Mega Millions Rules and Odds

General rules

  1. First, a player needs to purchase a Mega Millions lottery ticket at $2.00.
  2. Then, a player may pick 6 separate numbers from 2 pools (White balls & Golden balls). Any 5 white balls from number 1- 70, and one gold mega ball from number 1 – 25.
  3. OR, a player may allow the lottery computer to randomly pick their lottery numbers by going for Quick Pick / Easy Pick.
  4. A jackpot is won when all 6 balls (5 white + 1 gold) are matched.

The Megaplier impact:

This feature costs an additional $1 and offers a player the option of multiplying their winnings by the number on a lucky ball drawn by the lottery machine. You can watch the Mega Millions Draw Live here.

The Megaplier ball is picked from a pool of 15 balls each marked with numbers.

  • 1 ball is marked with 5X;
  • 3 are marked with 4X;
  • 6 are marked with 3X;
  • 5 remaining balls are marked with 2X.

Megaplier option available if you play Mega Millions online on the Lottosmile website.

*This feature is only available to those with non-jackpot winnings.

Mega Millions Odds of winning the Jackpot

The jackpot consists of 5 white balls and 1 gold ball. The odds or chances‌ ‌of‌ ‌winning‌ ‌the big stake is 1 in 302,573,350. But, since they started; 193 jackpots have been won by 218 single tickets.

Mega‌ ‌Millions‌ ‌payment‌ ‌breakdown‌:

There are only 9 odds categories. Overall, a player has 1 in 24 odds at winning any Prize money and the least a player can win is $2 which comes when you match only the Mega ball. You can match all 6 balls down to 1 ball (must be the mega ball) and still win a prize.

*When no one wins the jackpot it is rolled over and added to the next draw.

What you can win in Mega‌ ‌Millions‌

 

Balls Matched Prize amount Probability
5 Main+ 1 Gold JACKPOT 1 in 302,575,350
5 Main Balls $1,000,000 1 in 12,607,306
4 Main + 1 Gold Ball $10,000 1 in 931,001
4 Main $500 1 in 38,792
3 Main Balls + 1 Gold $200 1 in 14,547
3 Main $10 1 in 606
2 Main Balls + 1 Gold $10 1 in 693
2 Main Balls $4 1 in 89
1 Gold Ball $2 1 in 37

 

Indicated in the table above is a complete breakdown of the Mega Millions Odds.

The first sector indicates the number of balls that can be matched with or without the Mega Ball (Gold ball). The second shows the prizes allocated to each setoff matched balls, and the third shows the probability of winning any of the odd levels.

*Remember, the Megaplier rule does not apply if you win the whole jackpot prize money.

Sean Woods
Latest posts by Sean Woods (see all)

    Useful Articles

    Khanapara Teer Results
    Most people have never heard of the infamous Assam Teer Lottery until today. After reading this article, you will have a basic understanding of what it is, how it works, and the Common Numbers you should know about. Without further ado, let’s get right to it. This is no ordinary Indian lotto game, that’s for […]
    Read More
    French Lotto
    Since it started in 1976, the French lotto has been making people millionaires. Today, the French Lotto is one of the most popular lottery games in France and across the world. Anyone can play, and if you win, the earnings can be exceptional. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about the French lottery. […]
    Read More
    Akshaya Lottery Results
    Lotteries are now spreading their wings all over the Indian nation. So, after Kerala lotteries, we’ve now brought the great Akshaya to share its facts and benefits with you. Akshaya is a weekly Kerala lottery.  Are you curious to know more about this? Read below to know more!     What is Akshaya Lottery? Akshaya […]
    Read More
    Biggest Lottery in the World
    It’s a big world, filled with lottery choices. Here, you’ll dive into the best payouts in history and the biggest lottery in the world. The world has a host of lotteries, all with special winning records and statistics. Deciding on the best and biggest lottery in the world can seem overwhelming if you don’t have […]
    Read More
    Sunlott Result
    The Sunlott lottery can be a lot of fun. In this lottery, there are 4 drawings per day and you have a chance to win the top prize of 27,000 INR. The drawings take place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m. & 7:25 p.m. To get the rules on how to play the Sunlott […]
    Read More
    Jeeto Lotto
    The more things change, the more they stay the same. You may think that the next best lottery game is unique and different. But chances are, the method of playing and the details are very similar to every other lotto game you have tried. The main idea behind Jeeto Lotto is “khelo aur jeeto jackpot”. […]
    Read More
    Jackpot
    $251 000 000
    Play Now
    Jackpot
    €164 500 000
    Play Now
    Jackpot
    $86 000 000
    Play Now
    Jackpot
    €85 000 000
    Play Now
    Jackpot
    €26 000 000
    Play Now
    Jackpot
    €2 300 000 000
    Play Now
    SeanWoods
    As an Honors Humanities graduate in University of Brighton I have excellent report writing and presentation skills. I transform my interest in lotteries to useful articles.