Texas Powerball and Mega Millions are two of the biggest lottery games in the United States. Both games offer the chance to win huge multi-million dollar jackpots. But there are some key differences between the two games in terms of how they are played, the odds of winning, and where the games are available.
How Texas Powerball Works
Texas Powerball is administered by the Texas Lottery. To play, you choose 5 main numbers from 1 to 69, and 1 Powerball number from 1 to 26. The Powerball number is drawn from a separate drum. You can either select your own numbers or opt for a Quick Pick and let the computer randomly select numbers for you.
To win the jackpot, you need to match all 6 numbers. You win a prize for matching just the Powerball number or for matching at least 3 main numbers plus the Powerball. Drawings are held twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The minimum jackpot starts at $40 million and continues to grow until there is a winner. Jackpots have climbed as high as $1.6 billion before. Texas joined the Powerball game in 2010 and has had several jackpot winners since then.
Texas Powerball Prize Levels
Here is a breakdown of the 9 ways to win a prize in Texas Powerball:
| Prize Level | Match | Odds (1 in…) | Prize Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – Jackpot | 5 main + Powerball | 292,201,338 | Starting jackpot of $40 million |
| 2 | 5 main | 11,688,053 | $1 million |
| 3 | 4 main + Powerball | 913,129 | $50,000 |
| 4 | 4 main | 36,525 | $100 |
| 5 | 3 main + Powerball | 14,494 | $100 |
| 6 | 3 main | 579 | $7 |
| 7 | 2 main + Powerball | 701 | $7 |
| 8 | 1 main + Powerball | 91 | $4 |
| 9 | Powerball only | 38 | $4 |
How Mega Millions Works
Mega Millions is run by a consortium of state lotteries. To play, you pick 5 main numbers from 1 to 70 and 1 Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. You can choose your own numbers or go with an Easy Pick. Mega Millions drawings happen twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays.
To win the jackpot prize, you’ll need to match all 6 numbers. You can also win smaller prizes by matching some or just the Mega Ball number. Jackpots start at $40 million and grow until someone wins. The record Mega Millions jackpot has been $1.537 billion.
Mega Millions Prize Levels
Here is a summary of the 9 prize tiers in Mega Millions:
| Prize Level | Match | Odds (1 in…) | Prize Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – Jackpot | 5 main + Mega Ball | 302,575,350 | Starting jackpot of $40 million |
| 2 | 5 main | 12,607,306 | $1 million |
| 3 | 4 main + Mega Ball | 931,001 | $10,000 |
| 4 | 4 main | 38,792 | $500 |
| 5 | 3 main + Mega Ball | 14,547 | $200 |
| 6 | 3 main | 606 | $10 |
| 7 | 2 main + Mega Ball | 693 | $10 |
| 8 | 1 main + Mega Ball | 89 | $4 |
| 9 | Mega Ball only | 37 | $2 |
Differences between Texas Powerball and Mega Millions
While both games offer giant jackpots, there are some notable differences between Powerball and Mega Millions:
Number Range
In Powerball, the 5 main numbers are chosen from 1 to 69, while the Mega Ball is picked from 1 to 26. Mega Millions has a wider range, with main numbers from 1 to 70 and the Mega Ball from 1 to 25.
Days of Drawings
Powerball drawings are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Mega Millions drawings happen on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Starting Jackpots
The minimum starting jackpot is the same for both games at $40 million. However, Mega Millions also sometimes offers a starting jackpot of $20 million on slower rollover weeks.
Odds of Winning Jackpot
You have slightly better odds of winning the Powerball jackpot, at 1 in 292 million. The odds of taking home a Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302 million.
Average Jackpots
Based on past rollovers, the average Powerball jackpot tends to be slightly higher at around $150 million. For Mega Millions, the average jackpot is roughly $105 million.
Biggest Jackpots
In January 2016, Powerball had a record $1.6 billion jackpot split between 3 winning tickets. For Mega Millions, the highest jackpot so far was $1.537 billion in October 2018 with 1 winning ticket.
Number Pools
Powerball has 69 numbers to choose from in the main set compared to 70 for Mega Millions. This means the odds of winning any prize are a little better in Powerball.
Megaplier Option
Mega Millions offers the Megaplier feature to multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to 5 times. Powerball doesn’t have a similar multiplier option.
Prize Payouts
For matching 5 main numbers, Mega Millions pays $1 million compared to $1 million or higher on Powerball depending on sales. At lower prize tiers, Powerball payouts are generally higher than Mega Millions.
Participating States
Powerball is currently available in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mega Millions can be played in 45 states plus D.C. and the Virgin Islands. Powerball has wider overall availability.
Which game has better odds?
The odds of winning any prize are slightly better in Powerball compared to Mega Millions. Your overall chances of winning something are about 1 in 24.9 in Powerball versus 1 in 24.0 in Mega Millions.
For the jackpot specifically, your odds are around 1 in 292 million for Powerball versus 1 in 302 million in Mega Millions. So Powerball has the edge when looking strictly at the odds.
Which game has paid more jackpots to players?
