New Game FAQs

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What is Mega Millions®?

Mega Millions^® is a multi-state lottery game with MEGA jackpots and MEGA fun.
You can play Mega Millions in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the U. S. Virgin Islands; a total of 47 jurisdictions. See the Where to Play page for details. With millions of people playing, jackpots can roll to even higher levels at a faster rate. You choose six numbers and there are nine exciting ways to win in the game.

What are the changes happening to Mega Millions® in April 2025?

Mega Millions^® is getting bigger and better. The new game will feature bigger prizes at every non-jackpot prize tier, better odds to win the jackpot, better odds overall, larger starting jackpots, faster-growing jackpots, and a built-in multiplier that will increase all non-jackpot prizes by 2X-10X, providing MEGA value unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

What are the key differences between the current and new Mega Millions® games?

You’ll see seven key differences in the new game:

• 2X to 10X bigger prizes at every non-jackpot prize tier
• Larger starting jackpots
• Faster growing jackpots
• Bigger average jackpots
• Better overall odds to win any prize
• Improved odds to win the jackpot
• No break-even prizes, meaning when you win, you’ll always win more than the cost to play

When will the new game debut?

The new Mega Millions^® debuts after the Friday, April 4, 2025 drawing, which will be the final drawing under the current game structure. The first draw using the new matrix and prize structure will take place Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Why did the price change from $2 to $5?

Mega Millions^® has always been a game that provides great value to our players, and with this new price point we’re able to do that at every prize level. Everyone who wins will win more in the new game. Non-jackpot prizes will be 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X and now 10X larger than they are today. There will be larger starting jackpots, faster growing jackpots, bigger jackpots more frequently, improved odds to win the jackpot and improved overall odds to win any prize. This is only the game’s second price adjustment since the first ticket was sold more than 20 years ago.

Is the starting jackpot increasing?

The starting jackpot will reset to $50 million following a jackpot win instead of the current $20 million.

Will jackpots be larger in the new game?

The Mega Millions^® Consortium estimates that the average jackpot win in the new game will be more than $800 million vs. approximately $450 million in the current game. Jackpots also are expected to grow faster and get to higher dollar amounts more frequently in the new game.

Will the jackpot reset with the changeover to the new game?

Unless someone wins the jackpot on the April 4, 2025 drawing – the final drawing under the current game and prize matrix – the jackpot from the current game will roll into the new game and continue to grow with ticket sales from the new game.

How much will I win in the new game?

Non-jackpot prizes at every level are going up by 2X to 10X because the new Mega Millions^® will have a built-in random multiplier on every play. This means every non-jackpot win will multiply the base prize by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X automatically. Prizes in the new game will range from $10 to $10 million vs. the $2 to $1 million in the current game. A table summarizing prize payouts in the new game is available here.

Is the minimum prize increasing?

The minimum prize on a winning ticket in the new game will be $10 vs. the current $2. This also means that every winning ticket in the new Mega Millions^® will pay out double the $5 cost to play. In the current game, the minimum prize is a “breakeven” prize, where it and the cost to play are both $2.

How will the new multiplier work?

Here’s an example of how the new multiplier will work: If you won $2 in the current game by matching just the Mega Ball, you will now take home $10, $15, $20, $25 or $50 in the new Mega Millions^® by multiplying the new base prize of $5 by whatever random multiplier is shown on your winning ticket – either 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X. Similarly, if you won $500 under the current rules, you’ll take home $1,000; $1,500; $2,000; $2,500 or $5,000 in this new game. Non-jackpot prizes at every level are going up by 2X to 10X. The new multiplier applies to every prize tier except the jackpot. That’s the kind of MEGA value the new Mega Millions will deliver at every single drawing.

NOTE: In California, Mega Millions prize amounts are pari-mutuel, will vary depending on ticket sales and number of winners and will differ from the fixed prizes shown on the Mega Millions website. Please visit calottery.com for more information.
 

How will the new multipliers be assigned?

Every Mega Millions^® play will now include a built-in random multiplier to increase non-jackpot wins. The multiplier value – either 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X – will be randomly selected and printed on the ticket next to each play. For example, if you have 10 plays on your ticket, there will be 10 multipliers, one printed next to each play line. Each multiplier value has its own frequency for selection.

