Jump to content

Mega Millions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Overpush (talk | contribs) at 17:23, 31 January 2010 (→‎Current and future Mega Millions participating members). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

File:Mega Millions logo.png
Mega Millions logo

Mega Millions is a multi-jurisdictional $1 lottery game in the United States. Since May 2002, Mega Millions' advertised jackpots have started at US $12 million paid over 26 years, increasing when there is no jackpot winner.[1] Reflecting common practice among American lotteries, the jackpot is advertised as a nominal value of annual installments. A lump sum (cash value) option, when chosen by a jackpot winner (see below), pays the approximate present value of the installments. Mega Millions is drawn every Tuesday and Friday, including all holidays.

The Expansion of Mega Millions and its rival Powerball

On October 13, 2009, the Mega Millions consortium and Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) reached an agreement in principle to cross-sell Mega Millions and Powerball in U.S. lottery jurisdictions. On January 31, 2010, Mega Millions is now available in 35 jurisdictions and will likely add ten more jurisdictions in the Spring of 2010. Its rival Powerball is available in 43 jurisdictions including the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands since the expansion. Before January 31, 2010, Mega Millions had 12 jurisdictions and Powerball had 33 jurisdictions. As of January 31, 2010, 33 jurisdictions now plays both games. There are some differences in playing Mega Millions among its jurisdictions (details below).

History

The Big Game logo prior to the Mega Millions name change.

Tickets went on sale in Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan and Virginia on August 31, 1996, for the new lottery then known as The Big Game. Drawings were held weekly on Fridays until its first Tuesday drawing was added on February 10, 1998. Beginning in January 1999, jackpot winners had the choice to claim the prize in cash. In May 1999, New Jersey joined The Big Game, the only jurisdiction to do so before the change to Mega Millions. New York and Ohio joined The Big Game on May 15, 2002. This was when the game was changed to its second name, The Big Game Mega Millions, temporarily retaining the old name, and its "gold ball" logo. Also, the "Big Money Ball" changed its name to the "Mega Ball." After the game's name was altered, the yellow ball in the logo of the Mega Millions read "The Big Game." The first (The Big Game) Mega Millions drawing was held on May 17, 2002. Three more states later joined: Washington (September 2002), Texas (2003), and California (2005). 23 states joined Mega Millions on January 31, 2010.

On March 6, 2007, two winners split a record jackpot worth $233 million before taxes.[2] The advertised jackpot totaled $390 million,[3] representing a nominal sum of 26 annual installments before taxes and unadjusted for inflation or interest.

Playing the game

Since June 2005,[4] a player picks, or allows the Mega Millions computer to pick, five different numbers from 1 to 56 (white balls) and one number from 1 to 46 (the Mega Ball number, a gold-colored ball).[5] The Mega Ball number is drawn from a separate machine, so it can be a duplicate of one of the white ball numbers. Each play (a selection of six numbers for one draw) costs $1. In Georgia, New Jersey, New York, and Texas, players must also choose, in advance, whether they wish to collect a jackpot in lump sum or annuity. Georgia and New Jersey winners can change an annuity ticket to cash; however, the choice is binding in New York and Texas. Tickets may be obtained from either retail locations, or by mail in select states (currently, only Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Virginia offer subscriptions by mail).

Previous incarnations of The Big Game and Mega Millions have had different matrices:

Date Pick 5 out of Pick 1 out of
September 9, 1996 50 25
January 13, 1999 50 36
May 15, 2002 (became Big Game Mega Millions) 52 52
June 22, 2005 (current) 56 46

Megaplier (optional)

Mega Millions players in 24 of the 35 jurisdictions have the option to activate a multiplier; for $2, a selection of five white numbers and a Mega Ball can win a double, triple, or quadruple prize (up to $1 million cash) with the Megaplier. This is in contrast to the game-wide option in Powerball's PowerPlay. (Both games' multipliers do not apply to the jackpot.) Unlike the actual Mega Millions game, the Megaplier is drawn using a random number generator (RNG). The Megaplier drawing is conducted in Texas. The remaining 11 Mega Millions members continue without the option.

The Kicker (Ohio)

Mega Millions players in Ohio can play an add-on game, called The Kicker, for an extra $1 per ticket (rather than per game.) Six digits (0-9) are printed on every Ohio Mega Millions ticket below the Mega Millions numbers, whether or not The Kicker is played. A The Kicker ticket matching all six digits in exact order wins $100,000; there are smaller prizes also available. This option will continue to be available only in Ohio despite the January 31, 2010, expansion of Mega Millions to MUSL members. The Kicker has been an exclusive Ohio Lottery add-on game that began in 1988 to its former Super Lotto game. "The Kicker" has been an Ohio Lottery add-on game to Mega Millions since 2005.

