prize tiers ranging from $2 to $1 million. To win any of the other prizes, players must match at least three of the five numbers and the Mega Ball. The odds of winning any of the other prizes are 1 in 24.
How Do I Claim a Prize?
Prizes can be claimed at any participating lottery retailer or at a lottery office in the state where the ticket was purchased. For prizes over $600, players must submit a claim form to the lottery office. For prizes over $25,000, players must visit the lottery office in person and provide the winning ticket and valid identification. All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date.
What Is the Megaplier Option?
The Megaplier option is available in all participating states for an additional $1 per ticket. When players select the Megaplier option, any non-jackpot prizes they win are multiplied by the Megaplier number, which could be 2, 3, 4, or 5. The Megaplier number is drawn separately from the main draw and is announced after the main draw.
How Is the Mega Millions Funded?
The Mega Millions lottery is funded by the participating states. Each state receives a portion of the sales generated by tickets sold in its jurisdiction. The funds are then used to support state programs such as education, health care, and public safety.