Mega Millions
Mega Millions is an American multi-state lottery that is offered in a total of 44 states in the USA as well as in the capital Washington (District of Columbia) and the American Virgin Islands. The draws always take place on Tuesdays and Fridays. The minimum amount of the jackpot is 40 million US dollars . A tip costs $ 2. If the jackpot is hit, it has been paid out to the winner in 30 equal annual installments since October 2013 (annuity option). If the winner chooses the immediate payment of the entire winnings, a discounted amount will be paid out (cash option).
In the United States, US residents are charged 25% federal capital gains tax on lottery winnings over $ 5,000. For foreigners, the capital gains tax is 30%. In addition, the withholding tax rate of the respective state (state tax) has to be paid. The tax rate ranges between 5% and 8%. These taxes, i.e. 30% and more, must be paid by the winner after the winnings have been paid out.
For the drawing on March 30, 2012, after 18 draws in a row without a main prize, a jackpot of 656 million dollars had accumulated ( annuated for 26 years in installments, with immediate full payout 474 million; each before taxes), the highest in one worldwide to date Lottery amount ever reached. It was cracked by three players.
Mega Millions rule changes from October 2013
The last drawing with the old rules took place on October 18, 2013. Starting on October 22, 2013, the rules at Mega Millions have changed. That means in detail that the lottery number pool has increased. The tip itself still consists of 6 numbers: You have to bet on 5 numbers and the Mega Ball. The number from which the numbers have to be chosen has changed. Numbers between 1 and 70 can now be selected and the megaball can be set between 1 and 25. The last Mega Millions rule change took place in June 2005.
| Previous rules | Current rules | |
|---|---|---|
| Draw system | 5 out of 56 + 1 out of 46 | 5 out of 70 + 1 out of 25 |
| Starting jackpots | $ 12,000,000 | $ 15,000,000 |
| Jackpot increase per drawing | variable | min. $ 5 million |
| 2nd rank win | $ 250,000 | $ 1,000,000 |
| Chance of winning | 1:40 | 1:15 |
| Jackpot chance of winning | 1: 175.711.536 | 1: 302.575.350 |
| Megaplier option | 4 × | 5 × |
| Annuities | 26th | 30th |
The changes in the drawing process have an impact on the distribution of winnings. What is new is that jackpots start immediately from $ 15 million instead of the previous $ 12 million. It was also determined that the jackpots would increase by a further $ 5 million per drawing if the jackpot was not hit in the previous drawing. Another change concerns the second prize tier. There the profit was increased from $ 250,000 to $ 1 million. The additional functions have also been adapted. The Megaplier now offers the chance to quintuple all prizes from the second prize category upwards. Overall, the changes have resulted in the overall chance of winning at Mega Millions improving to 1 in 14.71. However, the chances of hitting the jackpot have decreased. Before the rule changes, the chance was 1 to 175 711 536, now the probability is 1 in 302,575,350. The payment of winnings has also been adjusted. The installment payment of 26 constant annual installments has been increased to 30 staggered annual installments.
Wins and probabilities
The number combination and current chances of winning for the individual prize classes at Mega Millions are listed in the table.
| Winning combination | Profit | probability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 5 + 1 | jackpot | 1: 258.890.850 |
| 2. | 5 + 0 | $ 1,000,000 | 1: 18.492.204 |
| 3. | 4 + 1 | $ 5,000 | 1: 739.688 |
| 4th | 4 + 0 | $ 500 | 1: 52.835 |
| 5. | 3 + 1 | $ 50 | 1: 10.720 |
| 6th | 3 + 0 | $ 5 | 1: 766 |
| 7th | 2 + 1 | $ 5 | 1: 473 |
| 8th. | 1 + 0 | $ 2 | 1:56 |
| 9. | 0 + 1 | $ 1 | 1:21 |
Due to the changes in the drawing system at Mega Millions, the probabilities in the various prize categories have changed.
Megaplier
The Megaplier feature gives lottery players the opportunity to multiply all prizes outside of the jackpot with this feature. The profits can be doubled to quintupled. Most lotteries offer this option for $ 1. The table shows to what extent the profits increase through the respective Megaplier.
| Winning combination | Win at Megaplier 2 | Win at Megaplier 3 | Win at Megaplier 4 | Win at Megaplier 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 5 + 0 | $ 2,000,000 | $ 3,000,000 | $ 4,000,000 | $ 5,000,000 |
| 2. | 4 + 1 | $ 10,000 | $ 15,000 | $ 20,000 | $ 25,000 |
| 3. | 4 + 0 | $ 1,000 | $ 1,500 | $ 2,000 | $ 2,500 |
| 4th | 3 + 1 | $ 100 | $ 150 | $ 200 | $ 250 |
| 5. | 3 + 0 | $ 10 | $ 15 | $ 20 | $ 25 |
| 6th | 2 + 1 | $ 10 | $ 15 | $ 20 | $ 25 |
| 7th | 1 + 1 | $ 4 | $ 6 | $ 8 | $ 10 |
| 8th. | 0 + 1 | $ 2 | $ 3 | $ 4 | $ 5 |
Since the rule changes at Mega Millions, it is now also possible to win millions from the second prize category. In theory, the Megaplier option can even win $ 5 million in the second tier, as shown in the table.
Web links
- MegaMillions.com , official website (English)
- Mega Millions in the USA , game rules, information about the operator, odds of winning etc.
Individual evidence
- ↑ 656 million dollars: First jackpot winner reports , Spiegel Online , April 6, 2012
- ↑ Mega Millions Starting Jackpots To Increase Come October , CBS Philly, October 22, 2013
- ^ Rule changes at Mega Millions , Lottoland Magazin, October 22, 2013
- ↑ What If You Win The Jackpot? , Megamillions, October 22, 2013
- ↑ How To Play? , Megamillions, October 22, 2013