Mega Millions: When is next drawing, how to play, how much is lottery jackpot and more
Is everyone talking about Mega Millions and you feel left in the dark?
No worries. You're covered.
This is a quick guide to help you navigate the game from how to play and when the drawing is to how much a winning ticket is worth.
Check out the latest results:Winning Mega Million numbers for January 10, 2023. With no winner, jackpot hits $1.35B
Here's what you need to know about the Mega Millions:
How much is the Mega Millions lottery jackpot?
The current Mega Millions jackpot stands at $1.35 billion, with a cash option of $707.9 million. The jackpot is currently the second highest in Mega Millions history.
The only Mega Millions jackpot larger than Friday’s estimated prize is the game record of $1.537 billion, won in South Carolina on October 23, 2018.
Mega Millions numbers and results
Nobody matched all six numbers to win the Mega Millions jackpot.
A total of 13 tickets matched all five numbers except for the Mega Ball worth $1 million. Massachusetts and Ohio sold two winning tickets each, while the other winners were bought in California, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Three tickets matched all five numbers except for the Mega Ball and added the Megaplier worth $3 million. Those tickets were purchased in Connecticut, Florida and New York.
When is the Mega Millions drawing?
Mega Millions drawings are held at 11 p.m. EDT and are held at WSB-TV in Atlanta. Videos of the latest Mega Millions drawing can be found at the Mega Millions YouTube channel.
When is the next Mega Millions drawing?
The next drawing is Friday, Jan. 13. Mega Millions draws occur twice a week, on every Tuesday and Friday.
Where to buy Mega Millions tickets
You can play Mega Millions in 45 states, as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To find locations, search the Mega Millions website.
In Kentucky, residents can also purchase tickets online at www.KYLottery.com.
When is the cutoff time to buy Mega Millions tickets?
Kentucky residents can purchase Mega Millions tickets up to 10:45 p.m. ET. Each state's cutoff time varies. Check with your local lottery office for details.
How much a Mega Millions ticket costs
Two dollars will get you in the game for Mega Millions. For an additional $1, lottery hopefuls can add the Megaplier which can multiply your non-jackpot winnings up to five times.
How to play Mega Millions
The Hoosier Lottery offers an instructional video on how to play Mega Millions:
Just the Jackpot for Mega Millions
At a price of $3, the Mega Millions players will receive two plays for the jackpot only in some states. Just the Jackpot tickets are not eligible for any other prizes. Visit your local lottery’s website to see if the offer is available in your state.
How much do you get for 2 numbers on Mega Millions?
Two numbers will not win you anything in Mega Millions, unless one of the numbers is the Mega Ball.
How many numbers do I need to win money on Mega Millions?
Technically, Mega Millions players only need to match one number to win money in the game. However, that number has to be the Mega Ball, which is worth $2. Click "How to Play" on the Mega Millions website for more details on payout information.
Odds of winning Mega Millions
There is a 1 in 24 chance of winning any Mega Millions prize. Chances for hitting the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350.
Mega Millions' last jackpot winner
Here is the list of 2022 Mega Millions jackpot wins, according to megamillions.com:
$426 million — Jan. 28; South California.
$128 million — Mar. 8; New York.
$110 million — April 12; Minnesota.
$20 million — April 15; Tennessee.
Top 10 Mega Millions lottery jackpots
Here are the all-time top 10 Mega Millions jackpots, according to megamillions.com:
$1.537 billion — Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina.
$1.28 billion Mega Millions — July 29, 2022; TBD.
$1.05 billion — Jan. 22, 2021; Michigan
$656 million — Mar. 30, 2012; Kansas, Illinois, Maryland.
$648 million — Dec. 17, 2013; California, Georgia.
$543 million — July 24, 2018; California.
$536 million — July 8, 2016; Indiana.
$533 million — Mar. 30, 2018; New Jersey.
$522 million — June 7, 2019; California.
$516 million — May 21, 2021; Pennsylvania.
Top 10 U.S. lottery jackpots
Here are the nation's all-time top 10 Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots, according to powerball.com:
$1.586 billion, Powerball — Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida, Tennessee.
$1.537 billion, Mega Millions — Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina.
$1.28 billion Mega Millions — July 29, 2022; TBD.
$1.05 billion, Mega Millions — Jan. 22, 2021; Michigan.
$768.4 million, Powerball — Mar. 27, 2019; Wisconsin.
$758.7 million, Powerball — Aug. 23, 2017; Massachusetts.
$731.1 million, Powerball — Jan. 20, 2021; Maryland.
$699.8 million, Powerball — Oct. 4, 2021; California.
$687.8 million, Powerball — Oct. 27, 2018; Iowa, New York.
$656 million, Mega Millions — Mar. 30, 2012; Kansas, Illinois, Maryland.
Chris Sims is a digital producer at Midwest DOT. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mega Millions: What you need to know from how to play to next drawing
