Mega Millions

Mega Millions (which began as The Big Game in 1996, with the name modified to The Big Game Mega Millions 6 yr later) is an American multi-jurisdictional lottery game; it is offered in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The 1st (The Big Game) Mega Millions drawing was in 2002 (see below.)

The minimum Mega Millions advertised jackpot is $15 million, paid in 30 graduated yearly installments, increasing 5% each year (unless the cash option is chosen; see below for differences by lotteries on cash/annuity choice regulations.) The jackpot increases when there is no top-prize winner[1] (see below for information on how the Mega Millions jackpot is funded.)

Reflecting common practice among American 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' current format began on October 19, 2013; its first drawing was October 22. Mega Millions uses a 5/75 (for the white balls) plus 1/15 (for the "Mega Ball") double matrix to select its winning numbers.

Each game costs $1. Of the 46 Mega Millions jurisdictions, all but California offer an option, called Megaplier (plays with the Megaplier are $2 each) where non-jackpot prizes are multiplied by 2, 3, 4, or 5. The Megaplier was made available to all Mega Millions jurisdictions in Jan 2011; it began as an option available only in Texas. Mega Millions is drawn at 11p.m. Eastern Time on Tue and Fri evenings, including holidays.[1] Mega Millions is administered by a consortium of its 12 original lotteries;[2] the drawings are held at the studios of ABC affiliate WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia,[1] supervised by the Georgia Lottery.

In the Dec 17, 2013 drawing, the current 5/75 + 1/15 format produced its 1st 2 jackpot winners, potentially sharing a jackpot worth $648 million (annuity value; with a cash option of $347,639,485), which is the 2nd highest jackpot in Mega Millions and American history. The 2 jackpot-winning tickets were sold in San Jose, California; and in Atlanta, Georgia.[2][3][4]

The largest jackpot in Mega Millions history was $656 million annuity value (with a cash option of $474 million) for the March 30, 2012 drawing, in which there were 3 jackpot-winning tickets; 1 each in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland. All 3 tickets had been claimed by April 18, with each set of winners choosing the cash option of $158 million, a 1/3 share.[5] The largest Mega Millions prize was $326 million (annuity) for the lone winning ticket of the Nov 4, 2014 drawing; it was purchased in New York.

The 2010 expansion of Mega Millions and Powerball

Mega Millions lottery tickets from New Jersey (left) and New York; see below for rule variations among the game's 45 members

On Oct 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 2 groups referred to as the "Mega Power Lottery"[6] by many users. The expansion occurred on Jan 31, 2010, as 23 Powerball members began selling Mega Millions tickets for their 1st drawing on Feb 2, 2010; likewise, 10 Mega Millions members began selling Powerball tickets for their 1st drawing the next day. Montana (joining Mega Millions on March 1, 2010) was the 1st 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 2 on May 16, 2010) also have joined Mega Millions since the expansion.

As of Jan 2016, there are 46 lotteries 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).

Before the agreement, the only stores which sold Mega Millions and Powerball tickets were retailers whose business was on a border between jurisdictions which sold competing games.

Current and future participating members

As of Sep 2015, both Mega Millions and Powerball are available in 44 states and the District of Columbia (in blue), plus the US Virgin Islands (not shown)

Powerball replaced Lotto*America in April 1992; Mega Millions replaced The Big Game in May 2002 (see below for the evolution of the name Mega Millions).

