Mega Millions® is a multi-state jackpot game. Drawings are held at 10 p.m. CST every Tuesday and Friday. Draw sales end at 9:45 p.m. CST Tuesday and Friday. Five numbered balls are drawn from 1 to 70 and one numbered ball is drawn from 1 to 25. If all your numbers match those that are drawn, you win the jackpot, which starts at an amount set by MUSL and grows until someone wins. If other players also match all six numbers, the prize will be shared in equal amounts. Each Mega Millions® play is $2. For an additional dollar, you can add the Megaplier® option to multiply non-jackpot winnings by 2, 3, 4 or 5 times.
MEGA MILLIONS® FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Playing Mega Millions®
Q: Where is Mega Millions® drawn?
A: Mega Millions® drawings are held in Atlanta, Georgia. Past draws are available to watch online here: https://www.youtube.com/user/megamillions46
Q: Is it possible for the Megaball® number to be the same as one of the five white ball numbers?
A: Yes. The five white ball numbers and the one Megaball® number are drawn from separate sets of balls, so the Megaball® number could be the same as one of the white ball numbers.
Q: Which has better odds — picking my own numbers or requesting a Quick Pick?
A: Whether you pick your own numbers or have the terminal randomly select numbers for you, the odds of winning are the same.
Q: What is the Megaplier®?
A: Megaplier® can be added to any Mega Millions® play as an option to increase non-jackpot winnings up to five times. A multiplier of 2, 3, 4 or 5 is randomly selected during the drawing for determining Megaplier® prizes.
Points for Prizes®
Q: Can I enter non-winning Mega Millions® tickets in Points for Prizes®?
A: Yes. Winning and non-winning numbers from terminal-generated games like Mega Millions® are eligible. Visit https://theclub.aslplayerservices.com/pia to enter and add Points for Prizes® points to your account. Points for Prizes® codes from terminal-generated games not associated with a draw must be entered within 180 days of purchase date whereas draw related games are based on the last draw date printed on the front of the ticket. Look for the 20 digit Points for Prizes Code.
Purchasing Tickets
Q: How much do Mega Millions® tickets cost?
A: Mega Millions® tickets cost $2 per play. The Megaplier® option costs an additional $1 per play.
Q: Can I purchase Mega Millions® tickets in advance?
A: To play multiple upcoming draws, request from 2 to 20 Multi Draws either on the playslip or through the retailer. Multi Draws will include the next upcoming draw and be consecutive from that draw. Draws cannot be skipped.
Q: How late can I purchase Mega Millions® tickets on a draw night?
A: Mega Millions® sales are suspended 15 minutes prior to the draw.
Q: Can a Mega Millions® ticket be voided or canceled?
A: No. Once a Mega Millions® ticket has been printed, it cannot be canceled.
Q: Can I buy Mega Millions® tickets online or by mail?
A: No. Mega Millions® tickets must be purchased from a licensed lottery retailer.
Prizes and Claims
Q: Do Mega Millions® tickets expire?
A: Prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date on which the prize was won.
Q: Do I have to match the numbers in the exact order drawn?
A: No. The order of the five white balls drawn does not matter, but the Megaball® must match the Megaball® number on the ticket.
Q: Can I redeem a winning Mega Millions® ticket in any state?
A: Although the winning numbers are the same in all Mega Millions® states, a ticket must be redeemed in the state in which it was purchased.
Q: I lost my ticket. Can I claim a prize with a playslip or store receipt?
A: Mega Millions® prizes can only be claimed with a ticket printed from the lottery terminal. Playslips or store receipts will not constitute proof of purchase. Lottery tickets are bearer instruments, meaning the person who presents the ticket for claim will be presumed to be the owner. Always sign the back of any lottery ticket immediately. If you lose a ticket before you sign it, you no longer have valid ownership of the ticket.
Q: If the Megaball® is drawn from a set of 25 balls, why are the odds of winning with just the Megaball® not 1 to 25?
A: The odds of winning the $2 prize for matching just the Megaball® are 1 in 37 because the odds are a combination of 1.) matching the Megaball® and 2.) not matching any of the white ball numbers. The odds of matching the Megaball® and one white ball are 1 in 89.
Mega Millions® Jackpot
Q: What happens if more than one person wins the jackpot?
A: If there is more than one jackpot-winning ticket, the prize will be split equally among the winners.
Q: Why does a jackpot winner receive a smaller amount than the advertised jackpot?
A: The advertised jackpot is the total amount won if a winner selects an annuity over 30 annual payments (29 years). The amount of cash on hand is actually less than that and the advertised jackpot is what the cash on hand would total if invested over the 29 years. If a player chooses a lump sum, the player does not receive the interest that the cash on hand would have earned over 29 years. Applicable withholding taxes will also be deducted.
Q: What happens if the jackpot is not claimed?
A: If the jackpot is not claimed within the time frame set by the jurisdiction in which it was won (180 days in Arkansas), the jackpot funds will be returned to the states based on each state’s proportion of the sales that contributed to that jackpot.
Q: What happens if an annuity prizewinner dies?
A: Annual prize payments can continue to be paid to the winner’s heirs, or the annuity may be cashed out by the estate.
For more information, please visit www.megamillions.com
Friday December 20, 2024