How to play, draw time, buy tickets, more

On By Littum

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Mega Millions players can ring in the new year as a billionaire if the odds are in their favor.

Just a few hours after the draw on Friday, December 27, the jackpot is worth an estimated $1.22 billion. If the lucky winner chooses the cash option, they could take home $549.7 million, the lottery said.

The last time someone won a Mega Millions jackpot was back in September. A Texas player won the $810 million prize. Another lucky player won $1.128 billion in March. On December 23, the New Jersey player claimed their prize. The largest lottery jackpot in Mega Millions history was a $1.602 billion prize from a winning ticket in Florida in August 2023.

With the jackpot continuing to rise, more people are trying their luck at the game. If no one wins tonight’s jackpot, the top prize will continue to grow until a winner is declared.

Ready to try your luck? Here’s a guide on how to play Mega Millions.

Lotto winner: The winner steps forward and claims the $1.1 billion Mega Millions jackpot nearly 9 months after the drawing

What time does Mega Millions draw?

Mega Millions drawings are every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. Next drawing is Friday, December 27.

Winning lotto numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier from the USA TODAY Network.

What are the top 10 Mega Millions jackpots?

According to the lottery, the following jackpots are top 10 jackpots has been won per December 27:

  1. 1.602 billion dollarsAugust 8, 2023; a Florida player
  2. 1.537 billion dollarsOctober 23, 2018; a South Carolina player
  3. 1.348 billion dollarsJanuary 13, 2023; a Maine player
  4. 1.337 billion dollars29 July 2022; an Illinois player
  5. 1.128 billion dollarsMarch 26, 2024; a New Jersey player
  6. 1.050 billion dollars22 January 2021; a Michigan player
  7. 810 million dollarsSeptember 10, 2024; a Texas player
  8. 656 million dollarsMarch 30, 2012; a player from Illinois, Kansas and Maryland
  9. 648 million dollarsDecember 17, 2013; a player from California and Georgia
  10. 552 million dollarsJune 4, 2024; an Illinois player

How to play Mega Millions

Mega Millions tickets cost $2 each. game.

To play, select six numbers from two separate pools of numbers: either five different numbers from 1-70 for the white numbers, and one number from 1-25 for the gold mega ball.

You win the Mega Millions jackpot by matching your numbers with all six numbers drawn in the drawing.

If you don’t want to pick your own numbers, or if you’d rather leave it up to chance, Mega Millions has a random number generator on its website, where a computer will randomly generate opportunities for white balls and a Mega Ball.

Players can add “Megaplier” for $1, which can increase non-major prize winnings by two, three, four or five. The Megapiller is drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesday and Friday.

There are 15 Megapillar balls in total:

  • 2Xfive balls
  • 3Xsix balls
  • 4Xthree balls
  • 5Xa ball

What is Megaplier?

Most states offer Megaplier feature, a multiplier that increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four and five times.

It costs an additional $1 per game. 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.”

What are the odds of winning Mega Millions?

Your odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are pretty slim: just 1 in 302,575,350, according to the lottery.

The odds of winning the smaller $1 million prize are 1 in 12,607,306.

Where to buy Mega Millions tickets

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and convenience stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online via Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier from the USA TODAY Networkin these US 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 DC and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to select your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket and claim your winnings all from your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn money 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); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.