Mega Millions®
Mega Millions® is an exciting big-jackpot game that has a starting jackpot of $50 million and then grows even larger from there. The jackpot keeps building each time a drawing is held but there are no jackpot (5+1) winning tickets. The longer the jackpot goes without being hit, the bigger it grows. There is no minimum jackpot increase for each roll. The estimated amount of the rolling jackpot is determined by game sales and interest rates and is published on mdlottery.com.
Drawings occur every Tuesday and Friday night at 11 p.m.
Mega Millions tickets cost $5 per play.
Mega Millions tickets come with a built-in randomly generated multiplier on every play.
Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Additional information available upon request at the Maryland Lottery and Gaming office.
Visit a Maryland Lottery Retailer
You must be 18 years old or older to buy or cash Mega Millions tickets.
Give a Maryland Lottery retailer your playslip or ePlayslip (created on the Lottery’s mobile app), or use a self-service terminal to select your own numbers, or use “Quick Pick.” Before you use your playslip, be sure to verify that the numbers selected are the numbers you want to play.
About Mega Millions Playslips:
- Playslips are available at any Maryland Lottery® retail location or create and use the ePlayslip available on the MD Lottery or My Lottery Rewards (MLR) mobile app.
- Each playslip has five play areas or panels labeled A, B, C, D and E. You can purchase up to five Mega Millions plays on each playslip. Each play costs $5.
- A play consists of two fields. Select and mark five (5) numbers from 1 through 70 in the upper field and mark one Mega Ball number from 1 through 24 in the lower field. If you select too many or too few numbers, your playslip will be rejected.
- Make a heavy vertical mark through each number you choose. Use only pencil or blue or black ink. Red ink will not be accepted. If you make a mistake, mark the “VOID” box for that play. Then use any remaining open play areas to complete your selections. Please do not attempt to erase errors.
- If you want the terminal to randomly “Quick Pick” your numbers, mark the “QP5” box for White Balls and/or the “QP1” box for the gold Mega Ball for each play you want to purchase.
- Each purchase comes with a built-in multiplier. The multiplier for each play you purchase will be printed on your ticket and will apply to all non-jackpot prizes won. The multiplier will be either 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X.
- If you are using the ePlayslip on the MD Lottery or MLR mobile app, follow the same instructions, but instead of handing your paper playslip to the retailer for processing, your ePlayslip will be scanned from your mobile phone.
- It is your responsibility to make sure your playslip represents the numbers you wish to play, the drawing(s) you want to enter, and all other information you want.
Drawings – Play More than One!
Mega Millions drawings are held twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday nights. You can play the same numbers for 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 or 15 drawings in a row, including the next drawing, by marking the appropriate “NUMBER OF DRAWS” box on a playslip or selecting the number of draws at the self-service terminal.
For advanced draws: When you are buying an advanced draw ticket, you’re playing the same exact ticket for multiple future draws – so all of the game data, including the multiplier(s) stay the same
Ticket Cost
Multiply the number of plays you are purchasing by the number of drawing dates you are purchasing. Then multiply the result by $5 to determine your Mega Millions ticket cost.
Mega Millions Tickets
MEGA MILLIONS TICKETS CANNOT BE CANCELLED OR VOIDED AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN PROCESSED. Tickets are only valid for the drawing date(s) shown on the ticket. On Tuesday and Friday nights, sales for that night’s Mega Millions drawing are cut off at 10:45 p.m. All tickets sold after the cut-off will be for the next drawing . Winning tickets must be cashed in the state/jurisdiction where they were purchased.
If you are a winner before the final draw on your ticket, you can still cash your ticket immediately. You will receive an exchange ticket for the remaining draw(s).
Multiplier
The built-in multiplier printed on your ticket is used to determine the amount you win on non-jackpot prizes won for that Mega Millions draw. The multipliers are 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X and 10X.
How it Works
The prize structure includes a “Base Prize” for each prize tier. If you win a $500 base prize and the multiplier printed for that play on your ticket is 5, you multiply your winnings by five for a total prize of $2,500. The multiplier does not apply to the jackpot prize.
How to Win
There are nine ways to win Mega Millions prizes, depending on how many of your numbers match the numbers drawn. The jackpot is pari-mutuel, so if there are multiple jackpot winning tickets each receives an equal share of the prize. All other Mega Millions prizes, ranging from $10 to $10 million are set, but may become pari-mutuel in certain circumstances (See * under Prize Structure). You may only win one prize category per play, the highest prize won on that play.
Please see “How to Claim a Prize” in the [MORE] section of the app for full details.
