Mega Millions Lottery Guide: Jackpots, Rules & Winners https://www.qingquanwang.com/blog/mega-millions/ Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:05:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://www.qingquanwang.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Mega Millions Lottery Guide: Jackpots, Rules & Winners https://www.qingquanwang.com/blog/mega-millions/ 32 32 What is the Old Mega Millions Megaplier? https://www.qingquanwang.com/blog/mega-millions/megaplier/ Sun, 19 Apr 2026 06:46:04 +0000 https://blog.qingquanwang.com/?p=16344 The Megaplier was an optional add-on feature on a Mega Millions lottery ticket.

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What is the Old Mega Millions Megaplier?
TheLotter » TheLotter Blog » Mega Millions

Still curious about how the Megaplier worked? If so, see the below article, which was written before the changes took place.

How Does the Megaplier Work?

Mega Millions lottery draws take place twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. To participate in the draw, all you have to do is select five main numbers from 1-70, and one Mega Ball number from 1-25. When you purchase your tickets you have the option of including the Megaplier in your lottery entry. Mark the Megaplier multiplier box and you’re on your way. There is an extra cost per line, it’s true, but there’s also the chance that you could multiply your prize by as much as five times when you win.

Do You Need the Megaplier to Win the Jackpot?

Mega Millions’ second division prize, normally set at US$1,000,000, can be increased to as much as US$5,000,000! All you have to do is include the Megaplier option with your ticket to potentially increase your non-jackpot winnings by 2, 3, 4, or 5 times, depending on the Megaplier randomly selected for the draw.

For example, if you match the five main numbers in the draw you would normally win a second-tier Match 5 prize of US$1,000,000. However if you played the Megaplier and the Megaplier selected was “3”, your Match 5 prize would be worth US$3,000,000.

Linda Evans from Dry Fork, Virginia, matched the five main numbers in the Mega Millions draw on 13 December 2016, entitling her to a US$1 million second division prize. However, Ms. Evans’s winnings came out to US$5 million. Her prize was multiplied by five because she included the Mega Millions Megaplier on her winning ticket and “5” was the Megaplier selected for the draw.

In the Mega Millions draw on 16 August 2016, Reg Abare from Barre, Vermont, matched the five main numbers, falling just short of winning the jackpot. For his second division win, Abare usually would have been entitled to a US$1 million prize but Abare had added the Megaplier. The Megaplier selected for the draw was “5” and therefore Abare’s prize was US$5 million.

One thing all these second division winners had in common is that they added the Mega Millions Megaplier when they purchased their lottery tickets.

How Much Does the Megaplier Boost Secondary Prizes?

Playing with the Megaplier option does will not affect the size of the jackpot. The Megaplier number selected for the draw defines the size of the non-jackpot prizes, as can be seen in the following tables:

MatchNo MegaplierMegaplier 2Megaplier 3
5 + MB*JackpotJackpotJackpot
5US$1 millionUS$2 millionUS$3 million
4 + MBUS$10,000US$20,000US$30,000
4US$500US$1,000US$1,500
3 + MBUS$200US$400US$600
3US$10US$20US$30
2 + MBUS$10US$20US$30
1 + MBUS$4US$8US$12
0 + MBUS$2US$4US$6

* Mega Ball

MatchMegaplier 4Megaplier 5
5 + MB*JackpotJackpot
5US$4 millionUS$5 million
4 + MBUS$40,000US$50,000
4US$2,000US$2,500
3 + MBUS$800US$1,000
3US$40US$50
2 + MBUS$40US$50
1 + MBUS$16US$20
0 + MBUS$8US$10

* Mega Ball

As you can see, with a small additional expense, you can multiply secondary winnings by as much as five times. For example, the fifth division US$200 prize for matching three main numbers and the Mega Ball can be boosted to US$400, US$600, US$800, or US$1,000, depending on the Megaplier number chosen for the draw.

What Are the Odds of Winning a Mega Millions Megaplier Prize?

MultiplierBallsOdds
2 times the original prize (2X)51 in 3
3 times the prize won (3X)61 in 2.5
4 times the prize won (4X)31 in 5
5 times the prize won (5X)11 in 15

How Does the Megaplier Compare to Powerball’s Power Play?

In comparison, when you add the Megaplier to your Mega Millions lottery tickets, the Match 5+0 prize can grow as high as US$5,000,000 if “5” is selected as the Megaplier for that draw. The maximum Megaplier is “5” whereas the maximum Power Play multiplier is “10”.

What is Megaplier’s History?

The Megaplier was initially offered only by the Texas Lottery starting in 2003 and its initial concept was functionally similar to the original version of Powerball’s Power Play. Starting in 2010, the Megaplier feature become part of the lottery’s offer in other states. Between September 2010 and October 2013, winners of the Mega Millions second prize with the Megaplier option were automatically awarded a 4X prize of US$1 million. The current system defining the Megaplier and the prize levels was set on 18 October 2013.

The first US$5 million second-tier Mega Millions prize ever awarded went in November 2013 to a ticket sold in Texas where the Megaplier was first introduced.

Why Doesn’t California Offer Mega Millions with Megaplier?

As a result of this difference, Californian winners of non-jackpot prizes receive different prize amounts than equivalent winners in other states. This situation can occasionally lead to a Californian winning a higher second division prize than the US$1,000,000 awarded to a Mega Millions second division winner elsewhere.

What Other Lotteries Have Multipliers?

Mega Millions is not the only lottery to have an optional multiplier feature to boost secondary prizes. As mentioned, Powerball offers Power Play, which can multiply non-jackpot prizes by as much as ten times.

Should You Add the Mega Millions Megaplier to Your Ticket?

Now that you understand how the Mega Millions Megaplier feature works, you might be wondering if you’re getting the best value for your money when you add it to your ticket. While some may say that you’re spending more in hopes of winning more, we think that if you do end up getting lucky playing Mega Millions, you might as well take home a boosted prize!

