Current:Home > NewsThe Mega Millions jackpot is $800 million. In what states can the winner remain anonymous. -FundTrack
The Mega Millions jackpot is $800 million. In what states can the winner remain anonymous.
SafeX Pro Exchange View
Date:2025-04-09 23:19:42
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! (59)
Related
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Jennifer Lopez files for divorce from Ben Affleck after 2 years of marriage
- Defense attorneys for Boston Marathon bomber seek recusal of judge overseeing case
- Kansas mom sentenced to life in prison after her 2-year-old son fatally shot her 4-year-old daughter
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Bachelor Nation's Rachel Recchia Details Health Battle While Addressing Plastic Surgery Rumors
- Beware of these potential fantasy football busts, starting with Texans WR Stefon Diggs
- KARD on taking a refined approach to new album: 'We chose to show our maturity'
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Break Up, File for Divorce After 2 Years of Marriage
Ranking
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- Mall guard tells jurors he would not have joined confrontation that led to man’s death
- Bears almost made trade for Matthew Judon; 'Hard Knocks' showcases near-deal
- Savannah Chrisley Shares Email Mom Julie Chrisley Sent From Prison
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Jennifer Lopez's Ex Alex Rodriguez Posts Cryptic Message Amid Split From Ben Affleck
- Questions remain as tech company takes blame for glitch in Florida county election websites
- Mayim Bialik, other celebs are doing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. What is it?
Recommendation
Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
Incumbents beat DeSantis-backed candidates in Florida school board race
Glen Powell Looks Unrecognizable After Transforming Into Quarterback for New TV Show Chad Powers
Anthony Edwards trashes old-school NBA: Nobody had skill except Michael Jordan
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
Military veteran pleads guilty to illegal possession of ricin
Robert Downey Jr. reveals the story behind his return to Marvel in Doctor Doom role
Harris’ family members are popping up around Chicago this week during the DNC. Here’s who’s who