Mega Millions is one of the two big multi-state lottery games in the United States, along with Powerball. Mega Millions is available for play in most U.S. states, with players trying to match 5 numbers from 1-70 plus 1 Mega Ball number from 1-25 to win jackpots starting at $40 million and rolling over until someone wins. With giant jackpots sometimes reaching over $1 billion, Mega Millions captures the attention of lottery players across the country. But is it available in every single state? Let’s take a deep dive and find out.
Background on Mega Millions
Mega Millions has an interesting origin story. The game began in 1996 as The Big Game, launched by six state lotteries as an alternative to Powerball. The Big Game initially launched in Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Virginia. Other states gradually joined over the next several years until the cross-selling agreement with the Powerball states ended in 2010.
At that point, The Big Game became Mega Millions and opened up to more U.S. lotteries. Mega Millions held its first drawing under the new name in 2002. Over the next eight years, more and more states joined Mega Millions as their exclusive multi-state jackpot game.
By 2010, Mega Millions had reached 36 participating states. That’s when cross-selling ended with Powerball states, allowing Mega Millions to expand even further across the country.
Today, 47 local U.S. lotteries offer Mega Millions. In the last 20 years, the game has awarded over $75 billion in prizes to lucky winners across the country. Some record jackpots have included:
- $1.537 billion won in South Carolina in 2018
- $1.050 billion won in Michigan in 2021
- $656 million won in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland in 2012
With giant jackpots and strong local participation, Mega Millions has become a hugely popular lottery game from coast to coast. Next, let’s look at exactly where you can and can’t play.
States Participating in Mega Millions
In 2023, Mega Millions is available in 45 U.S. states plus Washington D.C. and the U.S Virgin Islands. The only states that don’t participate are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.
Here is the full list of jurisdictions currently selling Mega Millions tickets:
| Participating States |
|---|
| Arizona |
| Arkansas |
| California |
| Colorado |
| Connecticut |
| Delaware |
| Florida |
| Georgia |
| Idaho |
| Illinois |
| Indiana |
| Iowa |
| Kansas |
| Kentucky |
| Louisiana |
| Maine |
| Maryland |
| Massachusetts |
| Michigan |
| Minnesota |
| Mississippi |
| Missouri |
| Montana |
| Nebraska |
| New Hampshire |
| New Jersey |
| New Mexico |
| New York |
| North Carolina |
| North Dakota |
| Ohio |
| Oklahoma |
| Oregon |
| Pennsylvania |
| Rhode Island |
| South Carolina |
| South Dakota |
| Tennessee |
| Texas |
| Vermont |
| Virginia |
| Washington |
| Washington D.C. |
| West Virginia |
| Wisconsin |
| Wyoming |
| U.S. Virgin Islands |
As you can see, the vast majority of states offer Mega Millions. The lone holdouts without Mega Millions are all fairly low population states, except Nevada. Let’s take a closer look at why these 5 states don’t participate.
Why These 5 States Don’t Have Mega Millions
Alabama
Alabama is one of 5 states without a lottery. Conservative groups oppose a state lottery there, so Mega Millions isn’t an option for Alabama residents. Alabamans would need to cross state lines into Florida, Georgia, Mississippi or Tennessee to purchase Mega Millions tickets.
Alaska
Alaska also doesn’t have a state lottery. There have been debates about starting one to boost state revenue, but no bills establishing a lottery system have passed so far. Alaskans can play Mega Millions by traveling to retailers in Oregon, Washington or British Columbia.
Hawaii
Hawaii prohibits all forms of gambling except for non-profit fundraisers. With no state lottery, residents have no access to Mega Millions without traveling to California or farther afield. There is periodic debate about legalizing a lottery to increase education funding but nothing has changed Hawaii’s anti-gambling stance so far.
Nevada
As the gambling and casino capital of the U.S., the reasoning gets more interesting in Nevada. Nevada actually revived its state lottery in 1989, joining up with the Big Game in 1999. But in 2000, the Nevada attorney general ruled that the state’s lottery statute was unconstitutional. This ended Nevada’s participation until the law could be rewritten. However, competing gambling interests have successfully blocked all legislation to revive the lottery ever since. Nevadans have to cross state lines to play Mega Millions where it is available in Arizona, California and other neighboring states.
Utah
Utah is similar to Hawaii in banning all forms of gambling. The heavily Mormon population and conservative political culture there has prevented any lottery bills from advancing very far. Utah residents have to drive to surrounding states like Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming to purchase Mega Millions tickets.
So in summary, the two states with religious concerns about gambling don’t participate in Mega Millions. The two states with no lotteries can’t offer it. And Nevada’s unusual gambling environment led to the game being prohibited there because of conflicts with other gambling interests. But nearly every other state participates.