In total, Powerball has awarded more big jackpot prizes since it has been around longer. Since 1992, there have been 789 jackpot wins in Powerball worth a total of around $22.8 billion. Mega Millions has seen 581 jackpots awarded since 1996 totaling $18.2 billion.
Which game has produced bigger jackpots?
The two games are neck-and-neck when it comes to the size of jackpots. Powerball still holds the overall record for the biggest lottery jackpot in U.S. history at $1.6 billion in January 2016. But Mega Millions comes close with jackpots of $1.537 billion and $1.05 billion.
How do jackpots grow?
Jackpots in both games grow based on sales and rollovers. When there is no jackpot winner, the prize rolls over and increases for the next drawing. Higher ticket sales also impact how much the advertised jackpot increases by. Both games are designed to routinely award giant jackpot amounts that get widespread public attention.
Where can I play these games?
Powerball and Mega Millions are both widely available games, but they are not offered in every state. Powerball can currently be played in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mega Millions is available in 45 states plus D.C. and the Virgin Islands.
Some states offer just one of the games, while others sell both Powerball and Mega Millions. Check with your state lottery for availability if you are unsure.
Can jackpot winners remain anonymous?
Powerball and Mega Millions handle anonymity differently. In Mega Millions, players can remain anonymous and keep their identities hidden in some states. For Powerball, most states require the names and locations of jackpot winners be made public.
A handful of Powerball states allow you to form a trust to claim a prize anonymously. You should check with your local lottery officials on the rules for claiming prizes in your jurisdiction.
How are jackpot prizes paid out?
Both games offer two jackpot payment options. You can take the full prize amount in 30 annual installments, or opt for the reduced lump sum cash option paid immediately. The cash value is typically around half the advertised annuity amount.
For example, on a $400 million jackpot, the cash value might be $200 million. Take the lump sum, and that full $200 million minus taxes is yours right away. Select the annuity, and you would receive about $13 million per year over 30 years before taxes.
What are the tax implications?
Both Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots are subject to federal and possibly state taxes. The exact tax rate will depend on where you purchased your ticket and reside. Expect to pay at least 25-30% minimum on the federal side.
Some states like Texas don’t tax lottery winnings. But others like California may impose over 10% in state taxes. Check with a tax professional to understand the full tax impact if you win.
Which game is better for players?
Powerball and Mega Millions are quite similar in many aspects. Powerball has slightly better overall odds of winning, higher average jackpots, and more states to play in. But Mega Millions holds the record for the second largest jackpot. So neither game clearly has an advantage for players.
Your best option may be to play both games. This doubles your chances to win and takes advantage of their different drawing days. Some states sell tickets for both games, so you can play Powerball and Mega Millions to fit any lottery budget.
Key Takeaways
Here are some of the key differences and similarities between Powerball vs. Mega Millions:
- Powerball jackpots start at $40 million; Mega Millions at $40 million and sometimes $20 million
- Powerball drawings are Wednesdays & Saturdays; Mega Millions on Tuesdays & Fridays
- Powerball has better odds of winning any prize (1 in 24.9)
- Mega Millions has offered a record $1.537 billion jackpot
- Both games can produce jackpots over $1 billion
- Powerball pays slightly higher prizes on lower tier wins
- Mega Millions has a multiplier feature called the Megaplier
- Players have similar lump sum or annuity payment options
- Federal taxes apply to jackpots regardless of game
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play Powerball and Mega Millions in the same state?
Yes, most states offer both Powerball and Mega Millions. Only a handful sell just one or the other. Check with your state lottery to confirm availability where you live.
What are the tax rates on jackpot prizes?
Federal taxes are at least 25%, and state taxes can be up to 13% depending on where you reside and purchase your ticket. You should consult a tax professional.
Can Powerball or Mega Millions jackpots go higher than $1 billion?
Yes, there is no cap on the jackpots in either game. With strong sales and enough rollovers, the prizes could certainly eclipse $1 billion again in the future.
Which game has better secondary prize payouts?
Powerball offers higher set prizes for matching 4 or 5 main numbers. But Mega Millions can multiply these prizes with the optional Megaplier for an extra $1 per ticket.
What are Power Play and Megaplier?
Power Play is a Powerball feature to multiply non-jackpot prizes using a random multiplier. Megaplier similarly increases Mega Millions prizes excluding the jackpot for an extra $1 fee.
What are the largest jackpots won in each game?
The record Powerball jackpot was $1.586 billion shared by 3 tickets in January 2016. For Mega Millions, a single ticket won a $1.537 billion jackpot in October 2018.
Conclusion
Powerball and Mega Millions offer multi-state lottery players the chance to win jackpots starting at $40 million and often climbing over $500 million. Both games have produced jackpots over $1.5 billion, and continue to grow until someone wins.
While the two lotteries have many similarities, Powerball historically has had better overall odds and higher average jackpot amounts. However, Mega Millions holds the #2 largest jackpot ever in the United States.
For the biggest chances to win, your best strategy may be to play both games. Some states sell tickets for Powerball and Mega Millions, so you can play on Wednesday and Saturday, and Tuesday and Friday to maximize your lottery chances.