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What Is the Mega Millions Ticket Cost? https://www.qingquanwang.com/blog/mega-millions/ticket-cost/ Sun, 08 Mar 2026 08:55:39 +0000 https://blog.qingquanwang.com/?p=11375 We have compiled a guide of all the factors that can change the cost of a Mega Millions ticket, and how you can save money when you play!

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What Is the Mega Millions Ticket Cost?
TheLotter » TheLotter Blog » Mega Millions

What Is the Basic Cost of a Mega Millions Ticket?

When it initially launched in 1996 as “The Big Game”, the price of a ticket was a humble $1. Following changes to the lottery’s format in 2017, the cost of a standard Mega Millions entry doubled to US$2. As part of a major revamp to the Mega Millions game, including a higher starting jackpot, improved odds and faster rollovers, the price of a ticket increased to US$5 to account for these upgrades.

How Does the Multiplier Work?

Following Mega Million’s revamp in April 2025, the optional Megaplier was replaced by a built-in Multiplier. This exciting game feature boosts the second division prize to US$2 – US$10 million, depending on the Multiplier number generated for the draw, while the remaining prizes can be multiplied 2-10 times their original amount.

Can you play from outside the US?

You could wait until your next vacation or business trip in the United States to purchase a ticket, but that means missing the excitement of regularly participation in Mega Millions draws. You certainly wouldn’t travel to the US especially to play the lottery! Instead, you could opt to play Mega Millions online. While this option is much cheaper than flying to the US, the cost per lottery ticket will be a bit more than if you were buying a ticket in person in the US.

What Is the Mega Millions Ticket Price When You Play Online?

What Is the Mega Millions Ticket Price When You Play Online

Why Is Playing the Lottery Online More Expensive?

Purchasing any product through a third-party will always cost you a little more than buying it from the source. In addition to the price of the ticket, you are also paying for TheLotter’s ticket purchasing service, which includes administrative costs, and the claiming and transfer of money to your account when you win. On the bright side, we can all agree that paying a small service-fee for the opportunity to win millions beats purchasing a plane ticket to the United States any day!

How Can I Save On the Cost of My Mega Millions Ticket?

One of the biggest advantages of playing Mega Millions online is the availability of ticket-purchasing options that can save you a pretty penny and lots of time! At TheLotter, customers can take advantage of two popular play options:

  • Subscriptions – Playing with a subscription is a great way to ensure you never miss a draw, as you’ll be automatically entered into every draw until you decide to unsubscribe. One of the benefits of subscribing to Mega Millions at TheLotter is that you’ll get every 7th lottery ticket free of charge!

Boost Your Chances and Your Savings with Syndicates!

If you want the odds-boosting benefits of a syndicate but still want a chance to win the entire prize for yourself, you can also enter the draw with a bundle package, which combines syndicate shares and your own personal entry!

Where Does Your Money Go When You Buy a Mega Millions Ticket?

Most people who play the lottery seldom wonder where their money is going and how it’s being spent. So, if you were ever curious, we’ve got the answer!

Mega Millions allocates 50% of its ticket revenue for the lottery’s prize pool. The remaining half is used to pay for the states’ retailer commissions, vendor fees, lottery administration, and the state beneficiaries or good causes of the state’s choosing.

The revenue is split between 44 states, Washington D.C., and the US Virgin Islands. Out of those jurisdictions, 27 states earmark some or all of the lottery ticket revenue for education. Here are how some states spend their lottery ticket revenue:

  • In 2019, the Texas Lottery transferred US$1.617 billion to the Foundation School Fund, which supports various educational programs and initiatives in the state of Texas as well as US$19.4 million to the Texas Veterans Commission.
  • Other states, such as Minnesota and Colorado, choose to contribute the funds to organizations and trusts dedicated to preserving the state’s wildlife, parks, and trails.
  • According to the Pennsylvania Lottery website, they have contributed over US$30 billion in funding for programs supporting the state’s seniors citizens and older residents.

While these good causes do not receive their funding solely from the revenue made from Mega Millions tickets, as one of the country’s biggest multi-state lotteries, lottery play does go a long way in supporting them.

Can You Pay Less for a Mega Millions Ticket?

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Mega Millions Payouts: Lump Sum or Annuity? https://www.qingquanwang.com/blog/mega-millions/payouts/ Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:53:26 +0000 https://blog.qingquanwang.com/?p=10937 Winning a lottery prize is exciting, but winning the jackpot would be absolutely amazing. How much of the prize do you actually get?

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Mega Millions Payouts: Lump Sum or Annuity?
TheLotter » TheLotter Blog » Mega Millions

It should be noted right from the start that these two choices – lump sum or annuity – are only available with the jackpot payout. All Mega Millions secondary prizes are paid out as a one-time cash payment.

What Is the Difference Between a Cash Payment and Annuity Payments?

Cash option – This is a one-time payment of the prize that is equal to the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool. For example, in a draw where the estimated Mega Millions jackpot is US$124 million, the cash option prize is approximately US$99.9 million. These prizes are estimated because the final amount depends on actual Mega Millions ticket sales. It is important to remember that the advertised cash option prize is before the deduction of taxes. The amount of taxes to pay will vary based on the jurisdiction where the winning ticket was purchased.

Most Mega Millions winners opt to receive a one-time, lump-sum payment of their prize.

Annuity payments – These are payments of the prize made on an annual basis. The first of the payments is made shortly after a jackpot win has been confirmed while the rest of the prize is paid out in 29 annual instalments. The yearly payments are not equal but rather graduated, meaning each one is 5% bigger than the previous one. The total amount of the payments, over the course of 30 years is equal to the final jackpot prize of the draw.

