The Mega Millions lottery is one of the most popular multi-state games in the United States, offering jackpots that routinely climb into the hundreds of millions of dollars. With such enormous prize pools up for grabs, it’s no wonder that people outside of the US often wonder if they can get in on the action too. So can Canadians purchase Mega Millions tickets? Let’s take a closer look.
The Basics of Mega Millions
First, let’s review some key facts about the Mega Millions lottery:
- Mega Millions is offered in 45 states across the US, plus Washington DC and the US Virgin Islands
- To play, you pick 5 main numbers from 1-70 and 1 Mega Ball number from 1-25
- Tickets cost $2 per play
- Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11pm ET
- Jackpots start at $40 million and roll over if there’s no winner
- Secondary prizes range from $1 million to $2 for matching some numbers
Those are the basics of how Mega Millions works. Now, on to the question at hand: can Canadians legally purchase Mega Millions tickets?
Purchasing Mega Millions Tickets from Canada
The short answer is no, Canadians are not able to legally buy Mega Millions tickets directly from the US lotteries offering the game. Mega Millions is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association, and their rules strictly prohibit the sale of tickets across borders. Tickets must be purchased from authorized retailers located within the 45 participating Mega Millions states.
Some key reasons Canadians cannot buy official Mega Millions tickets include:
- Mega Millions members have agreed to sell tickets exclusively within their own borders
- There are no ticket sales or lottery agents located in Canada
- Rules require winners to claim prizes in person at state lottery offices in the US
- Federal and state laws prohibit interstate and foreign lottery ticket sales
So if you physically live in Canada, there is simply no way to legally purchase an official Mega Millions ticket. The lotteries do not facilitate ticket sales online, by phone, or across international borders in any form.
Third Party Ticket Purchasing Services
While Canadians cannot buy official tickets, some companies exist that enable you to purchase entries into international lotteries like Mega Millions. Here’s how they work:
- You pay the company to buy tickets on your behalf in the US
- The company purchases official Mega Millions tickets through their agents in the US
- They scan and email you copies of the tickets as proof of purchase
- If you win a prize, they claim it and wire your winnings
At first glance, this setup seems like a great workaround. However, there are some major downsides to be aware of:
- The practice is still illegal – these companies are violating lottery rules on your behalf
- You must fully trust them to honor prizes and pay winnings
- Scanned ticket copies likely offer no legally binding proof of ownership
- There are high fees for ticket purchasing and prize claiming services
In summary, you take on substantial risk by using a third party ticket courier service. There is no guarantee you will actually receive any winnings owed.
Other Ways for Canadians to Play
While official Mega Millions participation is not possible from Canada, some other options exist including:
- Enter US lotteries that legally sell online entries, like Powerball
- Play the lottery in Liechtenstein which is open to foreigners
- Enter the Euro Millions lottery which has players across Europe
- Play provincial lottery games right in Canada
So in conclusion, Canadians do not have a means to legitimately purchase Mega Millions tickets. The game is reserved for those physically located within the United States. While third party services claim to facilitate ticket purchases for international players, they come with substantial risks and legal concerns. For these reasons, Canadians are best off exploring other fully legal lottery options if they want a shot at a jackpot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Canadian resident claim a Mega Millions prize if they have a winning ticket?
No, Canadians cannot claim Mega Millions prizes, even if they are in possession of a winning ticket that was legally purchased. The rules strictly prohibit those outside the US from collecting winnings. Winners must present a valid ticket in person at a participating state lottery office to verify their identity and eligibility.
Can I drive to the US, buy Mega Millions tickets there, then bring them back to Canada?
While not illegal, this scheme would violate the rules of the game. Tickets can only be purchased within the US by residents who are physically located in the country at the time. Tickets are not valid for redemption if purchased by foreign visitors. You must be a US resident and produce valid identification to claim any prize.
Are the scanned ticket copies from third party agents legally valid?
No, the scanned digital ticket copies likely provide no proof of ownership under lottery rules or legal standards in the US. The actual physical ticket is required to claim prizes. Only official state-issued winning ticket certificates can confirm a prize claim is valid. Copies and third party tickets have no such legitimacy.
Can I claim a Mega Millions prize through a friend or relative who lives in the US?
No, lottery winners cannot transfer prize claims to others to circumvent eligibility rules. A power of attorney or other arrangement with a US resident still would not make a Canadian eligible to collect winnings. Lottery offices confirm every winner’s identity thoroughly to prevent fraud.
Are Mega Millions prizes subject to US taxes for Canadians?
Yes, per IRS regulations, non-resident aliens from Canada would be subject to a minimum 30% tax withholding on any lottery winnings claimed in the US. This would apply even if you found some way around the other ticket purchasing and claiming restrictions as a Canadian. After taxes, more than 30 cents of every dollar won would be forfeited.
