Current:Home > reviewsThe Mega Millions jackpot is $800 million. In what states can the winner remain anonymous. -NextWave Wealth Hub
The Mega Millions jackpot is $800 million. In what states can the winner remain anonymous.
View
Date:2025-04-13 12:04:03
The Mega Millions jackpot soared to a colossal $800 million on Tuesday, enticing players to get in on the action.
Laws in some states allow for national lottery winners to collect the prize anonymously. If the third Mega Millions winner of the year is in one of those states come Tuesday, we may never know who they are.
Tuesday's jackpot clears all prize-size requirements in states that have them. Arkansas is the only state that grants anonymity for winners on a temporary basis, with the identities of winners in the state shielded for three years.
The last winner was in June, when someone in Illinois took advantage of the state's anonymity laws to claim the $552 million prize.
Here are the places where winners can anonymously claim lottery prizes, and the requirements for them.
Feeling Lucky? Explore the Latest Lottery News & Results
Where Mega Millions winners can claim anonymously
- Arizona: Prize must be over $100,000
- Arkansas: Prize must be over $500,000 and a winner is only anonymous for three years
- Delaware: Any prize
- Georgia: Prize must be over $250,000
- Illinois: Prize must be over $250,000
- Kansas: Any prize
- Maryland: Any prize
- Michigan: Prize must be over $10,000 in state-run games only
- Minnesota: Prize must be over $10,000
- Mississippi: Any prize
- Missouri: Any prize
- Montana: Any prize
- New Jersey: Any prize
- North Dakota: Any prize
- South Carolina: Any prize
- Texas: Prize must be over $1 million
- Virginia: Prize must be greater than $10 million
- West Virginia: Prize must be over $1 million
- Wyoming: Any prize
What is the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever?
If the right six numbers are pulled Tuesday night, the jackpot as it stands would not crack the top five largest prizes of all time. The top five are:
- $1.602 billion from one winning ticket in Florida in August 2023
- $1.537 billion from one winning ticket in October 2018 in South Carolina
- $1.35 billion from one winning ticket in January 2023 in Maine
- $1.34 billion from one winning ticket in July 2022 in Illinois
- $1.12 billion from one winning ticket in March 2024 in New Jersey
What are the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot?
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are long. Players have a one in 302,575,350 shot at winning the grand prize, a one in 12,607,306 shot at winning the $1 million prize and a one in 24 chance of winning any prize.
How to play Mega Millions
Tickets to Mega Millions cost $2 per play.
There are nine total ways to win a prize, from the jackpot to $2.
To play, pick five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. You can choose Easy Pick or Quick Pick to have the terminal randomly pick numbers for you. You win the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in the drawing.
What is the Megaplier?
Most states offer the Megaplier feature, which increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four and five times.
It costs an additional $1 per play. Before each regular Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier is drawn. From a pool of 15 balls, five are marked with "2X," three with "4X" and one with "5X."
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.
veryGood! (872)
Related
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- What we’ve learned so far in the Trump hush money trial and what to watch for as it wraps up
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Home Stretch
- Los Angeles police officer injured when she’s ejected from patrol vehicle after it’s stolen
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he’s sorry, calls his actions ‘inexcusable’
- Taylor Swift pauses acoustic set of Stockholm Eras Tour show to check on fans
- The Dow hit a new record. What it tells us about the economy, what it means for 401(k)s.
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Preakness Stakes payouts 2024: Complete betting results after Seize the Grey wins
Ranking
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Ohio voters approved reproductive rights. Will the state’s near-ban on abortion stand?
- 3 killed in western New York after vehicle hit by Amtrak train
- Mega Millions winning numbers for May 17 drawing: Jackpot rises to $421 million
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Israeli War Cabinet member says he'll quit government June 8 unless new war plan is adopted
- Child is among 3 dead after Amtrak train hits a pickup truck in upstate New York
- Bridgerton Season 3: Here Are the Biggest Changes Netflix Made From the Books
Recommendation
The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
How the Dow Jones all-time high compares to stock market leaps throughout history
Greg Olsen embraces role as pro youth sports dad and coach, provides helpful advice
American Idol Season 22 Winner Revealed
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
Disneyland's character performers vote to unionize
Sean 'Diddy' Combs apologizes for assaulting Cassie Ventura in 2016 video: 'I'm disgusted'
Move over pickle ball. A new type of 'rez ball' for seniors is taking Indian Country by storm