Rules and taxes

Tickets can be purchased until 15 minutes prior to the drawing (usually 11:00 PM Eastern time), accounting for local time zone differences.

Laws and regulations vary slightly and are governed by the applicable laws in the jurisdiction where the ticket is sold, and the winner's home residence (e.g. if a New Jerseyan buys a winning ticket near their workplace in Manhattan.) Mega Millions winnings are generally exempt from state income tax in California; Texas and Washington have no state income tax. On the other hand, residents of New York City and Yonkers, New York pay city tax in addition to state and federal taxes.

Winning and odds

As of 2009, a player wins a prize according to the following chart:

Matches[6] Prize Approximate
probability
of winning
Normal balls
(pool of 56) 		Mega ball
(pool of 46)
5 1 Jackpot[7] 1 in 175,711,536[8]
5 0 $250,000 1 in 3,904,701[9]
4 1 $10,000 1 in 689,065[10]
4 0 $150 1 in 15,313[11]
3 1 $150 1 in 13,781[12]
3 0 $7 1 in 306[13]
2 1 $10 1 in 844[14]
1 1 $3 1 in 141[15]
0 1 $2 1 in 75[16]

In California, the amounts for all prizes are paid on a parimutuel basis, rather than the fixed lower-tier amounts for winners in the other 34 Mega Millions lotteries.

Currently, Mega Millions (1:~176 million) has better jackpot odds than Powerball (1:~195 million).

The Mega Ball number cannot cross over to be used for matching a white ball number, or vice versa.

To put these odds in perspective, in the US in 2008 there were 1.03 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.[17] A person living one mile from a retailer selling Mega Million Lottery tickets is 3.6 times as likely to die in an accident traveling to and from that store (2 miles) than winning the Mega Millions jackpot on a $1 play. Jackpot wining odds = 1 in 176 million; death odds = 2 miles * 1.03 deaths/100 million miles); 1 jackpot = 2 * 1.03 * 176 million / 100 million = 3.63 deaths.

Machines used

Like most games that use power or bonus balls, two machines are used. The model used is the Criterion II, manufactured by Smartplay International of Edgewater Park, New Jersey. The balls are moved around by means of counter-rotating arms which mix the balls in a random fashion. One by one, the winning numbers drop through a hole in the bottom of the mixing drum. To show the difference between which numbers are which, the balls in the first machine are white; the Mega Balls are gold.

The draw

Drawings are usually held at WSB-TV in Atlanta at 11:00 PM Eastern time on Tuesdays and Fridays. Formerly, the host was WSB's chief meteorologist, Glenn Burns. Now, most drawings are hosted by the new full-time host of the Georgia Lottery drawings, John Crow, with Courtney Cason subbing on occasion. For larger jackpots in excess of $200 million, the drawing is sometimes moved to Times Square in New York City, with New York Lottery announcer Yolanda Vega hosting the draw.

On June 24, 2005, to commemorate California joining Mega Millions, the drawing was held in Hollywood, with Carrie Underwood assisting Glenn Burns for the draw.

Record jackpots

Cash Value Advertised Date Winners Description
$223M $390M March 6, 2007 Two ticket holders (GA, NJ) World's largest jackpot
$180M $363M May 9, 2000 Two ticket holders (IL, MI) Largest The Big Game jackpot
$175M $315M November 15, 2005 Anaheim, CA Largest single winning MM ticket (7 claimants)

Current and future Mega Millions participating members

U.S. jurisdictions with Mega Millions before January 31, 2010
U.S. jurisdictions with Mega Millions, as of January 31, 2010; note:the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands also participate

On October 13, 2009, the Mega Millions consortium and Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) reached an agreement in principle to cross-sell Mega Millions and Powerball in U.S. lottery jurisdictions. On January 31, 2010, 33 of the 45 lotteries with either game listed below began offering both games. The remaining 12 will be expected to offer both games in the Spring of 2010. [18]

MM = The Big Game (now Mega Millions); PB = MUSL (Powerball began in 1992)

23 of the 33 MUSL members that play Powerball added Mega Millions on January 31, 2010. The remaining 10 of the MUSL members that play Powerball will likely add Mega Millions in the Spring of 2010

10 of the 12 Mega Millions members added Powerball on January 31, 2010. The remaining 2 of the 12 Mega Millions members also will likely add Powerball in the Spring of 2010.

The 12 original Mega Millions members (before January 31, 2010) have sold a jackpot-winning ticket; however, Massachusetts has yet to produce a winner since before The Big Game became Mega Millions. 23 of the 33 Powerball members joined Mega Millions on January 31, 2010.