The jackpot amount advertised by Mega Millions is the annuitized amount. In the case of a jackpot advertised as US$124 million, this is the amount that will be paid out over 30 years, less taxes.

Why Choose the Cash Option for the Mega Millions Jackpot?

Winners who choose a lump-sum payout of their prize can avoid long-term tax implications, as all their taxes would be paid at the time they receive the prize. Having all the money upfront gives the winners the opportunity to make large investments that will result in a much higher return than if the prize had been taken over thirty years.

A jackpot winner would be wise not to make any decisions without consulting first with a team of financial, legal, and tax advisors.

Why Choose Mega Millions Annuity Payments?

Receiving a jackpot prize in annual, graduated payments protects the lottery winner’s lifestyle and makes sure that they don’t spend their prize all at once. Thirty annual payments provide long-term financial security.

While there is still a risk that the winner would spend all their winnings each year when the prize money is received, the financial consequences of this type of action is limited. Annual payments of the prize are guaranteed for a very long period of time.

Consulting with a team of financial advisors to decide how to manage annuitized Mega Millions income over the course of 30 years is very important.

When Do You Choose Cash or Annuity?

When you, or your representatives, arrive at the offices of the state lottery to claim your prize, you will need to decide whether to take the one-time lump sum cash payment of the Mega Millions jackpot, or whether to receive the prize in thirty annual payments. You will inform lottery officials of your decision and receive the jackpot money accordingly.

What’s Right for You – Cash or Annuity?

Although you may be tempted to take your Mega Millions payout all at once, as one lump sum cash prize, that might not be the best option for you. That is why it’s important to have advisors to help you make a decision. No matter which way you go, you must still act responsibly and use the prize money wisely!

FAQs

What Is the Difference Between a Cash Payment and Annuity Payments?

Cash option – This is a one-time payment of the prize that is equal to the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool.

Why Choose a Mega Millions Cash Payout?

Winners who choose a lump-sum payout of their prize can avoid long-term tax implications, as all their taxes would be paid at the time they receive the prize.

Why Choose Mega Millions Annuity Payments?

Receiving a jackpot prize in annual, graduated payments protects the lottery winner’s lifestyle and makes sure that they don’t spend their prize all at once.

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Can You Participate in Mega Millions Outside US? https://www.qingquanwang.com/blog/mega-millions/non-us-citizens/ Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:49:05 +0000 https://blog.qingquanwang.com/?p=10922 Countless other players here at TheLotter have won secondary Mega Millions prizes over the years.

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Can You Participate in Mega Millions Outside US?
TheLotter » TheLotter Blog » Mega Millions

While N.B. and B.G. played the game in the years when the Mega Millions second division prize was worth US$250,000, Nataliia won an incredible US$1 million in a September 2017 draw.

Countless other players here at TheLotter have won secondary Mega Millions prizes over the years, raising the question whether all of this is really allowed. Can foreigners play Mega Millions?

The answer is a resounding “Yes!”

Can a Non-US Citizen Win the Mega Millions Jackpot?

The game can be played by tourists, as well as by people living temporarily in the United States.

Can Foreigners Buy Mega Millions Tickets?

“To claim a prize of US$600 or more, the player must … present one form of identification that is current or was issued within the past five years. … Acceptable forms of identification include:

  • A passport issued by a foreign government for non-annual payment option prizes.
  • A passport issued by a foreign government stamped by the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services for annual payment option prizes.”

What Are Taxes on Mega Millions Outside US?

The amount of tax one pays on Mega Millions prizes depends on the state where the winning ticket was purchased.

Join in the Mega Millions Fun from Abroad Today!

There is one thing that it is important to remember. Foreigners and non-residents can indeed play Mega Millions but their tickets must be purchased in the United States. And winnings must be claimed in the United States. That is where TheLotter comes in.

As an ticket messenger service, we buy official Mega Millions lottery tickets on your behalf from licensed retailers in the United States. We keep your tickets secure in a safe in our local US office and transfer your smaller winnings to you directly and assist you in collecting your larger Mega Millions prizes.

FAQs

Can a Non-US Citizen Win the Mega Millions Jackpot?

Visitors to the United States are always welcome to purchase tickets for our game from an American lottery retailer while they are visiting this country.

What Are Taxes On Mega Millions Outside US?

The amount of tax one pays on Mega Millions prizes depends on the state where the winning ticket was purchased.

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What Is the Mega Millions Multiplier? https://www.qingquanwang.com/blog/mega-millions/multiplier/ Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:32:25 +0000 https://blog.qingquanwang.com/?p=10908 The Mega Millions Multiplier is a random number automatically assigned to every Mega Millions entry that boosts any non-jackpot prize you win!

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What Is the Mega Millions Multiplier?
TheLotter » TheLotter Blog » Mega Millions

The American Mega Millions lottery previously had a multiplier called the Megaplier, which was an optional feature that you could choose to add on your ticket orders. Players would add the Megaplier, at an additional cost, and stand a chance of increasing their non-jackpot prizes as high as 5x, based on the Megaplier drawn.

How Do You Play Mega Millions with the Multiplier?

Mega Millions lottery draws take place twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. To participate in the draw, all you have to do is select five main numbers from 1-70, and one Mega Ball number from 1-24. After you confirm your order, one of ’s representatives will purchase the tickets on your behalf. The Mega Millions tickets will be scanned and uploaded to your account, where you can see them before the draw.

In each line of your ticket, to the right of the Mega Ball number, you will see the randomly assigned Multiplier number for that line. That number could be 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10. This number indicates how much your secondary prize will be multiplied if you matched some of the Mega Millions numbers drawn.

Do You Need the Multiplier to Win the Mega Millions Jackpot?

The Multiplier assigned to each of your Mega Millions lines does not change your chances of winning the jackpot. It only has the potential to increase your non-jackpot prizes.