How will the multiplier be different than in the current game?

The random multiplier in the new game will be different from the current game in two ways: 1) it’s automatically included in every play vs. being an add-on feature that costs $1 more; and 2) we’re adding a new 10X multiplier level that wasn’t previously available, doubling the highest previous multiplier of 5X, giving you even more value than before.

Can I still play the “Megaplier?”

As part of the new game introduction, the “Megaplier” add on feature that has been available in some jurisdictions for an additional $1 will be retired and replaced with the built-in multiplier. It will no longer be available for any drawing after April 4, 2025.

Can I still play “Just the Jackpot?”

As part of the new game introduction, the “Just the Jackpot” option that has been available in some jurisdictions for $3 will be retired. It will no longer be available for any drawing after April 4, 2025.

What are the odds in the new game?

Overall odds to win any prize will improve to 1:23 from 1:24 due to the removal of one gold Mega Ball from the game. With fewer Mega Balls from which to choose, odds of picking the right one improve and odds of winning any prize improve, as well. Details on odds for each prize tier can be found here: https://www.megamillions.com/How-to-Play/The-NEW-Mega-Millions.aspx

What are the odds of winning the jackpot?

Odds to win the jackpot will improve in the new game to 1:290,472,336 from 1:302,575,350 due to the removal of one gold Mega Ball from the game. The new game will feature 24 Mega Balls instead of the 25 in the current game. With fewer Mega Balls from which to choose, odds of picking the right combination of numbers to win the jackpot improve.

How long do I have to collect a Mega Millions® prize?

Claim periods vary by jurisdiction based on local rules and regulations, so the time period for claiming prizes ranges from 90 days to one year from the draw date. Please check with the lottery in the state where your ticket was purchased to get the applicable claim period for that ticket.

Do the numbers on my ticket have to be in the same order as the numbers are drawn in order to claim a prize?

The numbers on your ticket are always shown in numerical order, as are the winning numbers for each drawing as reported here on megamillions.com. That makes them easy to compare. But in a lottery game like Mega Millions^®, the order in which the numbers are drawn does not matter, with the exception of the Mega Ball. The Mega Ball drawn must match exactly to the Mega Ball shown on your ticket in order to be considered a valid match, but the remaining numbers can show up in any order.

If I purchase a Mega Millions® ticket in one state, can I redeem it in another?

Because Mega Millions^® is sold by individual lotteries, winning tickets must be redeemed in the state or jurisdiction in which they were purchased. Lotteries typically have a claim-by-mail option for most prize levels; you can find details on their websites.

Can a group of people share a Mega Millions® prize?

Yes, Mega Millions^® prizes can be shared. Winners can decide how to share a prize when they claim it. Some restrictions do apply. Please check with the lottery in the state or jurisdiction where you bought your tickets for details.

Can I still collect my prize if I won on a ticket from the old game?

If you have a winning ticket that was issued for a drawing date of April 4, 2025 or earlier, you should be able to claim you prize if you do so by the deadline set by the lottery where the ticket was purchased. All winning tickets for drawings from the old game will be paid based on the prize matrix in effect during the time of the drawing for those tickets, regardless of when a prize is claimed. Historical drawing results are available on our Previous Drawings page.

Can a Mega Millions® jackpot winner claim the prize anonymously?

Public disclosure laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Some require their lotteries to publicly identify winners, while others do not. Check with the lottery in your jurisdiction.

Are prizes taxable?

Yes. All prizes are subject to income taxes. For tax-withholding information, please check with your participating lottery.

What are the payout options if I win the jackpot?

If you are a Mega Millions^® jackpot winner, you will have the choice of a Cash Option or an annual payout, also called the Annuity Option. The Cash Option provides a one-time, lump-sum payment that is equal to all the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool and is based on actual sales. The Annuity Option provides for an initial annual payment followed by 29 annual payments. Each payment is 5 percent larger than the previous one. This prize option also is based on the actual cash value of the jackpot and the 30-year U.S. Treasuries rate. Note that these actual values may differ from the estimates. Prize claim parameters vary from state to state. Contact your Mega Millions state lottery for detailed information.

How and why are Mega Millions® jackpots estimated?