Mega Millions and Powerball

Lottery Powerball Mega Millions
Arizona April 4, 1994 April 18, 2010
Arkansas October 31, 2009 January 31, 2010
California April 8, 2013 June 22, 2005
Connecticut November 28, 1995 January 31, 2010
Colorado August 2, 2001 May 16, 2010
Delaware January 14, 1991 January 31, 2010
District of Columbia February 13, 1988 January 31, 2010
Florida January 4, 2009 May 15, 2013
Georgia January 31, 2010 September 6, 1996
Idaho February 1, 1990 January 31, 2010
Illinois January 31, 2010 September 6, 1996
Indiana October 14, 1990 January 31, 2010
Iowa February 13, 1988 January 31, 2010
Kansas February 13, 1988 January 31, 2010
Kentucky January 10, 1991 January 31, 2010
Louisiana March 5, 1995 November 16, 2011
Maine July 30, 2004 May 9, 2010
Maryland January 31, 2010 September 6, 1996
Massachusetts January 31, 2010 September 6, 1996
Michigan January 31, 2010 September 6, 1996
Minnesota August 14, 1990 January 31, 2010
Missouri February 13, 1988 January 31, 2010
Montana November 9, 1989 March 1, 2010
Nebraska July 21, 1994 March 20, 2010
New Hampshire November 5, 1995 January 31, 2010
New Jersey January 31, 2010 May 1999
New Mexico October 20, 1996 January 31, 2010
New York January 31, 2010 May 17, 2002
North Carolina May 30, 2006 January 31, 2010
North Dakota March 25, 2004 January 31, 2010
Ohio April 16, 2010 May 17, 2002
Oklahoma January 12, 2006 January 31, 2010
Oregon February 13, 1988 March 28, 2010
Pennsylvania June 29, 2002 January 31, 2010
Puerto Rico September 28, 2014 Not offered
Rhode Island February 13, 1988 January 31, 2010
South Carolina October 6, 2002 January 31, 2010
South Dakota November 15, 1990 May 16, 2010
Tennessee April 21, 2004 January 31, 2010
Texas January 31, 2010 December 5, 2003
US Virgin Islands November 14, 2010 2002
Vermont July 1, 2003 January 31, 2010
Virginia January 31, 2010 September 6, 1996
Washington January 31, 2010 June 2002
West Virginia February 13, 1988 January 31, 2010
Wisconsin August 10, 1989 January 31, 2010
Wyoming August 24, 2014 (both games)

The states of Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, and Utah do not sell lottery tickets. In 2013, Wyoming became the 44th state to establish a lottery; the next yr, it began, initially offering both Mega Millions and Powerball.

History

The Big Game

The Big Game logo prior to the Mega Millions name change.

Tickets for The Big Game began to be sold in Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Virginia on Aug 31, 1996. The Big Game was the brainchild of the then-lottery directors Rebecca Paul (of the Georgia Lottery) and Penelope W. Kyle (of the Virginia Lottery.) The Big Game initially was drawn weekly, on Fri.

The Georgia Lottery was a member of MUSL at the time and wanted to sell both games for the remainder of 1996; however, 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 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

The Big Game Mega Millions logo following the addition of the name Mega Millions

Ohio and New York joined the 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 Feb 2003, after which it was replaced with 6 stars representing the 6 original members of the consortium. The 1st (The Big Game) Mega Millions drawing was held 2 days later on May 17. The Mega Millions trademark is owned by the Illinois Lottery. The 1st 3 lotteries to join Mega Millions were Washington (in Sep 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 1st 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 the then-current version of Powerball's Power Play. The 11 Mega Millions lotteries without Megaplier on the Jan 31, 2010 cross-selling date gradually added the multiplier option; by Jan 2011, all Mega Millions lotteries, except for California, offered the Megaplier. The Texas Lottery owns the trademark to Megaplier.[7]

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

For the Nov 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 federal withholdings.[8] This remains the largest prize won by a single Mega Millions ticket.

On March 6, 2007, the Mega Millions jackpot reached $390 million,[9] which is the record for the 3rd largest jackpot in US history. The jackpot was shared by 2 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 withholdings.[10]

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 Oct 2009, an agreement between Mega Millions and the MUSL allowed all US lotteries, including New Jersey's, to offer both games. On Jan 31, 2010, Mega Millions expanded to include 23 Powerball lotteries. 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, for a then total of 43 lotteries. Ohio joined Powerball on April 16, 2010, and California joined Powerball on April 8, 2013. On March 1, 2010, Montana became the 1st Powerball 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.

The most recent additions to Mega Millions were the U.S. Virgin Islands, in Oct 2010, and Louisiana, in Nov 2011. Florida joined Mega Millions on May 15, 2013; the 1st drawing to include Florida-bought tickets was 2 days later.

Presumably due to their experience with the Power Play option for Powerball, all 23 lotteries joining Mega Millions on Jan 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 (as the 26th), Arizona (as the 27th) and Maine (as the 28th lottery to offer the Megaplier option). After Colorado and South Dakota joined Mega Millions, this raised the number of lotteries offering the Megaplier to 37.

Mega Millions tickets bought with the Megaplier, beginning Sep 12, 2010, automatically win $1 million (instead of $250,000) if the 5 white balls – but excluding the Mega Ball – are matched.