For example, if you are lucky enough to match all 5 main Mega Millions drawn, as well as the additional Mega Ball selected, you win the lottery jackpot! The Multiplier assigned to your winning line does not make your jackpot prize any bigger. If your Multiplier was 4, for example, your jackpot prize remains the same as the prize amount announced in the draw.

What Is the Mega Millions Multiplier Payout for Secondary Prizes?

The Multiplier feature does not affect the size of the Mega Millions jackpot, but it does define the size of any non-jackpot prizes you may win. The increased prizes based on the Multiplier assigned to your line (2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x) can be seen in the below tables:

MatchMultiplier 2Multiplier 3Multiplier 4
5 + MB*JackpotJackpotJackpot
5US$2 millionUS$3 millionUS$4 million
4 + MBUS$20,000US$30,000US$40,000
4US$1,000US$1,500US$2,000
3 + MBUS$400US$600US$800
3US$20US$30US$40
2 + MBUS$20US$30US$40
1 + MBUS$14US$21US$28
0 + MBUS$10US$15US$20

* Mega Ball

MatchMultiplier 5Multiplier 10
5 + MB*JackpotJackpot
5US$5 millionUS$10 million
4 + MBUS$50,000US$100,000
4US$2,500US$5,000
3 + MBUS$1,000US$2,000
3US$50US$100
2 + MBUS$50US$100
1 + MBUS$35US$70
0 + MBUS$25US$50

* Mega Ball

For example: If one of your lines matched the 5 main numbers drawn, you would normally be entitled to a second-tier prize of $1 million. If the Multiplier automatically added to your line was 2, you would win $2 million. If your winning line’s Multiplier was 10, your prize would be an amazing $10 million.

Is the Mega Millions Multiplier the Same as Powerball’s Power Play?

The Mega Millions Multiplier, on the other hand, is an automatic feature of every Mega Millions line. No need to decide whether to try for increased prizes as this option is built-in to your entries. The maximum Mega Millions second tier prize is US$10,000,000, a prize amount unmatched in Powerball draws.

In Mega Millions, the maximum 10X Multiplier is available no matter how high the advertised jackpot is.

What Are the Odds for Each of the Mega Millions Multipliers?

MultiplierOdds
2x1 in 2.13
3x1 in 3.2
4x1 in 8
5x1 in 16
10x1 in 32

What Is the Mega Millions Multiplier?

The Multiplier is a built-in feature of Mega Millions that automatically assigns a number – 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 – to every line in your ticket. If you are lucky enough to win a non-jackpot prize, your winnings will be increased by the Multiplier selected for your winning line.

How Much Does the Mega Millions Multiplier Cost?

There is no additional cost to include the Mega Millions Multiplier in your ticket, as one is included automatically in each and every line on your ticket.

Does the Multiplier Increase the Mega Millions Jackpot Prize?

No, the Multiplier only increases non-jackpot winnings, also known as secondary prizes. These prizes can be boosted by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x, depending on the Multiplier number allocated to each line in your entry at the time of order.

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Mega Millions History https://www.qingquanwang.com/blog/mega-millions/history/ Thu, 26 Feb 2026 07:44:34 +0000 https://blog.qingquanwang.com/?p=10888 Mega Millions became increasingly popular among fans an additional weekly draw on Tuesdays was added in February 1998.

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Mega Millions History
TheLotter » TheLotter Blog » Mega Millions

When Did The Big Game Lottery Become Mega Millions?

In May 2002, the lottery was rebranded as Mega Millions and the states of New York and Ohio joined the consortium. Additional states that joined Mega Millions in those years were Washington (2002), Texas (2003), and California (2005).

When Did Mega Millions Start Being Sold in Powerball States?

In January 2010, Mega Millions made an historic cross-selling agreement with Powerball, enabling participating states to sell tickets to both lotteries. As a result of the agreement, the number of states offering Mega Millions tickets rose to 43. In addition, tickets became available in Washington D.C. and the Virgin Islands.

The Mega Millions lottery made history in March 2012 by awarding what was, at the time, the argest jackpot prize ever. An incredible US$656 million jackpot was split between three players from Kansas, Illinois, and Maryland. This jackpot retained its world record status until January 2016, when Powerball awarded a US$1.586 billion prize.

Mega Millions changed its 5/56 + 1/46 guess matrix to a revised 5/75 + 1/15 format starting 22 October 2013. As part of the game’s changes, the minimum starting jackpot was set at US$15 million with rollovers of at least US$5 million. The lottery’s second prize was raised from US$250,000 to US$1 million. Megaplier was also changed with the addition of a 5x multiplier, which meant that a player could win a second-tier prize as high as US$5 million.

Mega Millions awarded a US$536 million jackpot in its draw on 8 July 2016, which was the highest cash value lottery prize ever won by a single player at the time.

Lottery Changes Lead to Historic Jackpot

Starting with the October 2017 format changes, participating states were given the option of offering Just the Jackpot. For the ticket price of US$3, players would have two chances of winning the jackpot, but they would not be eligible for secondary prizes. Not all participating state lotteries offer Just the Jackpot.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, “the Mega Millions Consortium has adjusted the game’s starting jackpot and will determine the amounts of subsequent starting jackpots and jackpot increases on a drawing-by-drawing basis,” the lottery said in a statement at the beginning of April 2020. Since that time and until further notice, the starting jackpot was reset from US$40 million to US$20 million, and jackpot increases were set at a minimum of US$2 million.

In April 2025, Mega Millions introduced exciting upgrades, including bigger starting jackpots that grow faster, better jackpot odds, and a built-in Multiplier on every play. With these enhancements, ticket prices rose.

