The Mega Millions lottery is one of the biggest multi-state lottery games in the United States. It is played in nearly every state, with millions of people purchasing tickets for a chance to win huge jackpots. In Los Angeles (LA), Mega Millions can be watched live on television when the drawings take place on Tuesday and Friday evenings at 8:00 PM Pacific Time. Knowing what channel to tune into to catch the Mega Millions drawings in LA is important for those who like to watch the drawing live to see the winning numbers get drawn.
What is Mega Millions?
Mega Millions is a multi-jurisdictional lottery game played across most of the United States, as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The game began in 1996 as The Big Game and became Mega Millions in 2002. Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11:00 PM Eastern Time. At each drawing, five white ball numbers are drawn from a set of balls numbered 1 through 70, and one gold Mega Ball number is drawn from a separate set of balls numbered 1 through 25. To win the Mega Millions jackpot, players must match all six numbers. The starting guaranteed jackpot amount is $40 million, and it continues to grow by at least $5 million each draw until there is a winner. The jackpot can grow to be hundreds of millions of dollars before a lucky player matches all six numbers.
How to Play Mega Millions
Playing Mega Millions requires selecting five main numbers from 1 to 70, and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. Players can choose their own numbers by picking five numbers and the Mega Ball number. There are also the Quick Pick and Easy Pick options where the lottery terminal randomly generates the numbers for the player. For each Mega Millions play, the cost is $2. Players also have the option to add the Megaplier feature to their ticket for an additional $1 per play. The Megaplier multiplies non-jackpot prizes by up to 5 times if the Megaplier number drawn matches the player’s Megaplier choice.
To win the Mega Millions jackpot, a player must match all five white balls in any order, plus the gold Mega Ball. The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 302 million. Other smaller prizes have better odds ranging from 1 in 24 to 1 in 12.6 million. The overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24.
Where to Play Mega Millions in Los Angeles
In California, the California Lottery is responsible for administering Mega Millions. Those who live in Los Angeles and want to play have many options for purchasing tickets:
- At over 23,000 lottery retailers throughout Los Angeles County and surrounding areas.
- The Lottery also has District Offices located throughout LA offering ticket sales.
- On the web at the California Lottery website.
- Via the California Lottery Mobile App.
- Lottery vending machines are available at select retail locations.
Players must be at least 18 years old to play. The California Lottery recommends playing responsibly and within limits.
When Are the Mega Millions Drawings?
The Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday evening at 8:00 PM Pacific Time. Here is an overview of when the drawings occur:
- Tuesday drawings are held at 8:00 PM Pacific Time
- Friday drawings are held at 8:00 PM Pacific Time
- This is equivalent to 11:00 PM Eastern Time on draw nights
On draw nights, players need to purchase tickets by 7:45 PM local time to be eligible for that night’s drawing. Tickets sales cut-off times vary by retailer. It’s advisable to purchase tickets early to ensure eligibility.
How to Watch the Mega Millions Drawing in LA
When the Mega Millions drawings take place on Tuesday and Friday nights, Los Angeles lottery players can watch the drawing live on television. Here are the channels to watch the Mega Millions drawing in LA:
- KTLA 5 (CW affiliate) – KTLA is expected to air the Mega Millions drawing live during their 10pm newscast on draw nights.
- KCAL 9 (CBS owned independent station) – KCAL 9 also broadcasts the Mega Millions drawing during their nightly 10pm newscast.
- California Lottery Drawing Show – Some local cable providers may carry the dedicated California Lottery Drawing Show which airs the Mega Millions drawing at 8:00pm PT.
Besides watching on TV, the drawing will also be available via live stream on the California Lottery website and YouTube channel.
The drawings are conducted at the WSB-TV studios in Atlanta, Georgia and hosted by Mega Millions draw officials. During the drawing, numbered balls are drawn mechanically to select the winning numbers. The process is conducted and certified by accounting firm KPMG.
How to Get the Winning Mega Millions Numbers
For those unable to watch the Mega Millions drawing live, there are multiple ways to get the winning numbers after they are drawn each Tuesday and Friday night:
- California Lottery website and mobile app – The winning numbers are posted immediately after the drawing.
- Lottery retailer terminals – Winning numbers are displayed at lottery retailers shortly after the drawing.
- Newspapers and online news sites publish the numbers.
- California Lottery phone hotline.
- Watch recaps on YouTube and news stations.
The California Lottery encourages players to always verify their own tickets after the drawing, rather than relying solely on word of mouth to check for winners. Winners have 180 days from the draw date to claim their prize.
Notable Mega Millions Jackpots Won in California
Over the years, California has produced several big Mega Millions winners. Here are some of the largest California Mega Millions jackpots won to date:
| Date | Winner Location | Jackpot Amount |
|---|---|---|
| October 2018 | San Jose | $543 million |
| December 2013 | San Jose | $648 million |
| March 2007 | Pasadena | $390 million |
As shown, the two largest Mega Millions jackpots ever awarded in California were both won by tickets purchased in San Jose. The largest was $648 million in 2013. Mega Millions jackpots start at $20 million and continue growing until there’s a winner. The jackpot reached a record $1.537 billion in October 2018 before a winner in South Carolina took the prize.