On March 13, 2010, New Jersey became the 1st 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 1st 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 Jan 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. There are no plans to change the price of a Mega Millions play, with or without the Megaplier. The price increase for playing Powerball was a major factor in Louisiana deciding to pursue joining Mega Millions, that state's lottery joined Mega Millions on Nov 16, 2011.

October 2013 format change

The final 5/56 + 1/46 Mega Millions drawing was held on October 18, 2013; that day's jackpot of $37 million was not won. The first drawing under the current 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 is now $15 million, with rollovers of at least $5 million. Second prize (5+0) is now $1 million cash. Players now choose five of 75 white ball numbers, and one "Gold Ball" number out of fifteen.

The Megaplier option remains; it now includes a 5x multiplier. The Megaplier now applies to all prizes except the jackpot; a 5+0 play with the Megaplier wins $5 million cash.

Former (through Oct 18, 2013) and current prize tiers, based on a $1 play:

Payouts in California remain pari-mutuel.

The current odds of winning or sharing a Mega Millions jackpot 1 in about 258.9 million. The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 14.71, including the base $1 prize for a "Mega Ball"-only match.

Prizes and odds:

The odds for matching only the Mega Ball, 1 in 21, reflect the possibility of also matching at least 1 of the white balls. The overall odds of winning any prize in Mega Millions is 1 in 14.7, accounting for all 9 prize categories.

The annuity -- which was twenty annual payments (no cash option was available) when The Big Game began -- changed from 26 equal yearly installments to thirty graduated annual payments (increasing 5% per annum) with the format change on October 19, 2013.

Record jackpots

The 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 Fri 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 Jan 24, 2012, was at least $1.5 billion.[12] 3 jackpot-winning tickets had been confirmed (1 each in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland).[13]

Mega Millions' 2nd-largest jackpot, $648 million, was for the Dec 17, 2013 drawing. 2 winning tickets, 1 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 on Jan 3, 2014; it's unclear if the winner elected the cash option or the annuity. (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)."[2][3][4][14] [15]

Mega Millions' 3rd-largest jackpot, $540 million, was for the July 8, 2016 drawing. 1 ticket from Indiana chose the cash option.[16]

Mega Millions' 4th-largest jackpot, $414 million, was for the March 18, 2014 drawing. 2 tickets, 1 each from Florida and Maryland, split the prize; both sets of winners chose the cash option, splitting $230.9 million (as noted below, interest rates change, resulting in different ratios between the cash values and annuity values of jackpots).

Mega Millions' 5th-largest jackpot annuity value ($390 million) was for the Mar 6, 2007 drawing; 2 tickets, 1 each from Georgia and New Jersey, matched all 6 winning numbers, winning $195 million (annuity) each. The holders of each ticket also chose the cash option.

How the drawings are held

2 drawing machines are used in Mega Millions. 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. 1 by 1, the 5 white ball numbers drop through a hole in the bottom of the mixing drum. As of Oct 19, 2013, there are respectively 75 white balls in the 1st machine and the 15 gold-coloured Mega Balls in the 2nd machine.

Versions of (The Big Game) Mega Millions

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

Start Date Pick 5 out of Pick 1 out of Jackpot oddsodds66
September 6, 1996 50 25 1:52,969,000
January 13, 1999 50 36 1:76,275,360
May 15, 2002 52 52 1:135,145,920
June 22, 2005 56 46 1:175,711,536
October 19, 2013 75 15 1:258,890,850

Megaplier

Mega Millions players, in 45 of its 46 jurisdictions, have the option to activate a multiplier, called Megaplier; it is functionally similar to the original version of Powerball's Power Play. (Neither Megaplier nor Power Play are offered in California because its state penal code distinguishes between a "lottery" which cannot be broken and a "banked game" whose bank theoretically could be broken; only a "lottery" was authorized by the state Lottery Act.) By doubling the wager in a game (to $2), players have an opportunity to multiply any non-jackpot prize by 2, 3, 4 or 5. The Megaplier is drawn by the Texas Lottery (before the cross-sell expansion on Jan 31, 2010, it was the only lottery to offer Megaplier) by a random number generator (RNG). Prior to Powerball's price increase and subsequent change to a fixed prize table for Power Play, Megaplier differs from Power Play in that the odds for each Megaplier possibility are not uniform.[17]

Megaplier Odds (through October 18, 2013)
2x 2:21 (9.5%)
3x 7:21 (33.3%)
4x 12:21 (57.1%)

The extra weighting for a higher Megaplier results in the average expected Megaplier to be 3.476x.