A single ticket sold in Florida won the US$1.602 billion Mega Millions jackpot on 8 August 2023. The lucky winner, Saltines Holdings LLC, purchased their life-changing ticket at a Neptune Beach supermarket and came forward to collect their prize the following month on 25 September. This extraordinary jackpot overtook Mega Millions’ long-standing 2018 record of US$1.537 billion and is currently the third biggest US lottery prize!

The Record MM Jackpot

In a historic draw on 23 October 2018, Mega Millions awarded a US$1.537 billion jackpot – the lottery’s second-biggest jackpot. While that prize fell just short of passing Powerball’s past record of US$1.586 billion jackpot dating back to January 2016, Mega Millions did set a record of its own. A single lucky ticket, purchased in South Carolina, won the entire US$1.5 billion prize. The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, came forward in March 2019 to collect their prize.

Mega Millions awarded its third billion-dollar jackpot in its draw on 22 January 2021. After a record 37 draws with no jackpot winner, a prize of US$1.05 billion (US$776.6 million cash) was won by a four member Michigan lottery club. A year and a half later, another massive Mega Millions jackpot soared even higher, rolling over for more than three months and eventually reaching US$1.337 billion (US$780.5 million cash)! The top prize was won by a single ticket in Illinois, with the winning numbers 13, 36, 45, 57, 67, and the Mega Ball number 14. 

FAQs

When Did The Big Game Lottery Become Mega Millions?

In May 2002, the lottery was rebranded as Mega Millions and the states of New York and Ohio joined the consortium.

When Did Mega Millions Start Being Sold in Powerball States?

In January 2010, Mega Millions made an historic cross-selling agreement with Powerball, enabling participating states to sell tickets to both lotteries.

The post Mega Millions History appeared first on The Lotter Blog.

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Mega Millions Trivia and Anecdotes https://www.qingquanwang.com/blog/mega-millions/facts/ Wed, 25 Feb 2026 13:06:01 +0000 https://blog.qingquanwang.com/?p=10631 There's a bounty of factoids and stories to tell about the Mega Millions game!

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Mega Millions Trivia and Anecdotes
TheLotter » TheLotter Blog » Mega Millions

Mega Millions Fun Facts: the Beginning

Tickets for the Big Game lottery went on sale in Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Virginia on 31 August, 1996. The game was renamed as The Big Game Mega Millions in May 2002.

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The very first Mega Millions drawing took place on 17 May, 2002, and a jackpot of US$28 million was won by a winning ticket purchased in Illinois. The winning numbers in the draw were 15-18-25-33-47 and the Mega Ball was 30. There was a second jackpot winner just one week later. Two jackpot winners in the first three Mega Millions drawings!

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The Mega Millions trademark is owned by the Illinois Lottery.

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Following the game’s name change, 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.

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Sixty-eight draws after the lottery launched, Mega Millions reached a milestone of having sold 1 billion tickets.

Mega Millions Trivia: the Numbers

When Mega Millions launched in May 2002, the game was played by picking five numbers from 1 to 52, and an additional Mega Ball number from 1 to 52. Like today, the jackpot was awarded for matching all six winning numbers drawn.

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The odds for winning the Mega Millions jackpot in 2002 were: 1 in 135,145,920

The odds for winning the Mega Millions jackpot today are: 1 in 290,472,336

The overall chances of winning any prize in 2002 were: 1 in 43

The overall chances of winning any prize today are: 1 in 23.07

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The winning numbers in the 23 October, 2018, draw awarding a US$1.537 billion jackpot: 5, 28, 62, 65, 70, and Mega Ball 5

The winning numbers in the 22 January, 2021, draw awarding a US$1.05 billion jackpot: 4, 26, 42, 50, 60, and Mega Ball 24

Mega Millions Info: the Multiplier

The Megaplier was an optional add-on multiplier feature on a Mega Millions lottery ticket. By including the Megaplier when they purchase their ticket, players could potentially increase their non-jackpot winnings by 2, 3, 4, or 5 times, depending on the Megaplier randomly selected for that draw.

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The Megaplier trademark is owned by the Texas Lottery.

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Following Mega Million’s revamp in April 2025, the optional Megaplier was replaced by a built-in Multiplier, which increases secondary prizes up to 10X, compared to the Megaplier’s which could only increase up to 5X.

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Mega Millions Information: the Jackpots

On 8 August 2023, Mega Millions set a new record after 32 rollovers, breaking its previous record. One lucky ticket purchased by Saltines Holdings LLC from Florida celebrated the Summer of 2023 with a record-sized MEGA jackpot worth US$1.602 billion after matching all the winning numbers in the draw.

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Mega Millions awarded its third billion-dollar jackpot in its draw on 29 July 2022. After three and a half months of draws with no jackpot winner, a prize of $1.337 billion

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Mega Millions nearly set a new world record with a rollover streak that ran between July and October 2018. The lottery’s jackpot passed US$1 billion amidst hopes that it would soon surpass Powerball’s record US$1.586 billion jackpot. But in the end, on 23 October, 2018, after 25 rollovers, a prize of US$1.537 billion was claimed by a single ticket purchased in South Carolina.

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Mega Millions held the world record for four years after it awarded a US$656 million jackpot in March 2012. This massive prize was shared by three winning tickets. One of the tickets was purchased by three colleagues from Maryland’s public education system. Each of these lucky winners, who referred to themselves as the Three Amigos, put in US$20 and together they bought 60 lottery tickets, one of which matched all the winning numbers. The other winners of this record jackpot came from Illinois and Kansas.

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Anecdotes Winners and Losers

Anecdotes: Winners and Losers

Thousands of fans of the popular television show “Lost” won prizes in the lottery’s drawing on 4 January, 2011, when a near-record US$380 million jackpot was up for grabs. In an episode of the show, character Hugo “Hurley” Reyes played the numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42 and ended up winning a US$114-million jackpot. In the real life drawing, the numbers drawn were 4, 8, 15, 25, 47 and 42 – four of them matching those drawn on the show. According to media reports, 25,587 tickets matched Hurley’s three winning numbers plus the bonus number to win US$150 apiece.

