When is the Next Drawing for Mega Millions?
What is the Mega Millions Lottery?
The Mega Millions lottery is a multi-state lottery game with jackpots that often reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars. The game is offered in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Players pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers—five different numbers from 1 to 70 and one number from 1 to 25—or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick. The jackpot is won by matching all six numbers. Players who match three, four, or five of the winning numbers win smaller prizes. The overall odds of winning a prize are approximately 1 in 24.
When is the Next Drawing?
The Mega Millions drawing happens every Tuesday and Friday night at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Players can purchase tickets until 10:45 p.m. Eastern Time on the night of the drawing. The cutoff time for ticket sales varies from state to state. Players should check their state's lottery website for the cutoff time in their area.
How Much is the Jackpot?
The amount of the Mega Millions jackpot varies from draw to draw. The amount of the jackpot is determined by the number of tickets sold and the amount of money that is rolled over from previous drawings. The minimum jackpot is set at $40 million and increases by a minimum of $5 million for each rollover. The jackpot can go as high as $1 billion, with the current record jackpot being $1.537 billion, which was won in October 2018.
What Are the Prizes?
In addition to the jackpot, there are eight other ways to win a prize in Mega Millions. Players who match three, four, or five of the winning numbers win smaller prizes. The prize amounts vary depending on the number of tickets sold for the drawing and the number of winners in each prize tier. The overall odds of winning any prize are approximately 1 in 24.
Where Can I Play?
Mega Millions tickets are sold in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is not available in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, and Utah. Players can purchase tickets from authorized retailers in their state. Players can also purchase tickets online in some states. Players should check the lottery website in their state for more information.
How Can I Play?
Players can choose their own numbers or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick, which randomly selects numbers for them. Players can purchase tickets until 10:45 p.m. Eastern Time on the night of the drawing. The cutoff time for ticket sales varies from state to state. Players should check their state's lottery website for the cutoff time in their area.
How Do I Claim My Prize?
Players who win a prize of $600 or more must claim their prize at a lottery office or by mail. Players who win a Mega Millions jackpot of $1 million or more must claim their prize in person at a lottery office. Players should check the lottery website in their state for more information on how to claim their prize.
Conclusion
The next drawing for the Mega Millions lottery will take place on Tuesday and Friday night at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The jackpot amount varies from draw to draw, with a minimum jackpot of $40 million and the potential to reach up to $1 billion. The overall odds of winning any prize are approximately 1 in 24. Tickets can be purchased from authorized retailers in the 44 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands where the game is played.