Megaplier wagers made for drawings from Sep 12, 2010 through Oct 18, 2013 that won 2nd prize were automatically elevated to 4x, winning $1 million. This "guarantee" did not carry over to the current version of Mega Millions, although the $1 million second prize becomes $5 million if the Megaplier is 5x.

Winning and probability

The current winning chart from Oct 19, 2013:[18]

Matches[19] Prize Approximate probability of winning
Normal balls (pool of 75) Mega ball (pool of 15)
5 1 Jackpot[20] 1 in 258,890,850
5 0 $1 million 1 in 18,492,204
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
0 1 $1 1 in 21

The probability and odds can be taken into a mathematical perspective, for example: The probability of winning the jackpot is 1:(75C5) x (15). (75 ways for the 1st ball x 74 ways for the 2nd x 73 for 3rd x 72 for 4th x 71 for 5th)/ (5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1) or 5! (5 factorial) and this number is then multiplied by 15 (15 possible numbers for the "Megaball"). Therefore, (75 x 74 x 73 x 72 x 71)/ (5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1) x 15 = 258,890,850, which basically means 1 has a 1 :258,890,850 chance of winning the jackpot. Similarly, with the odds for the $1M prize are a 1:(75C5) x (15/14) = 1: 18,492,204 chance of winning. The overall probability of winning any prize is 1 in 14.7. If there are no jackpot winners for specific drawing(s), the jackpot will keep increasing, however, the odds will still remain the same.

Mega Millions has an "equal payout" after it reaches $363 million. This takes into account the smaller prizes and the taxes associated with the payouts. This calculation assumes that 1 does not buy the 'megaplier' as this additional $1 only returns an extra $0.38 of profit on average. Additionally, this assumes that the jackpot is never split, which they often are. When considering only the jackpot (and negating smaller prizes and taxes), 1 would have to buy 258.9 million tickets in order to ensure that 1 wins; this allows for profit with a jackpot higher than that amount.

The winning chart prior to Oct 18, 2013:

Matches[19] Prize Approximate probabilityof winning
Normal balls (pool of 56) Mega ball (pool of 46)
5 1 Jackpot[20] 1 in 175,711,536 (56C5×46)[21][22]
5 0 $250,000 1 in 3,904,701 (56C5×46/45)[23]
4 1 $10,000 1 in 689,065 [24]
4 0 $150 1 in 15,313[25]
3 1 $150 1 in 13,781[26]
2 1 $10 1 in 844[27]
3 0 $7 1 in 306[28]
1 1 $3 1 in 141[29]
0 1 $2 1 in 74.8 (the probability for this prize is not 1:46, because there is the possibility of matching at least 1 of the "white" balls, which decreases the likelihood of matching only the "Mega Ball")[18]

Overall probabilities: 1 in 755 of winning 6th prize or higher,[18] 1 in 40 of winning any prize.[30]

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 8 lower-tier Mega Millions prize pools are separate from those shared by the other 44 lotteries. California's 2nd prize is a "secondary jackpot"; its payout sometimes exceeds $1 Million cash, even though California does not offer the Megaplier.[31]

Payment options

In Georgia, New Jersey and Texas, players must choose, in advance, whether they wish to collect a jackpot in cash or annuity. Georgia and New Jersey winners can change an annuity ticket to cash should they be eligible for a jackpot share; however, the choice is binding in Texas.

If a jackpot prize is not claimed within the respective jurisdiction's time limit, each of the 45 Mega Millions members get back the money they contributed to that jackpot. Each of the 45 lotteries have rules in regards to unclaimed prizes; most Mega Millions members set aside unclaimed winnings for educational purposes.[32][33]

In 2007, a $31 million prize went unclaimed in New York.[34] Many prizes of $250,000 each have been unclaimed, including several in Michigan for 2007 drawings.[35]

Claiming prizes

Mega Millions winners have either 180 days (California non-jackpot 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, Iowa and Louisiana, where the minimum is 21, and Nebraska; its minimum 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 a New Jerseyan wins on a ticket bought near their workplace in Manhattan). Mega Millions winnings are exempt from state income tax in California and Pennsylvania, while New Hampshire, Texas and Washington do not have an income tax. On the other hand, 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.[1][36] The original host was WSB's chief meteorologist, Glenn Burns. Currently, most drawings are emceed by the full-time host of Georgia Lottery drawings, John Crow, with Brian Hooker the main substitute host. For larger jackpots, the drawing sometimes is moved to Times Square, with New York Lottery announcer Yolanda Vega co-hosting.