California was the newest of the original 12 Mega Millions members before January 31, 2010. Mega Millions now has 35 members (23 new members) as of January 31, 2010. 23 of the 33 Powerball members have also joined Mega Millions on January 31, 2010.

The Georgia Lottery had offered Powerball but was removed from MUSL soon after The Big Game began. It planned to sell tickets for both games for the remainder of that year; however, within a few days, Georgia was forcibly removed from MUSL, and has not returned. In October 2009, a new agreement was reached between Mega Millions and MUSL, allowing all US lotteries, including Georgia's, to offer both games. Since January 31, 2010, Georgia plays both games.

New Jersey, as well as some other lotteries, in early 2009, announced it would seek permission to sell Powerball tickets alongside Mega Millions. In October 2009, an agreement between Mega Millions and MUSL allows all US lotteries, including New Jersey, to offer both games. 33 lotteries play both games since January 31, 2010.

Mega Millions players in 24 jurisdictions can add a multiplier, called Megaplier, which is similar to the PowerPlay option in Powerball; Megaplier began in Texas. The "Megaplier" has been available to the MUSL Powerball members that added Mega Millions.

All other U.S. lotteries, including the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands have committed to Powerball (in October 2009, an agreement was reached to allow all U.S. lotteries to sell Mega Millions and Powerball tickets.) The District of Columbia has added Mega Millions on January 31, 2010.

Currently, the minimum age to purchase a Mega Millions ticket is 18 regardless of jurisdiction. Generally (an exception is Virginia), minors can win on tickets received as gifts; the rules according to each Mega Millions member vary for minors receiving prizes. (Several MUSL members have higher minimum ages for purchasing tickets.)

The game-wide cash option for Mega Millions began after federal regulations signed by then-President Bill Clinton no longer required the cash/annuity choice to be made when playing (although some lotteries still require a choice to be made in advance.) An Illinois winner, in late 1998, was allowed to take the winnings in a lump sum, even though the cash option was not officially available in The Big Game until January 1999.

Mega Millions winners have either 180 days (California non-jackpot prizes only) or one year to claim prizes, including the jackpot (although some Mega Millions winners lose the right to collect a jackpot in cash if they wait more than 60 days after the drawing).

Unclaimed prizes

If a jackpot prize is not claimed within the required time limit, each of the participating Mega Millions members get back all the money they contributed to that jackpot. The 35 jurisdictions use unclaimed prizes for different purposes; an unclaimed Mega Millions jackpot prize is distributed mostly to education.[37][38]

In 2007, a $31 million prize went unclaimed in New York.[39] Secondary prizes of $250,000 are unclaimed in many states, including several in Michigan for 2007 drawings.[40]

Possible changes

With Florida joining Powerball on January 4, 2009, the Mega Millions group is considering major changes to its game. One proposal would keep the matrixes at 5/56 + 1/46; however, the ticket cost would become $2. The lower-tier prizes would be increased, and a $2 (break-even) prize would be introduced for a 2+0 match. Perhaps most notable is that second prize (5+0) would become either a $1 million cash prize, or, be annuitized in 20 annual payments, with a fixed (e.g. $588,000) cash option. Also, the advertised jackpot would start at $20 million, compared to the current $12 million.[citation needed]

In March 2009, it was reported that New Jersey, already a Mega Millions member, would seek permission to join Powerball. Shortly after New Jersey announced its desire to sell both games, discussions were revealed about possibly allowing each U.S. lottery to sell tickets for both Mega Millions and Powerball.[41] On October 13, 2009 the "Mega Millions consortium and Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) have reached an agreement in principle to cross-sell Mega Millions and Powerball in all U.S. lottery jurisdictions"[42] in which 33 jurisdiction lotteries plays both games since January 31, 2010.

Miscellany

The attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 resulted in the state of New York passing legislation that included joining a multi-state lottery game. Separately, Ohio also voted as such. Both states opted to join the then-Big Game (on May 15, 2002) and its seven members. The added populations of the two new states, in turn, led to a larger double matrix (actually, the first machine continued to hold 52 balls, while 16 gold balls were added in the second, meaning there were 52 numbers to pick from in each part of a $1 game.) At this time, the game was renamed Mega Millions.

In 2005, Mega Millions was the target of a mailing scam. A scam letter bearing the Mega Millions logo was used in a string of lottery scams designed to trick people into providing personal financial information by cashing bogus checks. The letter, which has been sent to people in several states via standard mail, includes a check for what the scammers say is an unclaimed "Mega Millions" prize. If the check was cashed, it bounced, but not before the bank stamped it with a routing number and personal account information, and sent it back to the fraudulent organization, providing them with the recipients' financial information.[43]

A budget impasse in New Jersey in June 2006 led to the temporary shutdown of less-important state agencies on July 1, 2006. Among the casualties were the Atlantic City casinos and the New Jersey Lottery. Not only were the in-state games (such as New Jersey Pick 6) not drawn for about a week, but all its lottery terminals were shut down, meaning Mega Millions could not be played in New Jersey, even though Mega Millions was drawn as usual.

