Current:Home > FinanceIf there is a Mega Millions winner Tuesday, they can collect anonymously in these states -Prosperity Pathways
If there is a Mega Millions winner Tuesday, they can collect anonymously in these states
View
Date:2025-04-15 19:32:26
The Mega Millions jackpot is up to an estimated $735 million, and players are dreaming about their numbers being pulled for Tuesday's drawing.
Laws in some states allow lottery winners to collect national lottery prizes like Powerball and Mega Millions anonymously. If there is a winner in one of those 17 states, we may never know who they are.
The last winner came in December when two tickets matched the numbers drawn and the winners split the $394 million prize in California, a state that doesn't provide anonymity.
Here are the places where winners can anonymously claim lottery prizes, and the requirements for them.
Where winners can claim the Mega Millions jackpot 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
Feeling Lucky? Explore the Latest Lottery News & Results
More:$70M Powerball winner, who was forced to reveal her identity, is now a fierce advocate for anonymity
What is the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever?
If the right six numbers are pulled Tuesday night, the jackpot as it stands would be the sixth-highest prize 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
- $1.05 billion from one winning ticket in January 2021 in Michigan
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, 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.
Way out of the office:Workers are living further from employer
veryGood! (5153)
Related
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- Malik Nabers is carrying Giants with his record rookie pace, and bigger spotlight awaits
- '7th Heaven' stars address Stephen Collins' 'inexcusable' sexual abuse on rewatch podcast
- Oklahoma prepares for an execution after parole board recommended sparing man’s life
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- Get in the holiday spirit: Hallmark releases its 'Countdown to Christmas' movie lineup
- Home cookin': Diners skipping restaurants and making more meals at home as inflation trend inverts
- Coach named nearly 400 times in women's soccer abuse report no longer in SafeSport database
- Sam Taylor
- Ports seek order to force dockworkers to bargaining table as strike looms at East and Gulf ports
Ranking
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- What to know about Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight: date, odds, how to watch
- Northern lights forecast: Aurora borealis may appear in multiple US states, NOAA says
- The Masked Singer's First Season 12 Celebrity Reveal Is a Total Touchdown
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- A Black student punished for his hairstyle wants to return to the Texas school he left
- Vanessa Williams talks 'Survivor,' Miss America controversy and working with Elton John
- Vanessa Williams talks 'Survivor,' Miss America controversy and working with Elton John
Recommendation
How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
Republican Wisconsin congressman falsely suggests city clerk was lying about absentee ballots
Alabama death row inmate's murders leaves voids in victims' families: 'I'll never forget'
No forgiveness: Family of Oklahoma man gunned down rejects death row inmate's pleas
Could your smelly farts help science?
It's not just fans: A's players have eyes on their own Oakland Coliseum souvenirs, too
Federal lawsuit challenging mask ban in suburban New York county dismissed
Who plays on Thursday Night Football? Breaking down Week 4 matchup