Here’s a fascinating Mega Millions anecdote. A gorilla at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio picked numbers ahead of the March 2012 drawing for the record US$656 million jackpot. Colo, famous for being the first gorilla to be born in captivity anywhere in the world and as the oldest known gorilla in the world, was considered a psychic after correctly guessing the winner of the NCAA Men’s Final Four basketball championship the previous year.

Colo was given a pile of onions (marked 1 through 56), for her Match 5 numbers, and a pile of turnips (marked 1 through 46), for the Mega Ball. Colo’s pick for the draw was 9, 12, 21, 31, 41 and Mega Ball 9.

Unfortunately, Colo did not win the jackpot.

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Samir Mazahem, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, accidentally bought two tickets with the exact same numbers and ended up winning the US$1 million second prize twice in the Mega Millions draw on 9 June, 2020.

“I went online and bought a ticket using numbers that are family birthdays,” Mazahem said. “I forgot to save the numbers as favourites in the [Michigan Lottery] app, so I went back in and set them up as favourites so I could easily play them in the future. What I didn’t realize, is that meant I would be buying a second ticket with the same numbers. Once I figured out I had bought two tickets with identical numbers, I was a little bummed but didn’t think much about it.”

Mazahem matched the five white balls drawn on both of his tickets: 1, 5, 9, 10, 23. Instead of winning US$1 million in the draw, he took home US$2 million.

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The post Mega Millions Trivia and Anecdotes appeared first on The Lotter Blog.

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The Ultimate Mega Millions Guide https://www.qingquanwang.com/blog/mega-millions/guide/ Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:44:58 +0000 https://blog.qingquanwang.com/?p=10597 US Mega Millions is one of America’s leading lotteries, consistently handing out some of the world’s biggest jackpot prizes!

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The Ultimate Mega Millions Guide
TheLotter » TheLotter Blog » Mega Millions

Introduction


Just a few years later in 2018, the Mega Millions jackpot prize grew to an explosive US$1.537 billion before it was snapped up by a lucky winner from South Carolina. This jackpot, the US$1.348 billion prize won on 13 January 2023, and the US$1.337 billion prize won on 29 July 2022 are currently the 3rd, 4th, and 5th biggest jackpots ever awarded to a single ticket! A new jackpot record was set on 8 August 2023 after 31 drawings without a big win by Saltines Holdings LLC from Neptune Beach, Florida who won a record-sized MEGA jackpot, of US$1.602 billion after the 32th drawing. Hopefully by reading this Ultimate Mega Millions Guide you will learn everything you’ve always wanted to know about Mega Millions, including how to win the jackpot!

Game Rules

To play the US Mega Millions lottery, you must choose five main numbers from a range of 1 to 70 as well as one Mega Ball number from a range of 1 to 24. Draws take place on Tuesdays and Fridays. The jackpot starts at US$50 million and has no limit, which means it can rise to infinite heights.

Game Rules

Mega Millions Prize Structure

Mega Millions offers 9 fantastic prize categories and you can win up to US$10 million in the 2nd category playing Mega Millions. Take a look at the different prize divisions and your chances of winning huge Mega Millions prizes!

TierMatchPrizeOdds
15 + Mega BallJackpot1:290,472,336
25US$1,000,0001:12,629,232
34 + Mega BallUS$10,0001:893,761
44US$5001:38,859
53 + Mega BallUS$2001:13,965
63US$101:607
72 + Mega BallUS$101:665
81 + Mega BallUS$71:86
90 + Mega BallUS$51:35
What is the Multiplier

What is the Multiplier?

The Multiplier was introduced as part of the game’s revamp on 8 April 2025 to replace the ‘Megaplier’ feature. Previously, you would need to opt in and manually add the Megaplier to your play. The Multiplier feature however is built-in to the cost of the ticket, and can multiply all non-jackpot prizes to even greater heights. The Multiplier number is randomly generated and can multiply your prize up to 10 times! That means if you land the second place prize of US$1 million, with a 10X multiplier attached, you can win US$10 million! Not bad for a secondary prize…

Can You Play from Outside the US?

What do Nataliia from eastern Europe; N.B. from Switzerland; and B.G. from Spain all have in common? Each of them won an amazing Mega Millions prize after purchasing their tickets to the popular American lottery online. Countless other players here at TheLotter have won secondary Mega Millions prizes over the years, raising the question whether all of this is really allowed. And, it is!

Can You Play from Outside the US

Jackpots by Amount

Mega Millions awarded its largest jackpot ever in August 2023 – US$1.602 billion. The Summer of 2023 will be marked by a record-sized MEGA jackpot won by Saltines Holdings LLC from Florida after 31 drawings without one.

RankDateAmount# of winners
18 August 2023US$1.602 billion1
223 October 2018US$1.537 billion1
313 January 2023US$1.348 billion1
429 July 2022US$1.337 billion1
527 December 2024US$1.269 billion1
626 March 2024US$1.128 billion1
722 January 2021US$1.05 billion1
810 September 2024US$810 million1
930 March 2012US$656 million3
1017 December 2013US$648 million2

Jackpots by Year

There was a jackpot winner in the first Mega Millions draw ever in 2002. The second Mega Millions jackpot was won just one week later! Listed below is a table showing the number of Mega Millions jackpots won in the lottery by year.