Members of the Mega Millions^® Consortium meet every Tuesday and Friday morning to determine the game’s estimated jackpots for the next two drawings. Lottery Directors and finance representatives share their state’s individual sales forecasts during that meeting to estimate the total sales that are projected for those drawings. Those sales estimates are then used to determine the estimated cash value of the jackpots and the advertised annuity values, with the annuity value based on that day’s 30-year U.S. Treasuries rate, which can change day to day. The rate on any drawing day is often different from the rate on the previous drawing day, when the jackpot is first estimated.

Why doesn’t the actual jackpot amount match the estimated value?

The final Mega Millions^® jackpot value can end up being different from the estimate because estimates, while based on trends and historical patterns, are still estimates. When jackpots become extremely large, there are few precedents upon which to base the estimates. Typically, as much as 70% of sales occur on the drawing day, so forecasting precise numbers in advance can be difficult and can be affected by external factors such as the weather. Changes in both sales and the U.S. Treasuries rate explain why the advertised jackpot amounts are always noted as estimates. Historically, actual winning jackpots have come in at levels above, below, and equal to the estimated figures in roughly similar proportions. Regardless of whether a jackpot-winning player chooses the cash value or the annuity option, they receive the available jackpot based on actual sales, which may vary from the estimated jackpot.

What happens if I lose a ticket?

Mega Millions^® and our participating lotteries are not responsible for lost or stolen tickets. Protect yourself by signing the back of your ticket(s). Lottery tickets are bearer instruments. Unless signed, anyone in possession of the ticket can file a prize claim.

What happens to Mega Millions® payments if the winner dies before collecting?

If a winner who has chosen the Annuity Option dies before receiving all annual payments, Mega Millions^® will continue to pay the annual payments, as scheduled, to the winner's designated beneficiary or to the winner's estate. Check with your state lottery for more specific information.

What happens to a Mega Millions® jackpot prize if it is not claimed?

If a jackpot prize is not claimed within the required time limit in the state or jurisdiction where the winning ticket was sold (which varies from 90 days to one year), each participating lottery will get back all the money they contributed (through ticket sales) to the unclaimed jackpot. Each lottery uses its unclaimed lottery prizes for different purposes, typically determined by the lottery legislation in each jurisdiction (the lotteries themselves don't make that determination). For example, some put the money back into their prize pool to be used for promotions and additional prizes; some send it to their beneficiaries, like education and scholarships; and others may use it for multiple purposes. Contact the lottery where you play to find out how unclaimed prizes are used.

Does the public benefit from lottery sales?

Absolutely! While the biggest expenditure for lotteries is paying prizes to winners (50 percent of Mega Millions sales are paid back to players in prizes, for example), lotteries exist to benefit good causes. Although the percentage varies by jurisdiction, approximately 25 percent of all lottery revenue supports important state programs, including education and scholarships, programs for senior citizens and veterans, economic development, and the environment. Historically, as jackpots rise, more people play the lottery, and therefore, these good causes stand to benefit immensely from this game change.
 
In addition, some 225,000 retailers around the country benefit from all lottery products, receiving an average of about 6 percent of sales. Again, that will vary a bit by jurisdiction, but it is important revenue; it can even help keep smaller retailers in business, benefiting the greater community at large.

Where can I play Mega Millions®?

You can buy Mega Millions^® tickets from lottery retailers/agents in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the U. S. Virgin Islands; a total of 47 jurisdictions. See the Where to Play page for details. Please check with the Mega Millions lottery in the state closest to you for retailer/agent information. In a few jurisdictions, players may also purchase Mega Millions tickets online.

When are Mega Millions® drawings held?

Mega Millions^® drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time, 10 p.m. Central Time, 9 p.m. Mountain Time, 8 p.m. Pacific Time. Drawings are held at WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia. Check with your state lottery for the cut-off time to purchase tickets.

Can I buy Mega Millions® tickets online?

If you are in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, or the District of Columbia, you may buy Mega Millions^® tickets online by registering with the lotteries in those jurisdictions. You may also purchase subscriptions for Mega Millions online in New York. In most cases, you must be residents of these jurisdictions to participate in these purchase options, but in all cases you must be physically within their borders when you make any online ticket purchases. Details may be found on those lotteries' websites (see Where to Play).

