15+ Mega Millions Drawing Times Article
Everything You Need to Know About the Mega Millions Drawing Times in 2023
What is the Mega Millions Lottery?
The Mega Millions lottery is a multi-state lottery game played in 44 states in the United States, as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The lottery is operated by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), which is a non-profit organization owned and operated by the lotteries of the participating states. The jackpot starts at a minimum of $40 million and increases by at least $5 million every time the grand prize is not won. The current record for the largest Mega Millions jackpot is $1.537 billion, which was won in October 2018.
Mega Millions Drawing Times
The Mega Millions drawing occurs twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday evenings at 11 p.m. Eastern Time. The drawing is held at the MUSL headquarters in Tallahassee, Florida. Tickets are available for sale up until 10:45 p.m. Eastern Time on draw nights. Ticket sales will be suspended during the drawing, and resume afterwards.
How to Play Mega Millions
To play the Mega Millions game, players must choose 5 numbers from 1 to 70, plus an additional number from 1 to 25 (the “Mega Ball”). Players can select their own numbers, or they can opt for a “Quick Pick,” which will generate a random selection. Tickets cost $2 per play. If all 6 numbers match the winning numbers, the player wins the jackpot. There are also 8 other prize tiers, ranging from $2 for matching just the Mega Ball, up to $1 million for matching all 5 numbers, but not the Mega Ball.
Megaplier Option
The Megaplier option allows players to increase their non-jackpot winnings by 2, 3, 4, or 5 times. To add the Megaplier option, players must add an additional $1 to their ticket. The Megaplier number drawn is chosen from a pool of 15 numbers, with 5 of those numbers corresponding to each Megaplier multiplier. For example, if the Megaplier number drawn is 3, all non-jackpot prizes will be multiplied by 3.
Mega Millions Payouts
Mega Millions payouts can vary depending on the number of winners, the number of tickets sold, and the total amount of money wagered. The Mega Millions jackpot is paid out in annual installments, or in a lump sum payment. Non-jackpot prizes are paid out in a single, lump sum payment.
Where to Buy Tickets
Mega Millions tickets can be purchased from authorized lottery retailers in each of the participating states. Tickets can also be purchased online from the official Mega Millions website. Players must be at least 18 years old to purchase tickets.
Claiming Prizes
Winning tickets must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date. Winners have the option to claim their prizes in either cash or annuity payments. Cash prizes must be claimed at the lottery's headquarters in the state where the ticket was purchased. Annuity prizes are paid out in annual installments over a period of 30 years.
Important Tips
Before purchasing a Mega Millions ticket, it is important to remember that lottery winnings are subject to both federal and state taxes. Additionally, lottery tickets should always be kept in a safe place and never thrown away. Finally, it is important to remember to purchase tickets before the draw time, which is 10:45 p.m. Eastern Time on draw nights.