What day is mega millions played on

Is everyone talking about Mega Millions and you feel left in the dark?

No worries. You're covered.

This is a quick guide to help you navigate the game from how to play and when the drawing is to how much a winning ticket is worth.

Here's what you need to know about the Mega Millions:

How much is the Mega Millions lottery jackpot?

The current Mega Millions jackpot stands at $1.28 billion, with a cash option of $747.2 million. The jackpot is currently the second highest in Mega Millions history and third largest in U.S. lottery history

Mega Millions numbers and results

No one matched all six numbers for the Tuesday, July 26 drawing. The numbers were 7, 29, 60, 63, 66 and the Mega Ball was 15. The Megaplier was 3.

Eight tickets matched all five numbers except for the Mega Ball worth $1 million. New Jersey and New York each had two winners, while the remaining winning tickets were sold in California, Florida, Illinois and Ohio.

One ticket bought in Ohio matched all five numbers except for the Mega Ball and added the Megaplier worth $3 million. 

When is the Mega Millions drawing?

Mega Millions drawings are held at 11 p.m. EDT and are held at WSB-TV in Atlanta. Videos of the latest Mega Millions drawing can be found at the Mega Millions YouTube channel.

When is the next Mega Millions drawing?

The next drawing is Friday, July 29. Mega Millions draws occur twice a week, on every Tuesday and Friday.

Where to buy Mega Millions tickets

You can play Mega Millions in 45 states, as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To find locations, search the Mega Millions website.

In Kentucky, residents can also purchase tickets online at www.KYLottery.com.

When is the cutoff time to buy Mega Millions tickets?

Kentucky residents can purchase Mega Millions tickets up to 10:45 p.m. ET. Each state's cutoff time varies. Check with your local lottery office for details.

How much a Mega Millions ticket costs

Two dollars will get you in the game for Mega Millions. For an additional $1, lottery hopefuls can add the Megaplier which can multiply your non-jackpot winnings up to five times.

How to play Mega Millions

The Hoosier Lottery offers an instructional video on how to play Mega Millions:

Just the Jackpot for Mega Millions

At a price of $3, the Mega Millions players will receive two plays for the jackpot only in some states. Just the Jackpot tickets are not eligible for any other prizes. Visit your local lottery’s website to see if the offer is available in your state.  

How much do you get for 2 numbers on Mega Millions?

Two numbers will not win you anything in Mega Millions, unless one of the numbers is the Mega Ball.

How many numbers do I need to win money on Mega Millions?

Technically, Mega Millions players only need to match one number to win money in the game. However, that number has to be the Mega Ball, which is worth $2. Click "How to Play" on the Mega Millions website for more details on payout information.

Odds of winning Mega Millions

There is a 1 in 24 chance of winning any Mega Millions prize. Chances for hitting the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350. 

Mega Millions' last jackpot winner

Here is the list of 2022 Mega Millions jackpot wins, according to megamillions.com:

• $426 million — Jan. 28; South California.
• $128 million — Mar. 8; New York.
• $110 million — April 12; Minnesota.
• $20 million — April 15; Tennessee.

Top 10 Mega Millions lottery jackpots

Here are the all-time top 10 Mega Millions jackpots, according to megamillions.com:

1. $1.537 billion — Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina.
2. $1.28 billion Mega Millions — July 29, 2022; TBD.
3. $1.05 billion — Jan. 22, 2021; Michigan
4. $656 million — Mar. 30, 2012; Kansas, Illinois, Maryland.
5. $648 million — Dec. 17, 2013; California, Georgia.
6. $543 million — July 24, 2018; California.
7. $536 million — July 8, 2016; Indiana.
8. $533 million — Mar. 30, 2018; New Jersey.
9. $522 million — June 7, 2019; California.
10. $516 million — May 21, 2021; Pennsylvania.

Top 10 U.S. lottery jackpots

Here are the nation's all-time top 10 Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots, according to powerball.com:

1. $1.586 billion, Powerball — Jan. 13, 2016; California, Florida, Tennessee.
2. $1.537 billion, Mega Millions — Oct. 23, 2018; South Carolina.
3. $1.28 billion Mega Millions — July 29, 2022; TBD.
4. $1.05 billion, Mega Millions — Jan. 22, 2021; Michigan.
5. $768.4 million, Powerball — Mar. 27, 2019; Wisconsin.
6. $758.7 million, Powerball — Aug. 23, 2017; Massachusetts.
7. $731.1 million, Powerball — Jan. 20, 2021; Maryland.
8. $699.8 million, Powerball — Oct. 4, 2021; California.
9. $687.8 million, Powerball — Oct. 27, 2018; Iowa, New York.
10. $656 million, Mega Millions — Mar. 30, 2012; Kansas, Illinois, Maryland.

Chris Sims is a digital producer at Midwest DOT. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.

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