Can I buy Mega Millions® tickets if I live in another country?

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. You do not need to be a resident or citizen to win. However, Mega Millions^® tickets are NOT sold outside the United States. Mega Millions is NOT affiliated with and does NOT endorse any company claiming to sell our tickets around the world, online or otherwise. If you choose to do business with one of these companies, you do so at your own risk -- it would be up to the lottery that actually sold the ticket here to decide whether that ticket is valid. We also stress that Mega Millions rules prohibit the purchase of tickets by agents representing players in other jurisdictions.

Is there a Mega Millions® mobile app?

Because Mega Millions^® is sold by individual lotteries, there is no official game app (although our website is a mobile-first design). Most lotteries have their own apps, which typically contain information about the games they offer, including Mega Millions. Some lotteries’ apps also provide winning number notifications and other useful tools.

Where can I get results for Mega Millions®?

Right here on the official Mega Millions^® website. Winning numbers are posted shortly after each drawing. Information on the number of winners is posted on megamillions.com after all lotteries have certified their results; typically 90 minutes to two hours after each drawing.

Many television, radio, news and other media outlets carry the winning numbers for each drawing. All participating lotteries also will have the winning numbers posted on their official websites. Many individual lotteries offer an email or texting service where you can automatically receive winning numbers after each draw. Find your lottery on our Where to Play page for more information. You can also call a player information telephone number in each Mega Millions state. These numbers are listed on the Contact Us page.

How is Mega Millions® run?

Mega Millions^® is a consortium of jurisdictions, not an actual legal entity. The Mega Millions Consortium is comprised of nine Member Lotteries and their directors. The group is governed by the nine directors, who are signatories to the membership agreement.
 
Unlike some multi-state or multi-country lotteries that have central offices, all Mega Millions duties are shared by Member Lotteries as part of their membership in the game. The group in its entirety is responsible for setting game rules and regulations and overseeing all operational and financial aspects of the Mega Millions game. This work is conducted by the employees of the Member Lotteries.

While most accounting is handled by each participating lottery individually, key duties such as projecting jackpots, budgeting and expenditures, settlements of draw and wagering data, financial settlements (prize expense shares and banking/cash settlements), monitoring of draw data and statistics, public relations, draw show production and broadcasting, technical duties (i.e. software development) and legal work are all shared by the Member Lotteries.

How was Mega Millions® created?

The history of Mega Millions^® is as exciting as playing the game! It started out as the Big Game in 1996. Following a record $363 million Big Game jackpot in 2000, interest in multi-state games was at an all-time high.

As interest in the multi-state games grew, so did the participants. In May 2002, New York and Ohio joined the existing Big Game participants Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey and Virginia to create Mega Millions! Sales for the country's newest multi-state jackpot game began on May 15, 2002, and the first drawing was May 17, 2002.

It didn't take long for players in other states to join the mega fun! By September 2002, Washington had joined Mega Millions and in December 2003, Texas began offering the game to its players. In June 2005, California became the 12th member, solidifying Mega Millions as the country's most widely played multi-state jackpot game. On January 31, 2010, 23 more state lotteries joined Mega Millions as an historic cross-selling agreement between Mega Millions and Powerball went into effect. Today, all American lotteries participate in Mega Millions, including the Virgin Islands Lottery.

I received an email or phone call saying I won Mega Millions®. Is it legitimate?

If you have not already purchased a Mega Millions^® ticket from a participating lottery, then this is a scam. You can’t win any legitimate lottery if you didn’t buy a ticket.

Scams take many forms and the scammers use many tricks. In most cases, the criminals e-mail, text or call to tell intended victims they have won a large prize. They might identify themselves as being with Mega Millions or another legitimate lottery, even though Mega Millions is a game, not an organization, and is only sold through participating lotteries.

These scams all have one thing in common: they try to trick you into sending them money or personal information by claiming that you have won a large lottery prize. The crooks usually try to get you to wire money for “taxes” or “fees,” or may try to get you to provide them with a bank account number, which they will then clean out.

Please contact your local lottery if you have any questions or have received a suspicious email or phone call.

More information can be found here.