Checking to see if you have won a prize in the Mega Millions lottery is an exciting prospect! With jackpots that can climb into the hundreds of millions of dollars, it’s no wonder Mega Millions players eagerly await the bi-weekly drawings to find out if their numbers have come up. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to check if you have won anything from a free ticket up to the enormous grand prize.
Check Your Ticket
The first step is obviously to check the numbers on your ticket. Mega Millions tickets cost $2 per play and each ticket contains one set of numbers you chose or that were randomly generated. A Mega Millions play slip has spaces for 5 white ball numbers between 1-70 and 1 Mega Ball number between 1-25. When you purchase a Quick Pick, the lottery terminal will randomly select 5 white balls and the Mega Ball for you. Since the Mega Ball number is gold in color on your ticket, it’s easy to distinguish from the white balls.
To win the jackpot, you’ll need to match all 5 white balls plus the Mega Ball. The odds of this are about 1 in 302 million! Even if you don’t hit the jackpot, matching some or all of the numbers can still win you other prize amounts. Here is a quick rundown of the ways to win:
- Match 5 white balls only – $1 million
- Match 4 white balls + Mega Ball – $10,000
- Match 4 white balls only – $500
- Match 3 white balls + Mega Ball – $200
- Match 3 white balls only- $10
- Match 2 white balls + Mega Ball – $10
- Match 1 white ball + Mega Ball – $4
- Match Mega Ball only – $2
So carefully compare the numbers on your ticket to the winning number draw. If they match in any of the combinations above, you’re a winner!
Check Online
In addition to checking your physical ticket, you can also check for Mega Millions prizes online. Most state lottery websites will have a section where you can check if your ticket is a winner by entering the numbers. For example, if you played in New York you would go to nylottery.ny.gov, click on “Check Your Numbers” at the top, select Mega Millions, enter your numbers, and instantly see if you won a prize amount.
This online check is quick and easy. Just make sure to enter your numbers correctly. Some state sites will even tell you if you won multiple times on the same ticket, for example matching 4 white balls plus the Mega Ball and also 3 white balls plus the Mega Ball. The online check takes out all the work of comparing your ticket manually.
Use a Lottery App
In the digital age, you can even check if you won the lottery right from your mobile device. Most state lottery organizations have free official apps you can download, compatible with both iPhone and Android. After downloading, you can use these apps to scan your Mega Millions ticket barcode to automatically look up the winning numbers and display any prizes. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Some popular lottery apps include the New Jersey Lottery App, Georgia Lottery App, and California Lottery App. Just search for your local state lottery app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Scanning your ticket on apps is fast and prevents any manual number entering errors.
Claim Your Prize
Once you confirm that your Mega Millions ticket is a winner, it’s time to claim your prize! For security reasons, jackpot prizes must be claimed at the lottery headquarters in the state where you purchased your winning ticket. Most smaller prizes however can be claimed at any authorized lottery retailer in that state. In some states, prizes above $600 must be claimed at a designated lottery office while prizes below $600 can be claimed at retailers.
There is a time limit to claim prizes, typically 180 days from the draw date though this can vary by state. Be sure to claim your Mega Millions prize within the required timeframe or you risk forfeiting it!
Tips for Checking Results
Here are some useful tips when checking to see if your Mega Millions ticket scored a prize:
- Sign the back of your ticket for security.
- Make a copy of your ticket in case something happens to the original.
- Double check your numbers when checking online or on apps.
- Look for any smaller prizes you may have missed.
- Confirm the jackpot amount when you win big!
Mega Millions Draw Schedule
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased up until 10:45 p.m. on draw nights. Here is an overview of the Mega Millions draw schedule:
| Draw Days | Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesdays | 11 p.m. ET |
| Fridays | 11 p.m. ET |
Results are typically posted within an hour or two after the drawing occurs. Remember that Mega Millions has 9 different prize tiers, so there are lots of ways to win besides the jackpot. million There are 9 ways to win a prize, from $2 to the jackpot, by matching various combinations of numbers. Never assume your ticket isn’t a winner until you check it!
Where to Watch the Drawings
Mega Millions drawing results are not actually shown live on TV, but there are still ways to watch. The lottery partners with television stations in several participating states to broadcast the drawing after it happens. In Georgia, WSB-TV in Atlanta airs the Mega Millions drawing at 11:22 p.m on Tuesdays and Fridays. In California, KABC-TV in Los Angeles shows the drawing on Tuesday and Friday nights after their 11 p.m. news broadcast.
You may also be able to watch the drawing live online at select lottery websites. The Maryland Lottery website hosts a live stream of the Mega Millions drawing on its homepage. A recorded version of the drawing is also uploaded for replay. Check with your state’s lottery website to see if they offer drawing video.
Winning Number Notifications
Instead of manually looking up the Mega Millions numbers after each drawing, you can get winning numbers delivered directly to your phone or email inbox. Most lottery websites and apps offer to send you notifications with the latest results so you can conveniently find out if your ticket won a prize.
On the New York Lottery website, you can sign up to receive winning numbers for Mega Millions and other lottery games via email or text message. This way you can get the results instantly after the Tuesday and Friday night drawings. Official state lottery apps also provide push notifications with Mega Millions numbers and prizes if you allow it.
