A Guide to Playing Mega Millions!
Mega Millions, one of the world’s most renowned draw games, offers players the chance to win a life-changing jackpot prize, with drawings held every Tuesday and Friday. The excitement builds as the jackpot grows, with no cap on how high it can climb. Whether the jackpot is claimed by a single individual or multiple winners, the thrill of the game keeps players coming back for more.
Mega Millions draws take place every Tuesday and Friday at 11.00 pm EST and tickets cost $2.00 per play. Add the Megaplier for an additional $1 and you could increase any non-jackpot prize by 2, 3, 4 or 5 times!
Table of Contents
How to Play Mega Millions
The Mega Millions rules are easy to follow. To play, you simply need to:
- Select 5 numbers from a guess range of 1-70.
- Choose an additional Mega Ball number from a smaller range of 1-25.
- You can also choose to add the Megaplier option at this stage.
- Confirm the number of lines you wish to play, and confirm your order.
The Megaplier number is drawn before each Mega Millions draw, enhancing the gameplay and potential prize amounts.
When you order your tickets online at TheLotter US, you can select your numbers using a few different methods:
- Manually choosing your own numbers on your playslip
- Using the Quick Pick/Auto Pick option
- By selecting the saved lucky numbers in your account
Once you have your pick, make sure to get your orders completed before the cut-off time for the draw; Tuesdays and Fridays at 11.00 pm EST.
The Mega Ball Number
The Mega Ball number is a crucial element of the Mega Millions game. This sixth number, ranging from 1 to 25, is drawn separately and plays a key role in determining the jackpot winner. To hit the jackpot, you must match all five main numbers plus the Mega Ball number. The Mega Ball number is randomly selected just like the other balls, albeit from a separate set.
Yes! Matching only the Mega Ball wins you a prize. And if you’ve added the Megaplier, your winnings could be multiplied by up to 5X, increasing your payout!
What Does The Megaplier Do?
The Mega Millions Megaplier, when applied, would increase non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4 or 5 times, for an additional $1 per play. The Megaplier number is drawn prior to Mega Millions drawings on Tuesday and Friday nights from a pool of 15 balls. Of the 15 balls, five are marked with 2X, six with 3X, three with 4X and one with 5X.
The Megaplier number selected for the draw defines the size of the non-jackpot prizes, as can be seen in the following table:
| Match | No Megaplier | Megaplier 2 | Megaplier 3 | Megaplier 4 | Megaplier 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 + MB* | Jackpot | Jackpot | Jackpot | Jackpot | Jackpot |
| 5 | US$1 million | US$2 million | US$3 million | US$4 million | US$5 million |
| 4 + MB | US$10,000 | US$20,000 | US$30,000 | US$40,000 | US$50,000 |
| 4 | US$500 | US$1,000 | US$1,500 | US$2,000 | US$2,500 |
| 3 + MB | US$200 | US$400 | US$600 | US$800 | US$1,000 |
| 3 | US$10 | US$20 | US$30 | US$40 | US$50 |
| 2 + MB | US$10 | US$20 | US$30 | US$40 | US$50 |
| 1 + MB | US$4 | US$8 | US$12 | US$16 | US$20 |
| 0 + MB | US$2 | US$4 | US$6 | US$8 | US$10 |
Under the new format, coming April 2025, the Megaplier is built-in to the price of the ticket, and is now referred to as the ‘multiplier’. The Mega Millions multiplier can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times.
Mega Millions Payouts and Odds
To win the jackpot, you will need to match all five main Mega Millions numbers, as well as the Mega Ball number. This is certainly no easy feat, with overall odds of 1:302,575,350. That being said, there are several ways to win a prize, including many exciting secondary prizes!
See a full prize breakdown just below:
| Tier | Match | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 + Mega Ball | Jackpot | 1:302,575,350 |
| 2 | 5 | US$1,000,000 | 1:12,607,306 |
| 3 | 4 + Mega Ball | US$10,000 | 1:931,001 |
| 4 | 4 | US$500 | 1:38,792 |
| 5 | 3 + Mega Ball | US$200 | 1:14,547 |
| 6 | 3 | US$10 | 1:606 |
| 7 | 2 + Mega Ball | US$10 | 1:693 |
| 8 | 1 + Mega Ball | US$4 | 1:89 |
| 9 | 0 + Mega Ball | US$2 | 1:3 |
Mega Millions Changes – April 2025
Mega Millions is undergoing a ‘revamp’ in it’s game format starting April 2025. Significant changes are occurring, including:
- Improved jackpot odds
- Automatic Megaplier inclusion (Multiplier)
- No more breakeven prizes
- Better overall odds on secondary prizes
- Bigger starting jackpots
- Change in ticket price
- Faster growing jackpots
Check out the full details of all the Mega Millions 2025 changes.
Can You Buy Mega Millions Tickets Online?
You can’t buy Mega Millions tickets directly online, but you can order tickets through TheLotter US, a lottery courier service!
TheLotter US fulfills ticket orders placed through their online platform via agents at licensed lottery retailers. Your tickets are then uploaded to your private account, where they can be seen prior to the draw!
Here’s how to place an order:
- Create an account at TheLotter US.
- Choose your favorite lottery game.
- Fill out your playslip online, marking out the numbers just as if you were doing so in person.
- You can select your numbers manually, use the Quick Pick/Auto Pick option, or select the saved lucky numbers in your account.
- Click ORDER.
- Select a payment method and confirm your order.
- Once that’s done, you’re in the draw! You will receive a confirmation email upon completion of your order.
Checking Your Numbers
After each Mega Millions drawing, you must check your numbers and see if you’re a winner. You can easily see the latest winning numbers on TheLotter US website, or through the mobile app. It’s important to check your numbers carefully, as winning tickets must be claimed within one year of the drawing date. Don’t worry if you forget to check, as TheLotter US will notify you any time you win a prize!
Past Mega Millions Draws
To check the results of past Mega Millions draws, simply:
- Visit TheLotter US website and choose the Mega Millions results page.
- Find the correct draw date, and check your Mega Millions numbers against the drawn numbers.
Keeping track of past winning numbers is a great way to stay informed and strategize for upcoming Mega Millions draws. Whether you’re checking to see if you’ve won or planning your next set of numbers, TheLotter US’ website and mobile app make it easy to stay up-to-date.
Game Rules and Regulations
Here are some important game rules and regulations to keep in mind when playing Mega Millions:
- Mega Millions drawings are held twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. EST.
- Winning tickets must be claimed within one year of the drawing date.
- The jackpot prize is divided equally among all winners if there is more than one.
- Fixed prizes are awarded for matching certain numbers, with odds ranging from 1 in 37 to 1 in 302,575,350.
By keeping these rules in mind, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable Mega Millions experience.
