The record breaking $656 million first prize remains the largest lottery prize ever won today.
US Mega Millions History
The United States does everything a lot bigger than other countries in the world. That has also always been the case with US Lotteries. The US Mega Millions was originally known as the “Big Game,” which in 1996 was changed to the “Big Game Mega Millions” It was also in 1996 that the former “Gold Ball” was changed to the “Mega Ball”.
In 2003, it was in the lone star state, Texas, that led the way by offering the Megaplier option. The Megaplier multiples secondary wins by up to four times and was quickly adopted by all Mega Millions states.
The unbelievable Mega Millions record jackpot of $656 million was thanks to eager ticket buyers in the 44 states that the lottery is active. When the $363 Mega Millions jackpot prize was not claimed, it jumped to $476 million, $500 million, $540 million, $640 million, and finally $656 million within four days. The record jackpot went to 3 lucky ticket holders from Kansas, Maryland and Illinois.
How it Works
It couldn’t be easier to play the US Mega Millions Lottery online. No matter where you are in the world, as long as you have an internet connection you can select five numbers from a range of one to fifty-six and the Mega Ball extra number from a range of one to forty-six. To win the unbelievable jackpot, players must match all numbers including the Mega Ball. The Mega Ball is also essential to win one of the many secondary prizes offered by Mega Millions.
The unique Megaplier option can multiply secondary prizes four times turning a $250,000 prize into a cool million.
The lottery is drawn every Tuesday and Friday in the US but you can get your tickets online right now.
How to Win
There is an astonishing nine prize categories available with US Mega Millions. The jackpot is won by matching all the five numbers and the Mega Ball additional number. The Mega Ball is also required to win the secondary prize categories as well.
Non-US residents are charged 30% on all lottery wins.
Mega Millions Statistics
The Mega Millions’ most frequently drawn numbers are currently: 45, 36, 38, 3, 21, 27, 29, 31, 44, 48, 49, and 56.
The lottery’s least frequently drawn numbers are currently: 9, 10, 14, 8, 11, 12, 15, 18, 34, and 53.
theLotter.com Mega Millions Winners
Three 2nd Prize MegaMillions Winners at theLotter - Three players at theLotter.com have claimed the 2nd prize in the U.S. MegaMillions, taking home $250,000 each. In 2009, T. K., an American living in New York preferred playing in the comfort of his own home and was rewarded with a $250,000 Mega Millions prize after collecting the ticket from theLotter.com’s local New York office. In 2011, N.B. from Switzerland correctly predicted five numbers and won the coveted multi-state lottery’s second prize division. Most recently, B.G. from Spain was the recipient of the American lottery’s $250,000 prize when the player purchased a Multi-Draw package at theLotter.com in March 2012, bringing the lotto fan a happy quarter of a million dollar return!
Record Ticket Sales, Record Prizes - Mega Millions’ record-breaking prize of $656 million dollars began as a $476 million jackpot when draw 2012/25 rolled over at the end of March 2012. Lotto fans who anticipated the lottery’s jump to half a billion dollars continued to purchase tickets at an astounding rate and pushed the jackpot up to $500 million within a day. Soon after, additional prize jumps followed, upping the first place reward to $540 million, $640 million, and a final prize of $656 million. Ticket sales from 44 participating states contributed to the new world record!
