The American Mega Millions lottery commands the attention of lotto fans from around the world with the enormity of its jackpots and prizes. Mega Millions’ holds two of the top three main prizes and the world record for the biggest lottery win $656 million won in 2012. It has also distributed $390 million in 2007 and $380 million in 2011. Mega Millions’ wide range of secondary prize divisions increases the possibility of players taking home a win and contributes to its universal popularity.
Check lottery results for more than 70 world lottos including the U.S. Mega Millions.
Mega Millions History
Mega Millions was originally called the “Big Game,” becoming the “Big Game Mega Millions” in 1996 and offered in various states around America such as Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Virginia. The lottery's additional number underwent a name change in the same year, leaving behind its original name, “Gold Ball, ” in favor of "Mega Ball."
In the US, players can purchase Mega Millions tickets in Florida, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, US Virgin Islands, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Beginning on Wednesday, May 15th, Florida will join the other 42 states that offer the US lotto giant. The Florida Lottery will be bringing in the new multi-state game for players to enjoy, promising higher prize pools with the popularity of the lottery among Florida resident. Florida lotto fans, already fond of the America's other lotto behemoth Powerball, have been awaiting the arrival of the world-record holding Mega Millions for quite some time.
At the outset, the Mega Millions only offered players the ability to play 5 out of 56 numbers, with an additional Mega Ball selected from a guess range of 1-46. In 2003, Texas led the way in prize innovation when it began offering the option to play the Megaplier, an optional prize feature that can multiply secondary wins by up to four times. By 2011, all the Mega Millions states offered the Megaplier option.
The lottery’s record jackpot of $656 million reached the massive sum thanks to additional funds flooding into the prize pool as ticket sales in the 44 participating states shot up dramatically. The lottery rolled over when a $363 Mega Millions jackpot prize went unclaimed, and jumped to $476 million, $500 million, $540 million, $640 million, and finally $656 million within just four days! The Mega Millions jackpot was claimed by three lucky ticket holders on the 30th March 2012, after the lottery’s results were published and the millions of tickets that had been purchased were checked. The winning Mega Millions tickets were sold in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland.
Mega Millions Rules
To play, participants select five regular balls from a guess range of 1-56, as well as an additional Mega Ball from a separate number matrix with a guess range of 1-46.
Compare lottery rules for 70+ world lottos on theLotter information pages.
Winning the Mega Millions
MegaMillions has nine prize categories, and to win the jackpot players must match the first five numbers as well as the Mega Ball. If the winner is a US resident, income taxes are applied to jackpots. If the winner is a non-resident, taxes carry a 30% flat fee. MegaMillions’ record jackpot of $656 million was claimed in 2012 by three lucky ticket winners.
theLotter.com Mega Millions Winners
Local Luck - In October 2009, T. K., who had recently registered with theLotter.com, became the lucky winner of the second prize in Mega Millions, taking home one quarter of a million dollars! While T.K. didn’t have to travel far to collect the US$250,000, this big winner was assisted by theLotter.com’s customer service staff throughout the entire process.
Swiss Bliss - N.B., a Swiss resident who used theLotter.com to play the USA Mega Millions, won US$250,000 in April 2011. This lucky player purchased a ticket for the Mega Millions drawing that was going to be held the very next night. While the winner missed the Mega Ball required to win the MegaMillions jackpot, he certainly wasn’t complaining about a 2nd place prize of $250,000 for matching the other 5 numbers correctly!
After theLotter.com notified the player about his big win, he was asked to provide several forms of identification prior to ticket collection in New York City. Upon arrival in New York, the winner met with theLotter.com’s local representative and attorney to receive his winning lottery ticket and then proceeded to the official Mega Millions local office to claim his $250,000 prize! Already aware of what to expect regarding the location and hours of operation of the Mega Millions thanks to online lottery ticket provider theLotter, the lucky winner collected his check without a glitch!
Third Time’s The Charm -B.G. from Spain took home the second place Mega Millions win of US$250,000 in March 2012, making him the third theLotter customer to claim this prize from the world-famous American Mega Millions lottery. The lucky Spanish player has been a member of theLotter since 2009 where he enjoyed all the biggest lottery names from the comfort of his home. He was pleased he had decided to follow the multi-state lotto jackpot as it grew by leaps and bounds and especially pleased to see his numbers come out. Following his win, B.G. was immediately informed by theLotter’s customer service team that his five lucky numbers (1, 4, 6, 11, and 14) made him the recipient of the $250,000 prize in addition to four 5th place prizes of $150 for four correct guesses (4, 6,11,14 ) in four other tickets!
Mega Millions Anecdotes
The Never Ending Rollover - Mega Millions amazed fans as the lottery’s top prize sped past the half a billion dollar mark all the way up to a $656 million prize by the time it was claimed by three lucky winners on March 30th, in draw 2012/26. When the lottery’s $363 million jackpot was left unclaimed in draw 2012/25, the lottery offered a $476 million prize for the next draw; however, record-breaking ticket sales pushed the estimated jackpot prize even higher. In a matter of days, Mega Millions grew from $476 million, to $500 million, $540 million, $640 million, and was finally declared a prize of $656 million after all ticket sales were tallied after the draw!
Twice the Luck - In November of 2003, Stephen Cook was thrilled to find out he had won the $39.9 million Mega Millions jackpot. When he got to the Atlanta headquarters he was told two other players had also won so he would be sharing the sizable prize with them. However, when the lottery officials checked the winning names they were shocked to see Stephen Cook’s name twice! Apparently, Mr Cook hadn’t realized he’d purchased his tickets (with the same numbers) twice, thus entitling him to two thirds of the win, or two checks for $13.3 million!
All About Family - While winners traditionally come with one or two other people to collect their big wins, Margaret Jones shocked Mega Millions lottery officials in 2005 when she arrived to the Atlanta headquarters with her entire extended family in a large luxury bus singing and cheering. The group took turns holding the $130 million check on the bus home, celebrating the whole way.
Players who love the Mega Millions may enjoy playing other lotteries that draw on the power of multiple states and countries. Play Europe's EuroMillions lottery online, or see if U.S. PowerBall numbers are worth more than MegaMillions in 2013.