Biggest Mega Millions Jackpots
Here is an overview of the top 10 largest jackpots in Mega Millions history:
| Rank | Date | Amount | Winning State |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10/23/2018 | $1.537 billion | South Carolina |
| 2 | 1/22/2021 | $1.050 billion | Michigan |
| 3 | 7/29/2022 | $1.337 billion | Illinois |
| 4 | 3/30/2012 | $656 million | Kansas, Illinois, Maryland |
| 5 | 12/17/2013 | $648 million | California, Georgia |
| 6 | 10/13/2020 | $120 million | Wisconsin |
| 7 | 6/7/2019 | $522 million | California |
| 8 | 7/8/2016 | $536 million | Indiana |
| 9 | 3/18/2014 | $414 million | Florida |
| 10 | 8/22/2017 | $758.7 million | Massachusetts |
As shown, the top two record jackpots were over $1 billion each. Four jackpots have surpassed $500 million, while more than half have been over $400 million. Mega Millions jackpot amounts have been rising in recent years as tweaks were made to the game to make larger prizes possible.
Notable Mega Millions Jackpot Wins in the US
Along with the top 10 biggest jackpots listed already, here are some other notable large Mega Millions jackpots won in different states over the years:
- $516 million – Pennsylvania (5/21/2021)
- $451 million – Florida (1/5/2018)
- $437 million – New York (1/1/2019)
- $425 million – Arizona (1/16/2014)
- $414 million – Maryland (3/30/2012)
- $393 million – Illinois (8/11/2017)
- $390 million – Georgia (12/17/2013)
- $380 million – Ohio (11/4/2016)
- $378 million – Minnesota (3/5/2019)
- $366 million – Michigan (4/22/2022)
Having a winning ticket purchased in your state is always exciting. California is definitely lucky to have sold several winning tickets for enormous Mega Millions jackpots over the years!
Changes to Mega Millions Game Format and Odds
Mega Millions has undergone some game format changes over the years that have impacted both the size of jackpots and the odds of winning. Here are the key changes:
- October 2017 – Mega Millions changed to 5/70 + 1/25 format. This made the odds longer but meant jackpots could grow bigger.
- October 2013 – Megaplier add-on option introduced.
- January 2012 – Price per play increased to $1 per line.
- January 2010 – Matrix changed to 5/56 + 1/46.
The most recent change to 5/70 + 1/25 has resulted in fewer lower tier prize winners, but much larger jackpots. The new $2 cost per play also contributes to faster growing jackpots.
Current Mega Millions Odds and Prizes
Here is an overview of the current Mega Millions odds of winning and prize payouts:
| Match | Odds | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 5 white balls + MB | 1 in 302,575,350 | Jackpot |
| 5 white balls | 1 in 12,607,306 | $1 million |
| 4 white balls + MB | 1 in 931,001 | $10,000 |
| 4 white balls | 1 in 38,792 | $500 |
| 3 white balls + MB | 1 in 14,547 | $200 |
| 3 white balls | 1 in 606 | $10 |
| 2 white balls + MB | 1 in 693 | $10 |
| 1 white ball + MB | 1 in 89 | $4 |
| MB only | 1 in 37 | $2 |
As shown, matching the 5 main numbers and Mega Ball wins the multimillion dollar jackpot. Even matching just the Mega Ball offers a $2 prize. Overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.
Tips for Playing Mega Millions in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles residents who want to try their luck playing Mega Millions, here are some tips:
- Look up the Mega Millions drawing schedule and watch drawings live on KTLA or KCAL 9 at 8pm PT.
- Use Quick Pick or Easy Pick for randomly generated numbers if you don’t have favorite numbers.
- Take advantage of the Megaplier to multiply non-jackpot prizes.
- Remember that jackpots keep growing until there’s a winner, so play when the jackpot is especially big.
- Form or join an office pool, lottery club, or syndicate to buy more tickets and spread out costs.
- Buy early before the ticket sales cutoff time 7:45pm in California.
- Always sign the back of your physical ticket for security.
- Double check your numbers right after the drawing using the California Lottery website or app.
- Sign up for a lottery subscription or multi-draw ticket to automatically be entered into future drawings.
- Use responsible gambling practices and play Mega Millions strictly for entertainment.
As the Mega Millions jackpot grows to new record amounts, playing the iconic lottery game in LA offers plenty of anticipation and excitement! Just remember to always play responsibly.
Conclusion
In summary, the Mega Millions lottery drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday night at 8:00pm Pacific Time. Los Angeles residents can watch the drawing live by tuning into KTLA 5 or KCAL 9 at 10:00pm when it airs during their evening newscast. To play Mega Millions in LA, you can buy tickets at over 23,000 retailers, California Lottery District Offices, online, or through the California Lottery Mobile App. Mega Millions has awarded several enormous jackpots in California over the years, including a $648 million prize sold in San Jose. With jackpots starting at $20 million and growing until there’s a winner, Mega Millions offers the chance at huge riches to those lucky enough to match all six numbers. By following the tips outlined above and using responsible gambling practices, Los Angeles lottery players can optimize their chances of winning a prize when playing Mega Millions. Just remember to tune into KTLA or KCAL 9 at 10:00pm on Tuesday and Friday nights to watch the drawings live and see the latest winning numbers get drawn.
