California Lottery Mega Millions: All You Need to Know

California Mega Millions is one of the most popular lotteries in the United States. It is a multi-state draw game played in 45 states along with the District of Colombia and the Virgin Islands.

First started in 1996 in 6 US states, the lottery has become more popular over the years. In 2013, Mega Million relaunched and became the first jackpot offering second-tier prizes of up to $5 million.

As the chances of winning this lottery are very slim, the grand prize keeps on growing until a winner is declared. The largest jackpot ever won in the Mega Million history was worth $1.602 billion from a single ticket in Florida in August 2023.

How to play Mega Millions?

Ticket purchase:The Mega Millions lottery ticket can be purchased for $2 from any Lottery retailer. Usually, they can be found at grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations and some airport terminals.

Pick numbers: Players pick five numbers between 1 and 70, and a Mega number between 1 and 25. The numbers can also be picked using a randomiser. Once the playslip is printed, it cannot be cancelled or refunded.

Megaplier: Players can also add a "Megaplier" for $1 to increase the amount of non-jackpot prize winnings by two, three, four, or five times. Megaplier is drawn before the numbers for Mega Millions are drawn.

Draws frequency: Mega Million draw entries close at 7:45 pm Pacific Time on Tuesday and Friday, and the draws occur at 8 pm.

Winning: Mega Millions draws nine winning balls. The winning amount depends on how many numbers on your ticket match with the ones drawn. The players can also use the Lottery website and mobile application to check the winning numbers.

What are the odds of winning the lottery?

Odds: Chances of winning the Mega Million jackpot are very rare with a probability of 1 in 302,575,350, according to the lottery. While the odds of winning a smaller prize of $1 million are 1 in 12,607,306. The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.

Prize: The Mega Millions jackpot prize has often reached over $1 billion, which has attracted many players over the years even when the odds of winning remain low.

How to claim the prize?

Duration: The Mega Millions lottery prize can be claimed within 180 days from the draw that won you the prize. However, the Mega Million Jackpot prize can be claimed up to a year from the draw date.

Prizes up to $599: The prize must be claimed in the same state the ticket was purchased. Prizes worth up to $599 can be collected from any Lottery retail location.

Prizes above$599: If your winning amount is more than $599, you can collect the prize from any Lottery District Office or by mail. The winner has to fill out a Claim Form which is available at any Lottery retail location, District Office or download online. The filled Claim Form and lottery ticket are required to collect the prize.

Prize collection: The winners can opt to receive the prize money in two options. The first option allows them to claim the prize in 30 annual instalments. The second option offered by Mega Millions allows winners to claim the money in a single cash payment, however, it must be claimed within 60 days after the payment is authorised by the Lottery.

What other options does Mega Millions offer?

Advance Play: Mega Millions offers an Advance Play option for players, which lets them play multiple draws with one purchase. The players having this option can play up to 10 draws.

Group play: Mega Million also allows group play and multiple ownership claims. It allows up to 100 people to claim the reward.

For recent updates regarding the Mega Millions jackpot, visit the official website of the California Lottery.

(With inputs from agencies)