Prize amounts of $600 or less in red can be cashed at any Maryland Lottery retailer.
|
Match # of White Balls |
MegaBall | Approx. Prob. of Winning per $5 ticket |
Base Prize* |
Prize* with 2X Multiplier |
Prize* with 3X Multiplier |
Prize* with 4x Multiplier |
Prize* with 5x Multiplier |
Prize* with 10x Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Yes | 1 in 290,472,336 |
Starting Jackpot $50 Million** |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 5 | No | 1 in 12,629,232 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $3,000,000 | $4,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $10,000,000 |
| 4 | Yes | 1 in 893,761 | $10,000 | $20,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| 4 | No | 1 in 38,859 | $500 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| 3 | Yes | 1 in 13,965 | $200 | $400 | $600 | $800 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| 3 | No | 1 in 607 | $10 | $20 | $30 | $40 | $50 | $100 |
| 2 | Yes | 1 in 665 | $10 | $20 | $30 | $40 | $50 | $100 |
| 1 | Yes | 1 in 86 | $7 | $14 | $21 | $28 | $35 | $70 |
| – | Yes | 1 in 35 | $5 | $10 | $15 | $20 | $25 | $50 |
The approximate overall probability of winning Mega Millions® is 1 in 23.07.
The approximate probability of having a 2x multiplier is 1 in 2.13.
The approximate probability of having a 3x multiplier is 1 in 3.2.
The approximate probability of having a 4x multiplier is 1 in 8.
The approximate probability of having a 5x multiplier is 1 in 16.
The approximate probability of having a 10x multiplier is 1 in 32.
*In some cases, fixed prizes may be paid on a pari-mutuel basis and will be lower than these published prize levels. The Jackpot Prize will be the only Prize determined on a Pari-Mutuel basis. Unless the provisions of the liability cap are applicable, the Jackpot Prize Level will be determined by dividing the Jackpot Prize pool for the Drawing by the number of Winning Plays produced as a result of the Drawing.
**The Lottery will announce the estimated Jackpot annuity prize value and the estimated cash prize value for every Mega Millions Drawing. The Jackpot prize will be divided equally among all Jackpot prize winning plays. When a prize is claimed, Jackpot winners will have the option to receive your Jackpot in a single (“cash”) payment or in annuity payments. A Jackpot prize will be paid as an annuity of 30 graduated payments over 29 consecutive years unless the winner selects the cash payment method within 60 days of the Ticket validation date, even though you have 182 days after the drawing date to claim your prize. The cash payment amount will be lower than the announced estimated Jackpot annuity prize. Variations in the announced Jackpot prize amounts may occur.
When there is no Jackpot winner, all of the Jackpot prize money is rolled over and added to the Jackpot for the next Mega Millions drawing. Following a drawing with a Jackpot winner, the annuitized Jackpot will start at $50 million.
Consumer Brochure/Consumer Game Information
Game rules are stated throughout this consumer game information on this website. In addition, the following Additional Rules also govern the Mega Millions game. Mega Millions tickets (“Tickets”; singular, “Ticket”) are bearer instruments. For your protection, sign the back of your Ticket. A playslip is neither a valid receipt, nor proof of purchase. Your game Ticket, not your playslip, is the only valid proof of the selection made and the only valid proof for claiming a prize.
MEGA MILLIONS TICKETS CANNOT BE CANCELLED OR VOIDED AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN PROCESSED. You have the sole responsibility for checking the accuracy of the data printed on your Ticket(s), including the numbers you selected and the drawing(s) you want to enter. Your Ticket will be valid for the drawing dates printed on your Ticket. The Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (“Lottery” or “Maryland Lottery”) is responsible only for the numbers actually played via the Lottery terminal and printed on the Ticket. Neither the Lottery nor Lottery retailers will be responsible for printing errors. The only official winning numbers are the numbers actually drawn.
By purchasing a Mega Millions Ticket, the player agrees that all aspects of the Mega Millions game, playslip, Ticket, claiming, prizes, payment, subscription, and any subscription renewals are governed by and subject to all of the following as amended from time to time: all Maryland Lottery statutes, laws, regulations, policies, and rules, including Ticket or subscription validation requirements, other applicable laws and rules, all rules in this consumer game information, on the Mega Millions Subscription Application, on the Mega Millions playslip, and/or on the Mega Millions pages at mdlottery.com (rules on the Mega Millions pages at mdlottery.com are also referred to as “Rules”), and all Mega Millions and MUSL Mega Millions rules, procedures, and other documents. In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Rules on this website and any other terms, the terms of the Rules on this website shall prevail.