Elecia Battle made national headlines in January 2004 when she claimed that she had lost the winning ticket in the Mega Millions lottery drawing of December 30, 2003.[44] She then filed a lawsuit against the woman who had come forward with the ticket, Rebecca Jemison. Several days later, when confronted with contradictory evidence, she admitted that she had lied.[45] She was charged with filing a false police report the following day. As a result of this false report, Battle was fined $1,000, ordered to perform 50 hours of community service, and required to compensate the police and courts for various costs incurred.[46]

Notes

  1. ^ FAQs, Mega Millions, Retrieved on 2009-01-12
  2. ^ Megamillions.com
  3. ^ Megamillions.com
  4. ^ Michigan Lottery Through the Years, State of Michigan, Retrieved on 2009-01-12
  5. ^ How To Play, Mega Millions, Retrieved on 2009-01-12
  6. ^ Matches are uniform in all Mega Millions states, except in California, where all prizes, including the jackpot, are pari-mutuel (payouts are based on sales and the number of winners.) All other Mega Millions states set the second through ninth prizes at pre-determined amounts, although in rare cases they can be reduced.
  7. ^ If more than one person wins the jackpot, the prize is equally divided among the winning tickets. Winners have one year to collect the jackpot; for other prizes, the deadline also is one year, except in California, where it is 180 days. Other than in New York and Texas (see above), a jackpot winner has 60 days from the drawing, or in some states, 60 days after claiming, to choose cash or annuity. Relative value of a prize paid in lump sum fluctuates, and is roughly 60% of the annuity amount. The minimum jackpot prize is $12 million, disbursed in 26 annual payments, or a cash payout of about $7 million.
  8. ^ Google.com
  9. ^ Google.com
  10. ^ Google.com
  11. ^ Google.com
  12. ^ Google.com
  13. ^ Google.com
  14. ^ Google.com
  15. ^ Google.com
  16. ^ Google.com
  17. ^ DOT.gov
  18. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100129/ap_on_bi_ge/us_national_lottery_2
  19. ^ DeLottery.com
  20. ^ http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Governments-expand-gambling-to-bring-in-revenue-8693206-80443597.html
  21. ^ IdahoLottery.com
  22. ^ HoosierLottery.com
  23. ^ IALottery.com
  24. ^ http://www.kslottery.com/News/January%202010/Mega%20Millions.htm
  25. ^ "Ky. lottery to sell Mega Millions tickets". Associated Press via Lexington Herald-Leader. 07 December 2009. Retrieved 08 December 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  26. ^ MNLottery.com
  27. ^ http://www.nelottery.com/article.xsp?aid=2032
  28. ^ NHLottery.com
  29. ^ http://www.nmlottery.com/news-single.aspx?PID=95
  30. ^ WCNC.com
  31. ^ Lottery.ok.gov
  32. ^ http://www.palottery.state.pa.us/news.aspx?id=135332
  33. ^ http://www.rilot.com/news.asp?Action=ViewNews&ID=348
  34. ^ http://www.sceducationlottery.com/winners/NewsDisplayArticle.asp?ID=1297
  35. ^ http://www.tnlottery.com/thegames/onlinegames/mega_highlights.aspx
  36. ^ http://www.wvlottery.com/mediacenter/news.aspx?ArticleID=439
  37. ^ Frequently Asked Questions
  38. ^ What Happens to Unclaimed Prizes?
  39. ^ Many major U.S. lottery prizes unclaimed - UPI.com
  40. ^ Michigan.gov , Lottery - Top Unclaimed Prizes
  41. ^ "Colorado Lottery Reviewing Partnership with Mega Millions", Colorado Lottery, 2009-03-17. Retrieved on 2009-03-24.
  42. ^ Megamillions.com
  43. ^ Mega Millions Logo Officials Warn of Lottery scams - ScamFraudAlert
  44. ^ "Women argue over 'lost' jackpot". BBC News. 2004-01-06. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
  45. ^ "Midwest: Ohio: Apology For Lottery Claim". The New York Times. 2004-01-09. Retrieved 2008-02-19. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  46. ^ "Midwest: Ohio: Lottery Tale Costs Her $6,596". The New York Times. 2004-04-07. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
Preceded by World's largest lottery jackpot
May 9, 2000–February 18, 2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by World's largest lottery jackpot
March 6, 2007–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mega_Millions&oldid=341113696"