Check Ticket Status
Many state lotteries let you check the status of your Mega Millions ticket online to see if it has won a prize, is still eligible for future drawings, or has expired. For example, on the Ohio Lottery website you can enter your ticket details and if it won, you can file a claim right from your computer.
The website verifies if your ticket is a winner or not. If it won a prize, you can proceed to choose your claim method and fill out the secure online form. For winning tickets of $599 or less, you can elect to receive payment electronically or by mail. Winning tickets worth $600 or more require claiming in person at an authorized Ohio lottery office.
Lottery Official App
The official Mega Millions app is a great way to stay on top of your lottery play. You can find it by searching “Mega Millions Official App” on the App Store or Google Play. Features of the app include:
- Winning number notifications
- Jackpot alerts
- Ticket scanner
- Mega Millions locator
- Game details and how to play
With the Mega Millions app you can quickly check ticket status, view prize payouts, see when and where the drawings are televised, and more. Enable push notifications so you never miss winning numbers and jackpot updates.
Confirm Your Numbers
After playing Mega Millions, it’s crucial to always verify the numbers on your ticket before leaving the lottery retailer. Make sure the ticket shows the exact set of numbers you intended to play, and that the date is correct for the next drawing. Review the purchase date, drawing date, and ticket serial number.
If you notice any errors, notify the lottery retailer immediately and request a replacement ticket. Make sure any discarded tickets are completely destroyed so no one else can claim them. Confirming your ticket now prevents disappointment later if there are any discrepancies.
Mega Millions Results History
Want to look up older Mega Millions results? Lottery sites keep extensive drawing archives going back years. At megamillions.com, you can view a history calendar of all Mega Millions numbers and see each drawing’s jackpot amount.
This is useful for double checking your old tickets or analyzing past number trends. Jackpot totals are also available historically all the way back to the game’s debut in 1996 when it was known as The Big Game. Peruse the decades of Mega Millions results at your leisure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about checking and claiming Mega Millions prizes:
How long do I have to claim my prize?
Mega Millions prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date, though deadlines vary by state. Check your local lottery rules.
Can I claim a prize anonymously?
Some states allow you to claim lottery prizes through a trust so you can remain anonymous. Rules differ across Mega Millions jurisdictions.
What if I lose my winning ticket?
Losing a ticket likely means losing your prize. Protect your tickets and make copies if you win big!
How will I be paid if I win?
Jackpot prizes can be paid annuitized over time or in one cash lump sum. Smaller prizes are paid as a single payment.
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to play Mega Millions?
No, non-residents can purchase and claim Mega Millions tickets. You just need to be in a participating state.
Guessing the Numbers
While it can be fun to try guessing which numbers might get drawn, picking lottery numbers based on hunches or coincidences is not the best strategy. The five white balls are drawn from a pool of 70 numbers. The Mega Ball is drawn from a pool of 25 numbers. The odds of randomly guessing even just the 5 white balls correctly are 1 in 12,607,306!
A better approach is to use a mix of different numbers across the whole range and allow the computer to randomly quick pick your Mega Ball number. Using sentimental dates or geometric patterns reduces your odds of winning. Random number selection gives you the best mathematical chance at each prize tier.
Mega Millions Statistics
Some interesting Mega Millions lottery statistics include:
- Odds of winning jackpot: 1 in 302.6 million
- Odds of winning any prize: 1 in 24
- Largest jackpot: $1.537 billion on 10/23/2018
- Tickets sold per hour: 533,000
- Rollovers per year: 25 (average)
Reviewing the game stats helps underscore just how unlikely it is to hit the big jackpot. But it’s still fun to play and check your numbers!
Frequently Hit Mega Millions Numbers
While lottery number picks are random, here are some statistics on the most frequently occurring Mega Millions numbers:
Most hit white balls:
- 17 – Drawn 278 times
- 42 – Drawn 265 times
- 2 – Drawn 262 times
- 29 – Drawn 259 times
- 18 – Drawn 257 times
Most hit Mega Ball numbers:
- 11 – Drawn 65 times
- 9 – Drawn 58 times
- 13 – Drawn 57 times
- 39 – Drawn 51 times
- 22 – Drawn 48 times
However, statistics are not predictive and all number combinations have equal probability of being chosen.
Checking Winning Numbers Recap
Here’s a quick recap on how to check your Mega Millions ticket:
- Check numbers manually against draw results
- Use online lottery checker
- Scan ticket barcode in lottery app
- Sign up for winning number notifications
- Watch drawings on TV or online
Be sure to cross-check your ticket thoroughly against the winning number combinations. With 9 prize levels, it’s possible you won something even if you didn’t hit the jackpot. Good luck and remember to play responsibly!
Conclusion
Checking your Mega Millions ticket to see if you won is a thrilling experience. With jackpots starting at $20 million and the chance to become an instant millionaire, it’s no wonder lottery fans eagerly await the latest drawing results. Carefully check your numbers either manually or online to find out if you matched enough to win a prize. If you hold a winning Mega Millions ticket, be sure to claim your prize within the required timeframe. With smart play, you could be the next lucky winner!