Current:Home > ScamsIf there is a Mega Millions winner Tuesday, they can collect anonymously in these states -CapitalEdge
If there is a Mega Millions winner Tuesday, they can collect anonymously in these states
SignalHub View
Date:2025-04-07 02:49:39
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! (43546)
Related
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Climber celebrating 80th birthday found dead on Mount Rainier
- New Yorkers hunker down indoors as Canadian wildfire smoke smothers city
- Kim Kardashian's Son Psalm West Celebrates 4th Birthday at Fire Truck-Themed Party
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Early signs a new U.S. COVID surge could be on its way
- IVF Has Come A Long Way, But Many Don't Have Access
- Jay Johnston, Bob's Burgers and Arrested Development actor, charged for alleged role in Jan. 6 attack
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- 8 Answers to the Judge’s Climate Change Questions in Cities vs. Fossil Fuels Case
Ranking
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Mama June Shannon Shares Update on Daughter Anna Chickadee' Cardwell's Cancer Battle
- Medical debt ruined her credit. 'It's like you're being punished for being sick'
- California Well Leaking Methane Ordered Sealed by Air Quality Agency
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Miami's Little Haiti joins global effort to end cervical cancer
- Climate Legal Paradox: Judges Issue Dueling Rulings for Cities Suing Fossil Fuel Companies
- Alaska’s Bering Sea Lost a Third of Its Ice in Just 8 Days
Recommendation
Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
Today’s Climate: July 3-4, 2010
Planned Parenthood mobile clinic will take abortion to red-state borders
Leaking Well Temporarily Plugged as New Questions Arise About SoCal Gas’ Actions
Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
Today’s Climate: July 6, 2010
There's a spike in respiratory illness among children — and it's not just COVID
Do Hundreds of Other Gas Storage Sites Risk a Methane Leak Like California’s?