YearJackpots WonBiggest Jackpot
20253US$349 million
20244US$1.269 billion
202310US$1.602 billion
20226US$1.337 billion
20216US$1.05 billion
20205US$410 million
20197US$522 million
20185US$1.537 billion
20176US$393 million
20168US$536 million
20158US$265 million
20149US$414 million
201311US$648 million
201213US$656 million
201113US$380 million
201013US$266 million
200913US$336 million
200813US$275 million
200712US$390 million
200615US$270 million
20059US$315 million
200411US$294 million
200312US$183 million
20029US$165 million

History

Mega Millions launched as a multi-state lottery with Friday night draws in August 1996 under the name The Big Game and the lottery’s first draw took place on 6 September 1996. In May 2002, the lottery was rebranded as Mega Millions and it continued to update and improve its game format. In January 2010, Mega Millions made a historic cross-selling agreement with Powerball, enabling participating states to sell tickets to both lotteries.

In April 2025, Mega Millions introduced exciting upgrades, including bigger starting jackpots that grow faster, better jackpot odds, and a built-in Multiplier on every play. With these enhancements, ticket prices rose.

Mega Millions has awarded historic and record jackpots, including its US$656 million prize in March 2012, its US$1.537 billion jackpot in October 2018, and a US$1.05 billion jackpot in January 2021, and the latest record-jackpot of US$1.602 billion in August 2023. Bigger and more exciting jackpots are expected in the years to come.

Fascinating Facts

Ever since its launch, the Mega Millions lottery has provided loads of excitement for lottery players everywhere. With its huge jackpot prizes, billions of tickets sold, and countless cash prizes awarded, there’s a lot of stories and anecdotes to tell about Mega Millions!

Mega Millions Winners at TheLotter

Mega Millions Winners at TheLotter

Nataliia from Ukraine became our biggest Mega Millions winner to date when she scooped up a US$1 million Match 5 prize in a September 2017 draw. Previously, three of our players won US$250,000 second place Mega Millions prizes. T.K. was the first in 2009, followed by N.B. from Switzerland who won in 2011. Our third US$250K winner was B.G. from Spain claimed his prize in March 2012. Many of our players have won smaller Mega Millions prizes, but the sky’s the limit how much they could win.

Comparison with Powerball

Mega Millions and Powerball have much in common. They are both hugely popular multi-state American lotteries that have awarded jackpot prizes more than US$1 billion. Still, there are several differences between the games. How do Mega Millions and Powerball compare? Which lottery has better odds, Powerball or Mega Millions? Which game awards better prizes? In short, is it better to play Mega Millions or Powerball?

Comparison with Powerball

Payouts / Taxes

American lotteries such as the Mega Millions give winners the opportunity to have a jackpot prize paid out in cash or annuities. You receive more when you opt to have the prize paid out in installments (“annuities”) than if you choose to take it in one lump-sum cash payment. Mega Millions taxes are deducted at source, meaning that when you win Mega Millions prizes at TheLotter, the amount you receive is after taxes have already been paid. If you are lucky enough to win the Mega Millions jackpot, your prize money will be less than the advertised jackpot because you receive that prize less taxes.

Prize AmountTax Rate
Up to US$599Tax free
US$600 to US$1,49930% federal tax
Over US$1,50030% federal tax
+ 8% state tax
Play Options at TheLotter

Play Options at TheLotter

Need to know more?

We wish you loads of luck and masses of fun in playing Mega Millions online!

FAQs

What is the Multiplier?

The Multiplier was introduced as part of the game’s revamp on 8 April 2025 to replace the ‘Megaplier’ feature.

Can You Play from Outside the US?

What do Nataliia from eastern Europe; N.B. from Switzerland; and B.G. from Spain all have in common? Each of them won an amazing Mega Millions prize after purchasing their tickets to the popular American lottery online.

The post The Ultimate Mega Millions Guide appeared first on The Lotter Blog.

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Top 10 Highest Mega Millions Jackpots Ever https://www.qingquanwang.com/blog/mega-millions/biggest-jackpots/ Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:23:49 +0000 https://blog.qingquanwang.com/?p=10573 Here is our list of the highest Mega Millions jackpots ever. Maybe one day your name will show up here too!

The post Top 10 Highest Mega Millions Jackpots Ever appeared first on The Lotter Blog.

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Top 10 Highest Mega Millions Jackpots Ever
TheLotter » TheLotter Blog » Mega Millions

10. Ira Curry and Steve Tran – 17 December 2013 – US$648 Million

Two winners each earned a US$324,000,000 share of the pot, worth US$173,819,742.50 before taxes. The winning tickets were bought in San Jose, California, and Stone Mountain, Georgia. The first winner to come forward to claim the prize was 56-year-old Ira Curry, who chose the numbers based on family birthdays and the family’s lucky number seven, which was selected as the Mega Ball.

The California winning ticket was bought at Jennifer’s Gift Shop in San Jose by Steve Tran, who almost lost his ticket. Tran hadn’t even realized he’d won, since the winning ticket was in a pile of other old tickets that he’d neglected to cheque!

9. Merle & Patricia Butler, The Three Amigos, and Anonymous – 30 March 2012 – US$656 Million

Mega Millions had a particularly exciting drawing on 30 March 2012. As the jackpot rose to epic proportions, players and fans began to wonder whether the prize pool would ever be won! The final jackpot was US$656 million – a time a world record for the biggest lottery jackpot ever, and record which stood for four years!

The Maryland winners of the amazing prize were three public school system employees who dubbed themselves “The Three Amigos.” These American lottery winners — a woman in her twenties, another in her fifties, and a man in his forties — purchased a total of sixty tickets around the state, a $20 per person investment that ended up giving them each a huge return on their money! After splitting a massive US$218.6 million, it’s safe to say that these amigos are probably each other’s richest friends!

The last winning ticket of this enormous jackpot belonged to Merle and Patricia Butler. The couple stayed up all night watching the news and surfing the internet to find out how many people had won the jackpot.

When word that the winning ticket had been purchased in their native town of Red Bud, Illinois, friends jokingly asked Merle if he was the winner. Little did they know that he actually was! The retired couple came forward on 18 April 2012 to claim their prize’s cash option payout of US$111 million after taxes.

