Current:Home > reviewsThe Mega Millions jackpot is $800 million. In what states can the winner remain anonymous. -Pinnacle Profit Strategies
The Mega Millions jackpot is $800 million. In what states can the winner remain anonymous.
View
Date:2025-04-13 15:48:08
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! (64)
Related
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Jeep Wrangler ditches manual windows, marking the end of an era for automakers
- Two boys, ages 12 and 13, charged in assault on ex-NY Gov. David Paterson and his stepson
- The Biden administration isn’t extending a two-year program for migrants from 4 nations
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- NFL’s Buccaneers relocating ahead of hurricane to practice for Sunday’s game at New Orleans
- 'The Princess Diaries 3' prequel is coming, according to Anne Hathaway: 'MIracles happen'
- Andrew Garfield Reveals Sex Scene With Florence Pugh Went “Further” Than Intended
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Andy Kim and Curtis Bashaw clash over abortion and immigration in New Jersey Senate debate
Ranking
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's crossword puzzle, Cross My Heart (Freestyle)
- Week 5 fantasy football rankings: PPR, half-PPR and standard leagues
- Billie Jean King named grand marshal for the 136th Rose Parade on Jan. 1
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- For US adversaries, Election Day won’t mean the end to efforts to influence Americans
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Open Bar
- Kristen Doute Reveals Surprising Status of Stassi Schroeder Friendship After Recent Engagement
Recommendation
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
NFL Week 5 injury report: Live updates for active, inactive players for Sunday's games
Judge rules the FTC can proceed with antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, tosses out few state claims
RHOSLC Star Whitney Rose's 14-Year-Old Daughter Bobbie Taken to the ICU
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
SpaceX launch: Europe's Hera spacecraft on way to study asteroid Dimorphos
Jalen Milroe lost Heisman, ACC favors Miami lead college football Week 6 overreactions
South Korean woman sues government and adoption agency after her kidnapped daughter was sent abroad