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How to play Mega Millions

By Mateo Ramírez · Reviewed

In one sentence

You pick 5 numbers from 1 to 70 and a Mega Ball from 1 to 24; match all six for the jackpot, with smaller prizes down to matching the Mega Ball alone.[1]

1The rules in six steps

  1. Pick 5 different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls).
  2. Pick 1 number from 1 to 24: the Mega Ball. It comes from a separate drum, so it can repeat one of your white numbers.
  3. Nothing to add: the multiplier is included in the US$5 price.
  4. Or ask for a Quick Pick and let the system choose for you.
  5. Wait for the draw: Tuesday and Friday, 11:00 pm Eastern Time (around 06:00 SAST the next morning).
  6. Check your ticket against the latest results: the 5 white balls in any order, and the Mega Ball separately.

2Price and options

Since 8 April 2025 a Mega Millions play costs US$5 and includes a random 2x–10x multiplier on every non-jackpot prize. The starting jackpot rose to US$50 million.[2]

3How to tell if you won

There are 9 ways to win. The full chart is on Mega Millions prizes; each draw's numbers are on the latest results page and in the history.

4How prizes are claimed

Small prizes are paid at retailers in the state where the ticket was bought; large ones are claimed at the state lottery office with the signed original ticket and ID. The jackpot is paid as a 30-year annuity or as a lump sum (around 45–50% of the advertised amount). A non-resident normally has 30% federal tax withheld.[3]

5Playing from abroad

Mega Millions is sold only in the US, but winners do not have to be residents. From South Africa you play through a ticket courier. How it works, costs and tax: playing US lotteries from South Africa.

6Frequently asked questions

How much does Mega Millions cost?

US$5 per play in the US, multiplier included. Courier services charge more because they include the purchase service.

Does the order of the numbers matter?

No. The 5 white balls count in any order. Only the Mega Ball is checked separately.

How long do I have to claim a prize?

It depends on the state where the ticket was bought: usually between 90 days and a year from the draw.

Can I play Mega Millions from South Africa?

Tickets must be bought in the US, but a foreigner can claim the prize. South Africans use a courier service that buys the ticket in their name. See playing from South Africa.

What if several people win the jackpot?

The jackpot is shared equally among all winning tickets.

Sources

  1. Mega Millions. "How to Play": rules, price and multiplier. megamillions.com
  2. South Dakota Lottery. "Mega Millions Update" (2025): new prize chart and odds. lottery.sd.gov
  3. IRS. Publication 515, "Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities": 30% withholding and treaty exemptions. irs.gov