Mega Millions
Mega Millions is one of the biggest lotteries in the world, holding the record for the largest jackpot ever won by a single ticket. The game offers a minimum jackpot of US$40 million (approximately ₹2.5 billion) that rolls over and gets bigger until it's won. This exciting international lottery is played across 47 US states and jurisdictions, with more players joining in online from abroad. Draws are held on Tuesday and Friday nights in Atlanta, Georgia.
How to play Mega Millions
You can play Mega Millions in India by choosing your numbers online through a lottery concierge service. Because the draw is held overseas, there is no issue with Indian lottery laws and Indian citizens may legally play from anywhere in the country. You can safely purchase tickets for this record-breaking international lottery from your computer or phone, without the need to go to the USA! You can click the 'Play Now' button above to get started right away, or visit the How to Play page for details on how to play Mega Millions from India.
Playing Mega Millions is easy. Players choose five main numbers from 1-70, and a sixth Mega Ball number between 1 and 25. There is also the option to add Megaplier for a small extra fee. Megaplier is a number that multiplies non-jackpot prizes up to five times. The Megaplier number is between 2 and 5 and is drawn separately from the main game.
Draws take place every Tuesday and Friday night at 11pm Eastern Standard Time in Georgia, which is early Wednesday and Saturday morning in India.
MegaMillions Online
You can play MegaMillions online by choosing your numbers here online. Visit the How to Play page for more information on playing Mega Millions from India.
The table below shows the prize tier breakdown, odds, and prize values and winners from the most recent draw for all US states excluding California.
| Prize Category | Prize Amount | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|---|
| Match 5 plus Mega Ball | Minimum $40 Million | 1 in 302,575,350 |
| Match 5 | $1 Million | 1 in 12,607,306 |
| Match 4 plus Mega Ball | $10,000 | 1 in 931,001 |
| Match 4 | $500 | 1 in 38,792 |
| Match 3 plus Mega Ball | $200 | 1 in 14,547 |
| Match 3 | $10 | 1 in 606 |
| Match 2 plus Mega Ball | $10 | 1 in 693 |
| Match 1 plus Mega Ball | $4 | 1 in 89 |
| Match 0 plus Mega Ball | $2 | 1 in 37 |
Biggest Jackpots
Mega Millions holds the record for the third largest jackpot in the world. Here are the top six biggest jackpots in the history of the game.
| Amount | Date | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| $1.5 billion (₹117 billion) | 23rd October 2018 | One South Carolina ticket holder |
| $656 million (₹48.3 billion) | 30th March 2012 | Merle and Patricia Butler from Illinois, three work colleagues from Maryland, and an anonymous winner from Kansas |
| $648 million (₹47.7 billion) | 17th December 2013 | Ira Curry from Georgia and Steve Tran of California |
| $543 million (₹39.9 billion) | 24th July 2018 | 11 Office workers from Santa Clara County, California |
| $536 million (₹39.7 billion) | 8th July 2016 | Warren D, LLC, of Indiana |
| $533 million (₹39.2 billion) | 30th March 2018 | Richard Wahl from Vernon, New Jersey |
Mega Millions FAQs
1. Can I play Mega Millions from India?
Yes, you can choose your numbers online. Find out more about this service by visiting the How to Play page.
2. How do I play Mega Millions from India?
Simply visit the Lottery Tickets page and select the 'Play Now' button. Once an online account has been opened, choose five numbers between 1 and 70 plus one Mega number between 1 and 25. For more help on playing Mega Millions from India, visit the How to Play page.
3. What is the Megaplier?
The Megaplier option multiplies any non-jackpot winnings by up to a multiple of 5, depending on which Megaplier number is drawn. After the main draw has taken place, the Megaplier will be drawn from a third pool of numbers ranging from two to five. Each player who has opted to play the Megaplier and has won a non-jackpot prize will see their standard prize multiplied by Megaplier number drawn.
4. Can I play Mega Millions from any Indian state?
Yes. Indian lottery laws only apply to lotteries operating within India and do not apply to Indian citizens playing lotteries operating in other countries.
5. How do I collect my winnings?
Prizes are automatically paid into your online account and can then be withdrawn using your chosen method of payment or used to purchase lottery tickets for future draws.
6. How long do I have to claim my winnings?
Should you be lucky enough to win a prize, you will be informed of your win via text message or email shortly after the draw has taken place. Winnings are transferred immediately to your player account for you to withdraw or spend on tickets for future lottery draws.
7. Is there any tax to pay on Mega Millions prizes?
Tax is not withheld from your prize when you win. However, you may be liable to income tax depending on the value of the prize and your own personal circumstances.
8. Do I need to pay a fee to collect the winnings?
No. The player receives the full value of their prize.
Biggest Jackpot Winners
Mega Millions has a total of nine prize tiers and a 1 in 24 chance of winning a prize. If there are no jackpot winners then the amount will roll over to the following draw. Mega Millions is famous for regularly generating jackpots in excess of $200 million (approximately ₹12,300,000,000), due to frequent rollovers.
The largest ever jackpot win was a massive $1.5 billion (approximately ₹ 117,000,000,000). This was won by a single ticket holder from South Carolina in October 2018, and ended a run of 25 consecutive rollovers.
Jackpot winners have the option of receiving their winnings in a discounted cash lump sum or as an annuity in which the full amount is paid out over 30 years.