8. The Sol Living Trust – September 10, 2024 – US$810 Million

After 27 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner, one lucky ticket holder finally claimed the US$810 million prize (US$409.3 million cash value)! The winning ticket was bought at Murphy USA in Sugar Land, Texas. The winning numbers were 1, 2, 16, 24, 66, with a Mega Ball of 6 (and a Megaplier of 4). When the winner purchased the ticket, they opted for the lump sum amount, that transpired to a whopping US$409,297,624 before taxes. The Sol Living Trust claimed the estimated annuitized $800 million jackpot about a month afterward. This marks the largest prize ever awarded to a single Texas Lottery player and the seventh-largest Mega Millions jackpot in Texas history.

7. Wolverine FFL Club – 22 January 2021 – US$1.05 Billion

After a record 37 rollovers, the Mega Millions jackpot reached a staggering US$1.05 billion when the draw’s winning numbers were matched by a lucky ticket purchased in Novi, Michigan on 22 January 2021.

The jackpot was won by a 4-member syndicate called the “Wolverine FF Club” who came forward to claim their winnings on 12 March 2021. “This kind of money will impact the families of our club members for generations to come. We plan to stay humble and pay it forward through charitable giving in southeast Michigan,” read a statement on behalf of the anonymous group. Wolverine FFL Club chose to split the one-time lump sum amount of US$766 million.

6. Anonymous – 26 March 2024 – US$1.13 Billion

The winning draw consisted of the numbers 7, 11, 22, 29, 38, with the Mega Ball being 4.

5. Rosemary Casarotti – 27 December 2024 – US$1.22 Billion

The winning ticket was sold at the Sunshine Food and Gas Circle K on Rhonda Road in Cottonwood on Dec. 27, 2024. This win is California’s largest Mega Millions jackpot claimed in the state’s history. The winner, Rosemary Casarotti, has $1.2 billion more reasons to be happy with her life. She chose a lump sum payment, cashing in $571 million before federal taxes. The state of California does not tax winnings from the lottery.

4. Anonymous – 29 July 2022 – US$1.337 Billion

In the spring of 2022, Mega Millions spread lottery mania throughout the whole world as no one could stop talking about its incredible, record-breaking top prize. Months of rollovers culminated in one of the most dramatic draws in lottery history on 29 July 2022, when the seemingly unwinnable jackpot was finally captured by a single winning ticket.

Two lucky winners from Illinois, USA had all five winning numbers – 13, 36, 45, 57, 67 – and the Mega Ball, 14. Higher than expected sales kept pushing the final prize higher and higher, right up to a US$1.337 billion total, (worth US$780.5 million as a lump sum), that was tantalisingly close to breaking the all-time record.

3. LaKoma Island Investments, LLC – 13 January 2023 – US$1.348 Billion

If you’re the superstitious type, you probably weren’t looking forward to Friday the 13th in January 2023 – but the day turned out to be as lucky as it gets for one Mega Millions player.

Matching all five regular numbers, 30, 43, 45, 46, and 61, as well as the Mega Ball 14, a single ticket purchased in the state of Maine was awarded the entire US$1.348 billion (US$723.5 million cash) jackpot – making it the very first Mega Millions jackpot won in the entire state. Although the winner remains anonymous, they have chosen to collect the cash option through a limited liability company, and “The winner is thoughtfully considering the best uses of the life-changing prize,” a representative for the winner said in a statement.

As it stands, this jackpot is not only the second-biggest for Mega Millions – it’s also the fourth-largest of all time!

2. Anonymous – 23 October 2018 – US$1.537 Billion

A single ticket sold in South Carolina was the only winner of a US$1.537 billion (US$878 million cash) Mega Millions jackpot in the lottery’s draw on 23 October 2018.

The draw had been advertised with a US$1.6 billion jackpot and it looked like Mega Millions was set to replace Powerball with a new world’s record for largest jackpot ever. But after the draw results were announced and it became known that there was a single winner in South Carolina, the final prize amount was slightly reduced because ticket sales had been lower than expected.

The winning numbers in the draw were the white balls 5, 28, 62, 65 and 70, plus the gold Mega Ball 5. The historic Mega Millions jackpot smashed the lottery’s former record of US$656 million, set in March 2012. In addition to the jackpot winner, the sales frenzy produced an incredible 36 second prize tickets.

What was the biggest Mega Millions jackpot ever?

1. Saltines Holdings LLC – 8 August 2023 – US$1.602 Billion

A remarkable Mega Millions jackpot run finally came to an end after 31 drawings without a big win, Saltines Holdings LLC from Neptune Beach, Florida got to celebrate the Summer of 2023 with a record-sized MEGA jackpot, worth US$1.602 billion (US$794.2 million cash) after the 8 August 2023 lottery draw.

The winning numbers in the draw were the white balls 13, 19, 20, 32, and 33, and the gold Mega Ball 14. Previously, two Florida jackpot wins have been shared with other states, including last October’s US$502 million prize shared with California.

When will Mega Millions highest jackpot record be broken?

There’s no telling when the next Mega Millions highest jackpot record will be, but with so many Mega Millions fans competing against such low odds we’re pretty confident the next epic prize is well on its way.

FAQs

What was the biggest Mega Millions jackpot ever?

A single ticket sold in South Carolina was the only winner of a US$1.537 billion (US$878 million cash) Mega Millions jackpot in the lottery’s draw on 23 October 2018.

When will Mega Millions highest jackpot record be broken?

There’s no telling when the next Mega Millions highest jackpot record will be, but with so many Mega Millions fans competing against such low odds we’re pretty confident the next epic prize is well on its way.

The post Top 10 Highest Mega Millions Jackpots Ever appeared first on The Lotter Blog.

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