The Legality of Playing Mega Millions in Canada
Given the restrictions around purchasing tickets and claiming prizes, readers may wonder about the legality of Canadians trying to play Mega Millions. Here are some key legal considerations:
- There is no Canadian federal law prohibiting citizens from entering foreign lotteries like Mega Millions.
- However, the steps required to play Mega Millions almost certainly violate US federal and state laws.
- US Code Chapter 50 and state laws prohibit the interstate and foreign sale of lottery tickets.
- Only state-approved retailers can sell lottery tickets under licensed agreements.
- Tickets legally can only be sold to and claimed by US residents physically located in the country.
In summary, while Canada does not expressly ban participation in Mega Millions, the actions required for Canadians to play clearly violate US lottery laws. The US government reserves the right to prosecute violators, including suspension or revocation of a state lottery’s charter for allowing foreign ticket sales and claims.
Notable Legal Cases
There are some notable cases where Canadians ran into legal trouble trying to claim lottery prizes:
- In 2009, a Canadian man purchased a $250K winning Powerball ticket while traveling through Idaho. When he tried to claim it, Idaho’s lottery suspended payouts pending legal review. He settled for $150K after taxes.
- In 2011, a Quebec man won a $1 million Hot Lotto jackpot in Iowa. When he tried to claim it, Iowa’s lottery initiated a criminal probe that led to the fraud conviction of a lottery employee involved.
These cases help illustrate the strict legality around foreign lottery players. Canadians should avoid any scheme to purchase tickets in or claim winnings from the US, as it likely constitutes criminal lottery fraud.
Checking Mega Millions Results from Canada
While they cannot play, Canadians can at least view the latest Mega Millions results and winning number histories. Here are some options:
- Visit the official Mega Millions website at http://www.megamillions.com to see recent and past winning numbers.
- Check online lottery result services, such as Lottery.com or LotteryUSA.
- Find results in US news outlets like CNN or the New York Times.
- Search online for “mega millions winning numbers” to get the latest results.
Although Canadians can’t participate, tracking the growing jackpots and winning numbers each week can still be exciting. It’s interesting to imagine what you would do with hundreds of millions in winnings.
Similar Lotteries Canadians Can Play
While the Mega Millions jackpot is out of reach, Canadians still have plenty of big money lottery options of their own to play instead. Some of the largest include:
Lotto Max
- National lottery game played across Canada
- Offers jackpots starting at $10 million
- Tickets cost $5 with 7 numbers drawn from 1-50
- Drawings held twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays
- Odds of winning the jackpot are roughly 1 in 33 million
Lotto 6/49
- Canada’s first nationwide lotto established in 1982
- Choose 6 numbers from 1-49 plus a bonus number
- Tickets are $3 and drawings are held Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Jackpots start at around $5 million
- Odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 13 million
BC Lotto Max
- Only available in British Columbia
- Pick 7 numbers from 1-49 and 3 bonus numbers
- Tickets cost $5 each
- Jackpots begin at $10 million and can grow from there
- Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday
Quebec La Quotidienne
- Daily lottery only available in Quebec
- Tickets are $2 and have you pick 6 numbers from 1-45
- Guaranteed minimum jackpot of $100K
- Prize payouts differ based on the number of winners
- Odds of exactly matching all 6 numbers are 1 in 8.1 million
While not as gigantic as Mega Millions, these provincial games still offer substantial jackpots. Other regional games are also available based on which province you live in.
The Future Possibility of Cross Border Lottery Sales
While interstate and foreign lottery ticket sales are currently prohibited in the US, the landscape could eventually change to allow expanded participation.
There have been some small steps in this direction already, such as:
- In 2015, state lotteries began allowing the pooling of jackpots across games like Powerball and Mega Millions to offer bigger prizes.
- A few states permit lottery ticket purchases online within their own borders.
- Rhode Island considered a bill in 2020 to allow ticket sales to neighboring states.
However, full interstate lottery sales would require approval from the Department of Justice, removal of current gambling restrictions, and authorization by every participating state lottery. Similar complications exist around permitting international sales.
Lotteries generate significant revenue for state budgets, so there is motivation to expand participation. But widespread change still appears a long way off. For now, when it comes to playing Mega Millions in Canada, the barriers remain firmly in place.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Canadians do not have any means to legally purchase Mega Millions tickets or claim prizes in the lottery. The game is operated by US state lotteries strictly for ticket sales and claims within their borders. While third party ticket purchasing services exist, they violate lottery rules and likely constitute fraud.
Canadians can keep tabs on Mega Millions jackpots and winning numbers. But those looking to actually play have to content themselves with Canadian lottery options. Buying tickets across borders or internationally involves substantial legal and financial risks with little chance of reward.
For true lotto fans intent on playing Mega Millions, the only fully legitimate option is to establish residence in the United States through dual citizenship or other permanent status. Until and unless US lotteries expand participation options, Canadians will remain on the outside looking in at those tantalizing eight and nine figure jackpots.