Mega Millions Rules

  • Updated

Mega Millions Rules

Mega Millions lets you bet on the outcome of America's Mega Millions. You select numbers in the same way as Mega Millions lottery players and the result of your bet is decided by the underlying lottery draw held at the studios of WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

Mega Millions draws Tuesday and Friday evenings at 23:00 Eastern Time (ET), including holidays. This is normally 04:00 UK time on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Summary

  • Draws Tuesday and Friday evenings at 23:00 Eastern Time (ET), which is approximately 04:00 UK time on Wednesdays and Saturdays
  • 1 in 24.1 chance of winning a prize per line bet
  • No minimum jackpot
  • No minimum jackpot growth
  • 9 ways to win
  • 5/70 + 1/25 (Mega Ball) format
  • Advance purchase option normally available
  • Boost option normally available

How to play and win

To make a bet:

A line bet consists of 6 numbers from 2 separate pools:

  • 5 different numbers from 1 to 70
  • 1 number from 1 to 25, known as the Mega Ball

You can choose your own numbers or use quick pick to have numbers selected for you.

Bet options:

You can:

  • Add line bets to your bet slip.
  • Bet upcoming draws with the future draws option, subject to availability.
  • Boost your line bets up to 32 times, subject to availability.

To win:

The objective is to match the numbers for each individual line bet to the numbers drawn in the underlying lottery draw.

  • 5 main numbers are drawn and 1 separate Mega Ball is drawn.
  • Matching all 5 main numbers and the Mega Ball in one line bet wins the jackpot.
  • You can only win 1 prize (the highest matching prize tier) for each line bet.

See below for all matching combinations.

How to check your results

We will make results available as soon as possible after the underlying draw has taken place. You will find all draw details by going to My Buys.

Most prizes will be credited to your account immediately. Bigger wins in the top prize tiers may be subject to additional verification procedures and adjustments. If you haven't heard from us directly, please check your bet ticket for more information and wait a few hours for your account to be credited.

Combinations & odds of winning

For prize values, see the prizes tab. Prize types are defined as follows:

  • Type A is a jackpot and means that the prize pool in this category will be divided by the total of all winning combinations by Lottomart players, players in the EU Lotto network, and players of the underlying lottery draw.
  • Type B is the same as Type A but is not a jackpot.
  • Type C means the prize awarded is independent of winners in the underlying draw and is not further adjusted by winning combinations by Lottomart players or players in the EU Lotto network.

Tier 1 (Jackpot)

  • Match 5 + Mega Ball to win
  • Type A prize & subject to adjustments
  • 1 in 302,575,350 odds of winning
  • No minimum jackpot

Tier 2

  • Match 5 to win
  • Type B prize & subject to adjustments
  • 1 in 12,607,306 odds of winning

Tier 3

  • Match 4 + Mega Ball to win
  • Type C prize & subject to adjustments
  • Fixed prize
  • 1 in 931,001 odds of winning

Tier 4

  • Match 4 to win
  • Type C prize
  • Fixed prize
  • 1 in 38,792 odds of winning

Tier 5

  • Match 3 + Mega Ball to win
  • Type C prize
  • Fixed prize
  • 1 in 14,547 odds of winning

Tier 6

  • Match 3 to win
  • Type C prize
  • Fixed prize
  • 1 in 606 odds of winning

Tier 7

  • Match 2 + Mega Ball to win
  • Type C prize
  • Fixed prize
  • 1 in 693 odds of winning

Tier 8

  • Match 1 + Mega Ball to win
  • Type C prize
  • Fixed prize
  • 1 in 89 odds of winning

Tier 9

  • Match the Mega Ball to win
  • Type C prize
  • Fixed prize
  • 1 in 37 odds of winning

Adjustments

Prize tiers 1, 2, and 3 are subject to a 38% reduction; the equivalent deduction for state and federal tax that is paid by winners of the underlying lottery draw.

Prize tier 1 (the jackpot) may be subject to an additional adjustment if it is paid all at once (lump sum) rather than in yearly instalments (annuity). Lump sum payouts are subject to a variable prize reduction, which is at minimum 40%. The final lump sum reduction percentage depends on the size of the jackpot and is determined by the underlying lottery for each draw. Winners may request their preferred option; however, the final payout plan chosen is at our sole discretion.

The advertised jackpot amount shows the value without any deductions or lump sum reductions. The max jackpot value shown is for indicative purposes only and uses the 38% tax deduction and an estimated 40% lump sum reduction value. The final jackpot value that will be paid out can only be determined once the draw has concluded and the final lump sum reduction percentage is known.

Other options

We don't currently support Just the Jackpot or Megaplier options.

General

All bets are subject to Lottomart's general Terms and Conditions. Please refer to them for complete details.