Before Jan 31, 2010, Mega Millions was the only multi-jurisdictional lottery whose drawings were carried nationally, instead of airing only on stations in participating jurisdictions. Powerball drawings began to air after that date nationally via Chicago-based cable superstation WGN-TV. WGN simulcasts Mega Millions drawings on its national WGN America feed on Tuesdays and Fridays immediately following WGN's 9pm (Central Time) newscast, with Powerball drawings being aired on Wed and Sat (though both games' drawings air a min later than on some other television stations.) WGN serves as a default carrier of both major games where no local television station carries either multi-jurisdictional lottery's drawings. Powerball drawings were removed from WGN America in late 2014 when it ceased carrying WGN's newscasts.

Record jackpots (listed by cash value)

Cash value (in millions USD) Annuity value (in millions USD) Drawing date Winner(s) Description
$474 $656 March 30, 2012 3 (MD, KS, IL) World's second largest jackpot (cash or annuity)
$347.7[14] $648[4] December 17, 2013 2 (CA, GA) 2nd largest annuity value
$240 $380 January 4, 2011 2 (ID, WA)
$233 $390 March 6, 2007 2 (GA, NJ)
$224 $400 March 18, 2014 2 (FL, MD)
$210 $336 August 28, 2009 2 (CA, NY) NY winner chose annuity (the cash/annuity choice made "when playing" required per then-NY Lottery rules)
$208.3 $330 August 31, 2007 4 (NJ, MD, TX, VA)
$197.5 $326 November 4, 2014 1 (NY) Largest Mega Millions prize (annuity value) and 2nd largest MM jackpot for yr; sold in Middletown, Orange County [37]
$202.9 $319 March 25, 2011 1 (Albany, NY) Largest Mega Millions prize [38]
$180 $363 May 9, 2000 2 (IL, 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 45 jurisdictions offering the game; different lotteries uses the proceeds in different ways.[39]

Miscellany

In the aftermath of the attack on the World Trade Center on Sep 11, 2001, the legislature in Albany, fearing a monumental loss of revenue, passed legislation the following month, which was signed by then-Gov. George Pataki, which included joining a multi-jurisdictional lottery game. Around the same time, for entirely different reasons, Ohio's governor also gave the green light to joining a multi-jurisdictional game. Both lotteries opted to join the then-The Big Game, which, at the time, had 7 members. The added populations of the 2 new jurisdictions, in turn, led to a larger double matrix. The 1st machine continued to hold 52 balls, while 16 gold balls were added in the 2nd, meaning there were 52 numbers to pick from in each part of a $1 game. On May 15, 2002, the game was renamed The Big Game Mega Millions; soon after, it became just Mega Millions. Except for the 2010 cross-selling expansion, this was the only time The Big Game, Mega Millions, or Powerball simultaneously added more than 1 member.

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.[40]

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 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 Jan 2004 when she claimed that she had lost the winning ticket in the Dec 30, 2003 Mega Millions drawing.[41] 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.[42] 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 hr of community service, and required to compensate the police and courts for various costs incurred.[43]

The Jan 4, 2011 Mega Millions drawing drew attention for its similarity to "The Numbers," a sequence of 6 numbers that served as a plot device of the ABC drama series Lost. 1 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 1st 3 numbers (4, 8, 15) and mega ball (42) in the Mega Millions drawing matched the 1st 3 numbers and the final number (which Hurley also used as the "mega ball" number) in the Lost sequence. The last 2 numbers in the Mega Millions drawing did not match the last 2 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.[44]

The 12 original (before the 2010 cross-sell expansion) Mega Millions members have each produced at least one Mega Millions jackpot winner.

