Current:Home > FinanceIf there is a Mega Millions winner Tuesday, they can collect anonymously in these states -ProsperityStream Academy
If there is a Mega Millions winner Tuesday, they can collect anonymously in these states
View
Date:2025-04-16 11:44:45
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! (8553)
Related
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- Here's how to make the perfect oven
- How to watch the Geminid meteor shower this weekend
- What is Sora? Account creation paused after high demand of AI video generator
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- OpenAI releases AI video generator Sora to all customers
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Is that Cillian Murphy as a zombie in the '28 Years Later' trailer?
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
Ranking
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- With the Eras Tour over, what does Taylor Swift have up her sleeve next? What we know
- Man on trial in Ole Miss student’s death lied to investigators, police chief says
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Analysis: After Juan Soto’s megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soon
- Gas prices set to hit the lowest they've been since 2021, AAA says
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
Recommendation
Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
New York Climate Activists Urge Gov. Hochul to Sign ‘Superfund’ Bill
10 cars with 10 cylinders: The best V
Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
Orcas are hunting whale sharks. Is there anything they can't take down?
Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine