Mega Millions is a US multi-state lottery built on 5 White Balls and 1 Mega Ball. This WINLAH guide explains the current rules introduced in April 2025: a USD 5 ticket, a built-in multiplier on every play, a starting jackpot of USD 50 million and nine prize tiers. WINLAH’s own lobby does not include a lottery tab, so this page is a rules guide rather than a place to buy tickets.
Understanding the Mega Millions format
To complete a ticket, players choose 5 main numbers from 01 to 70 from the White Ball pool and 1 Mega Ball from 01 to 24 from the gold-ball pool. Each play costs USD 5.
The results are divided into 9 prize tiers, ranging from matching only the Mega Ball to winning the Jackpot by matching all 5 main numbers and the Mega Ball. The odds of winning the Jackpot are about 1 in 290.5 million, which is why the top prize often rolls over for many draws.
Since April 2025 every Mega Millions play includes a multiplier at no extra cost. Each ticket is assigned a random multiplier of 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 10x, which applies to all non-Jackpot prizes won by that ticket.
When the Jackpot is won, the prize may be received through either the Cash Option or Annuity Option, depending on the applicable rules. The Cash Option provides a one-time payment based on the cash value announced for the draw, while the Annuity Option distributes the total Jackpot value through scheduled payments over multiple years.
Mega Millions draw procedure
Each Mega Millions draw involves several stages, from equipment checks and the drawing process to result verification. This procedure is designed to ensure that the numbers are selected randomly and that the results are accurately recorded before being announced.
Pre-draw equipment preparation and inspection
Before each draw, the drawing equipment and ball sets are inspected to ensure they are operating properly. These checks help minimize potential discrepancies and maintain the randomness of the results.
- Equipment inspection: Check the condition of the two drawing machines and the ball sets before use.
- Ball inspection: Verify the weight, dimensions and condition of each ball according to the required standards.
- Test run: Check the air-mixing system and the operation of the drawing machines before the draw begins.
Independent drawing process
The Mega Millions draw uses two separate groups of balls to determine the 5 main numbers and 1 Mega Ball. The balls are mixed and selected randomly according to the established drawing procedure.
- White Ball machine: Mixes 70 White Balls and selects 5 main numbers.
- Gold Ball machine: Mixes 24 gold balls and selects 1 Mega Ball.
- Multiplier: The multiplier is attached to each ticket when it is bought and is used to calculate non-Jackpot prizes.
Result verification and winning tickets
After all numbers have been selected, the results are recorded and verified before being officially announced. The draw data is also used to identify tickets at WINLAH that meet the applicable winning conditions.
- Result verification: Record and cross-check the numbers selected in the draw.
- Ticket verification: Compare issued tickets against the official draw results.
- Prize classification: Determine the number of winning tickets in each prize tier and update the Jackpot for the next draw when applicable.
Number selection rules for Mega Millions
In addition to manual selection, players can use Quick Pick; the multiplier is included automatically on every play.
- 5 main numbers: Choose 5 different numbers from 01-70.
- 1 Mega Ball: Choose 1 number from 01-24.
- Standard: Manually select the complete number combination.
- Quick Pick: Let the system generate a random number combination.
- Built-in multiplier: Every play includes a 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 10x multiplier on non-Jackpot prizes; there is no separate add-on to buy.
Mega Millions prize tiers concept
The Mega Millions prize structure consists of 9 tiers, determined by the number of White Balls and Mega Ball matching the drawn results. Non-Jackpot prizes have fixed base amounts that are always multiplied by the ticket’s 2x–10x multiplier, while the Jackpot rolls over between draws if no ticket matches the complete winning combination.
| Prize tier | Matching numbers | Base prize | With 2x–10x multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackpot | 5 main numbers + 1 Mega Ball | Starts at USD 50 million | Not multiplied |
| Second prize | 5 main numbers | USD 1,000,000 | USD 2 million – 10 million |
| Third prize | 4 main numbers + 1 Mega Ball | USD 10,000 | USD 20,000 – 100,000 |
| Fourth prize | 4 main numbers | USD 500 | USD 1,000 – 5,000 |
| Fifth prize | 3 main numbers + 1 Mega Ball | USD 200 | USD 400 – 2,000 |
| Sixth prize | 3 main numbers | USD 10 | USD 20 – 100 |
| Seventh prize | 2 main numbers + 1 Mega Ball | USD 10 | USD 20 – 100 |
| Eighth prize | 1 main number + 1 Mega Ball | USD 7 | USD 14 – 70 |
| Ninth prize | Mega Ball only | USD 5 | USD 10 – 50 |
Prize payout mechanism:
- Jackpot: Starts at USD 50 million and continues to roll over if no ticket matches all 5 main numbers and the Mega Ball.
- Non-Jackpot prizes: Second through Ninth prizes have fixed base amounts according to each tier.
- Multiplier: Every ticket’s non-Jackpot prize is multiplied by its 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 10x value.
- Second prize: The USD 1 million prize becomes USD 2 million to USD 10 million depending on the multiplier.
Checking official Mega Millions results
After each Mega Millions draw, players can check their tickets with the official Mega Millions results by following these steps. Compare the 5 main numbers, the Mega Ball and the ticket’s multiplier to determine the prize.
- Check the main numbers: Compare the 5 White Balls on the ticket with the 5 main numbers drawn. Changing the order of the numbers does not change the result.
- Check the Mega Ball: Compare the Mega Ball on the ticket with the Mega Ball drawn in the draw. If they match, the result is calculated according to the applicable prize tier.
- Check the multiplier: If the ticket wins a non-Jackpot prize, multiply the base prize by the ticket’s 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 10x multiplier.
- Confirm with the official source: Check the published draw results and claim rules of the lottery where the ticket was bought.
Conclusion
Mega Millions now uses a USD 5 ticket with 5 main numbers from 1–70, 1 Mega Ball from 1–24 and a built-in 2x–10x multiplier on every non-Jackpot prize. The Jackpot starts at USD 50 million with odds of about 1 in 290.5 million. For games that are available in the WINLAH lobby, see our slots, live casino, sports and fishing guides.