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Mega Millions FAQs". Megamillions.com. Retrieved 2013-12-17.
  2. 1 2 3 "Mega Millions Official Home". Megamillions.com. Retrieved 2013-12-17.
  3. 1 2 "2 winning tickets in $636M Mega Millions drawing - CBS News". CBS News with contributions from Associated Press. 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  4. 1 2 3 "Historic mega-jackpot split by two tickets". Mega Millions. 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
  5. ↑ "Mega Millions Increases Final Jackpot to $656M - ABC News". Associated Press via ABC News. 2012-04-02. Archived from the original on 2012-04-04. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  6. ↑ "Mega Power Lottery". Worldlottery.net. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  7. ↑ "Mega Millions with Megaplier: Maine State Lottery". Mainelottery.com. 2013-09-24. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  8. ↑ "California's First Mega Millions Jackpot Winners The Lucky Seven -- Claim Prize". Mega Millions. 2005-11-18. Archived from the original on 2013-01-21. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  9. ↑ "Mega Millions Jackpot History". Megamillions.com. 2013-09-29. Archived from the original on 2013-09-29. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  10. ↑ "Rocky Face man wins half of record $390M jackpot". Megamillions.com. Archived from the original on 2008-09-06. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  11. ↑ [dead link] Bicker, Benjamin (2013-10-22). "MegaMillions | Lotto Results, Winning Numbers, News & More". Lotto-results-online.com. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  12. ↑ Matt Stevens; Carol J. Williams (March 31, 2012). "Mega Millions mania leads to disappointment in California". Los Angeles Times.
  13. ↑ "Winning tickets for Mega Millions jackpot sold in Maryland, Illinois". CNN. 2012-03-31. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
  14. 1 2 "Georgia Mega Millions jackpot winner comes forward". Georgia Lottery via Mega Millions. 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
  15. ↑ "$324 million winner comes forward in California". California Lottery via Mega Millions. 2014-01-03. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  16. ↑
  17. ↑ "Mega Millions :: The official Web site of the Missouri Lottery". Molottery.com. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  18. 1 2 3 "How To Play". Mega Millions. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  19. 1 2 Prizes are uniform in all Mega Millions jurisdictions, with the exception of California, in which all prizes, including the jackpot, are pari-mutuel (payouts are based on sales and the number of winners of each prize level.) All other Mega Millions members' second through ninth prizes are set amounts, although in rare cases they can be reduced.
  20. 1 2 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 begin at $15 million (disbursed in 30 graduated annual payments if the annuity is chosen); the corresponding cash value fluctuates depending on interest rates.
  21. ↑ "(56 choose 5)*46". Google. 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  22. ↑ Sal Khan. "Mega Millions Jackpot Probability". Khan Academy.
  23. ↑ ((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 5)*(51 choose 0)*45) - Google Search
  24. ↑ ((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 4)*(51 choose 1)) - Google Search
  25. ↑ ((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 4)*(51 choose 1)*45) - Google Search
  26. ↑ ((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 3)*(51 choose 2)) - Google Search
  27. ↑ ((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 2)*(51 choose 3)) - Google Search
  28. ↑ ((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 3)*(51 choose 2)*45) - Google Search
  29. ↑ ((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 1)*(51 choose 4)) - Google Search
  30. ↑ Lotto Numbers
  31. ↑ "CA Lottery Regulations" (PDF). California Lottery. 2012-09-27. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  32. ↑ kowens (2011-10-20). "Frequently Asked Questions". Calottery.com. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  33. ↑ "What Happens to Unclaimed Prizes?". Michigan.gov. 2010-02-01. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  34. ↑ "Many major U.S. lottery prizes unclaimed". UPI.com. 2007-12-06. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  35. ↑ Michigan.gov , Lottery - Top Unclaimed Prizes
  36. ↑ "Mega Millions Drawing Time". Archived from the original on 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2013-12-18. 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesdays and Fridays
  37. ↑ "The Megamillions Jackpot with 321 millions dollars win in New York stats".
  38. ↑ Boniello, Kathianne; Scott, Brendan (March 26, 2011). "Seven state workers haul in $319M Mega jackpot". New York Post.
  39. ↑ "Where does Mega Millions money go after the jackpot?". CBS News.
  40. ↑ "Mega Millions Logo Officials Warn of Lottery scams". ScamFraudAlert. 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  41. ↑ "Women argue over 'lost' jackpot". BBC News. 2004-01-06. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
  42. ↑ "Midwest: Ohio: Apology For Lottery Claim". The New York Times. 2004-01-09. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
  43. ↑ "Midwest: Ohio: Lottery Tale Costs Her $6,596". The New York Times. 2004-04-07. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
  44. ↑ Bonner, Jessie et al. (2011-01-05). 2 winners for $380M lottery sold in Wash., Idaho. Associated Press. Retrieved 2011-01-05.

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Powerball		 World's largest lottery jackpot
May 9, 2000 – February 18, 2006 		Succeeded by
Powerball
Preceded by
Powerball		 World's largest lottery jackpot
January 7, 2015 – present 		Succeeded by
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