Current:Home > reviewsThe Mega Millions jackpot is $800 million. In what states can the winner remain anonymous. -Thrive Money Mindset
The Mega Millions jackpot is $800 million. In what states can the winner remain anonymous.
View
Date:2025-04-24 10:02:15
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! (56)
Related
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Former NHL player Adam Johnson dies after 'freak accident' during game in England
- Indianapolis police say 1 dead, 9 others injured in overnight shooting at Halloween party
- Former Rangers owner George W. Bush throws first pitch before World Series Game 1 in Texas
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- White House state dinner for Australia strikes measured tone in nod to Israel-Hamas war
- Like writing to Santa Claus: Doctor lands on 'Flower Moon' set after letter to Scorsese
- Ohio high court upholds 65-year prison term in thefts from nursing homes, assisted living facilities
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- The FDA warns consumers to stop using several eyedrop products due to infection risk
Ranking
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Joe Thornton officially retires from the NHL after 24-year career
- 1 dead, 8 others injured in shooting at large party in Indianapolis
- Oprah chooses Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward as new book club pick
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Olivia Rodrigo and when keeping tabs on your ex, partner goes from innocent to unhealthy
- China launches fresh 3-man crew to Tiangong space station
- In Myanmar, a Facebook post deemed inflammatory led to an ex-minister’s arrest
Recommendation
Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
NASCAR Martinsville playoff race 2023: Start time, TV, streaming, lineup for Xfinity 500
49ers QB Brock Purdy cleared to start against Bengals after concussion in Week 7
5 children die in boat accident while on school outing to Kenya amusement park
Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
Colorado DB Shilo Sanders ejected after big hit in loss to UCLA
See How Kelsea Ballerini, Chase Stokes and More Stars Are Celebrating Halloween 2023
Mass graves, unclaimed bodies and overcrowded cemeteries. The war robs Gaza of funeral rites