The Lottery is not responsible for lost, stolen, or destroyed Tickets, Tickets redeemed by a Lottery retailer in error, or for winning numbers repeated or displayed in error. All winning Tickets are subject to validation by the Lottery in accordance with Lottery rules and regulations. Tickets irregular in any manner or failing to meet validation tests or other requirements are void.
Prizes are not assignable or transferable except as provided by law. All winnings are subject to state, local, and federal taxation. For certain prize amounts State Obligations, including but not limited to overdue child support and/or certain other obligations to a State agency or other governmental entity, will be withheld from the prize(s). Player agrees that claim(s), if any, arising out of any Mega Millions Ticket or subscription can only be pursued against and litigated in the State where the Ticket was bought and issued, pursuant to the current rules and procedures of that State, and this is the player’s sole and exclusive remedy. Lottery’s liability for void or nonconforming Ticket(s), if any, is limited to replacement of the Ticket(s).
You must be 18 years old or older to buy or cash Tickets. Prizes must be claimed within 182 days after the drawing date. Mega Millions and MUSL Mega Millions rules and other documents are available upon request at Lottery headquarters and are subject to change from time to time. (Player(s) and winner(s) are sometimes referred to as “you” and “your”.) This consumer game information is subject to change.
Additional Rules For Mega Millions Subscriptions
Game Rules governing subscriptions for Mega Millions are stated throughout this consumer game information on this website. In addition, the following Additional Rules govern subscriptions for the Mega Millions game.
By purchasing a Mega Millions subscription, the player agrees that all aspects of the Mega Millions game, claiming, prizes, payment, subscription, and any renewals of a subscription are governed by and subject to all of the following as amended from time to time: all Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (“Lottery” or “Maryland Lottery”) statutes, laws, regulations, policies, and rules, including ticket or subscription validation requirements, other applicable laws and rules, rules on the subscription application, rules on the Mega Millions playslip, rules on the Mega Millions pages at mdlottery.com (rules on the Mega Millions pages at mdlottery.com are also referred to as “Rules”), and all Mega Millions and MUSL Mega Millions rules, procedures, and other documents; all, including the Rules, are subject to change. These full and updated Rules shall prevail; Rules and other documents are also available upon request at Lottery headquarters. For additional information, please call the Maryland Lottery’s Customer Resource Center at 410-230-8730.
The subscription order form is neither a valid receipt, nor proof of purchase. It is your responsibility to make sure that your subscription order reflects the numbers, and number of drawings, you want to play and to send written notice to the Lottery if your address changes. Mega Millions subscriptions cannot be cancelled. The Lottery is responsible only for the numbers that you selected, as reflected on your subscription order. The Lottery is not responsible for printing errors. Your subscription will be valid only for the drawing dates that are indicated in your My Lottery Rewards account after your subscription has been activated. The Maryland Lottery is not responsible or liable for any lost, stolen, or destroyed subscription orders, claims, prizes or for winning numbers repeated or displayed in error. Prizes are not assignable or transferable except as provided by law. All winnings are subject to state, local and federal taxation. Player agrees that any claim arising out of a Mega Millions subscription can only be pursued against and litigated in the State where the subscription was purchased and issued, pursuant to the current rules and procedures of that state, and this is the player’s sole and exclusive remedy. Subscriptions may not be sold to minors under the age of 18. (Player(s) and winner(s) are sometimes referred to as “you” and “your”.)
Liability Cap
Should total prize liability for all Party Lotteries, except California which is prohibited from paying fixed prizes, exceed three hundred percent (300%) of sales for all Party Lotteries, except California, for the Drawing OR fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) plus fifty percent (50%) of sales for all Party Lotteries, except California, for that Drawing (whichever is lower) (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Liability Cap”), prize amounts in Prize Levels 2 through 9 may become pari-mutuel. However, in no event shall the Pari-Mutuel Prize be greater than the stated fixed Prize for that level. The amount to be used for the allocation of such Pari-Mutuel Prizes(hereinafter referred to as the Pari-Mutuel Prize Pool) shall be the Liability Cap less the amount paid for the Jackpot Prize and any excluded fixed Prize Levels, typically prize levels two (2) through nine (9). The Pari-Mutuel Prize Pool shall be allocated to Prize Levels two (2) through three (3) on a Pari-Mutuel basis in accordance with the formula in the Mega Millions® Finance and Operations Procedures. In addition, fixed Prize Levels may be adjusted based on the provisions included in the Mega Millions® multi-state official game rules and associated agreements. For purposes of Prize calculation with respect to any Pari-Mutuel Prize other than the Jackpot Prize, the calculation shall be rounded down so that Prizes will be paid in multiples of one dollar ($1.00).