Can You Play Mega Millions from a Non-Participating State?
What if you live in Alabama but want a chance to win the Mega Millions jackpot? Or you’re visiting Utah from out of state and want to buy some tickets? Can you play Mega Millions if you’re located in a non-participating state but meet one of the following conditions:
- You’re a resident of a participating Mega Millions state
- You’re just passing through a non-participating state temporarily
The short answer is yes. The lottery is more concerned about where you bought the ticket rather than where you currently live or are located. Residents of states like Alabama and Utah without an in-state lottery frequently cross state borders to purchase Mega Millions tickets. And tourists or business travelers can continue playing their home state’s Mega Millions while visiting non-participating states.
However, there are some additional regulations to keep in mind:
- You can only redeem winning Mega Millions tickets in the state where purchased
- If you win a jackpot, you must have the ticket validated in the state of purchase before claiming the prize
- Mega Millions tickets expire 180 days after the draw date – don’t purchase too far in advance
- You must be 18 or older to play in most states
As long as you follow state laws where you buy the ticket, residents and visitors can play Mega Millions from non-participating states without issue. State lotteries just want their share of revenue from ticket sales and jackpot wins.
Can You Play Mega Millions Online?
Playing the lottery online adds another layer of complexity. Currently, only a few states allow online sales of Mega Millions and other lottery games:
- Illinois
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
Residents of these states can download approved lottery apps to purchase Mega Millions tickets online. However, you must be physically located within the state at the time of purchase. The app uses geolocation to confirm you are within state lines when playing.
For all other states, buying Mega Millions tickets online is prohibited. State lotteries are moving cautiously with online sales to ensure proper identity verification, geo-restrictions, and player safeguards. But lack of online access makes little practical difference for Mega Millions. Visiting an in-person retailer is still required for the vast majority of players across the U.S.
Can You Use Lottery Messenger Services?
Some third-party concierge services let you hire an agent to purchase lottery tickets on your behalf. You pay for the tickets plus a service fee. These lottery messenger services operate in a few states like California and Texas.
However, lottery officials discourage using these services for a few reasons:
- Higher risk of scams or fraud
- No guarantees your tickets will be purchased
- Limits options to claim winnings
- May be prohibited outright in some states
It’s safer and more reliable to buy Mega Millions yourself either in person or using a state lottery app where available. Otherwise, you take on additional risks relying on a middleman messenger service. Make sure you research your state’s rules before pursuing this option.
Key Takeaways on Mega Millions Participation
To summarize the key points:
- 45 states + Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands offer Mega Millions
- The 5 holdouts are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah
- Residents of non-participating states can purchase tickets across state lines
- Visitors to non-participating states can bring tickets from home
- Online play is limited to 9 states currently
- Lottery messenger services are risky alternatives
While Mega Millions isn’t offered coast to coast, the vast majority of Americans can play either in their home state or by taking a short trip. Alabamans drive to Florida or Tennessee. Nevadans cross to California. And so on. Only Hawaii and Alaska have no convenient options for playing due to their geographic isolation.
But overall, Mega Millions has strong availability across most of the country. The next giant jackpot could come from any participating state, whether it has been playing Mega Millions from the start or joined more recently. All players have an equal random chance of winning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about playing Mega Millions across state lines:
Can I buy a Mega Millions ticket in one state and redeem it in another?
No. Mega Millions tickets can only be redeemed in the state of purchase. If you win a jackpot, the ticket must be validated where it was purchased before making a claim.
What if I live in Alabama but buy a ticket in Florida – do I pay Alabama or Florida taxes?
You would pay Florida taxes since that is where you purchased the ticket. Winnings are taxed based on the state of the lottery, not your residency.
Can I use a lottery ticket courier service to play Mega Millions from my state?
It depends. A few states allow lottery courier services but most prohibit it. These services also carry additional risks. Do your research before pursuing this option.
Can I play Mega Millions on vacation when visiting a non-participating state?
Yes. Players can take lottery tickets for games like Mega Millions with them to non-participating states while traveling. Tickets are valid for 180 days.
Is there any talk of the holdout states joining Mega Millions soon?
There is periodic legislation proposed in some states but major changes seem unlikely in the short term. Alabama and Utah are firmly opposed to lotteries. Nevada’s situation is complicated. Alaska and Hawaii simply lack urgency being isolated geographically.
Conclusion
In summary, Mega Millions is available in most of the country either directly or through bordering states. Residents from non-participating states can also play Mega Millions from their home state if purchased legally. While not allowed universally coast to coast, the game has strong availability nationwide for those wanting a chance at the giant jackpots. The Mega Millions map continues to grow over time, but for now most players have straightforward options for getting in the game.
