The Mega Millions is one of the biggest multi-state lottery games in the United States. It is played in 45 states, as well as Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11 p.m. ET. In Michigan, you can watch the Mega Millions drawings live on several TV stations and streaming platforms.
Watch on Broadcast TV
In Michigan, the Mega Millions drawings are usually aired live on the following broadcast TV stations:
- WXYZ-TV Channel 7 (Detroit)
- WDIV-TV Channel 4 (Detroit)
- WOTV 4 (Battle Creek)
- WMMT-TV Channel 3.2 (Lansing)
- WNEM-TV Channel 5.2 (Saginaw)
- WPBN-TV Channel 7.2 (Traverse City)
- WGTU-TV Channel 29 (Traverse City)
- WWTV-TV Channel 9.2 (Cadillac)
To watch the Mega Millions drawings live on broadcast TV, simply tune in to one of these stations a few minutes before 11 p.m. ET every Tuesday and Friday night. The actual drawing usually lasts about 5-10 minutes and will show the winning Mega Millions numbers being drawn.
Watch Online
In addition to broadcast TV, you can also watch the Mega Millions drawings live online through the following platforms:
MegaMillions.com
The official Mega Millions website hosts a live stream of the drawings on draw nights. Simply go to www.megamillions.com just before 11 p.m. ET and look for the link to watch the live drawing.
YouTube
The Mega Millions YouTube channel live streams the drawings as well. Go to www.youtube.com/megamillions a few minutes before 11 p.m. ET to watch the drawings in real-time.
Lottery Websites
The Michigan Lottery website and app also provides a live stream of Mega Millions drawings at www.michiganlottery.com. Other state lottery websites like the Ohio Lottery may live stream the drawings too.
News Websites
Local TV station websites in Michigan often live stream the Mega Millions drawings online. Check the websites for stations like WXYZ Detroit and WDIV Detroit at drawing time.
Watch on Mobile
In addition to watching online on your computer, you can also watch the Mega Millions drawings live on your smartphone or mobile device:
- Watch via the YouTube app on iOS or Android.
- Watch via the Michigan Lottery app for iOS and Android.
- Watch via the live streaming apps of local TV stations.
Check Winning Numbers
If you miss the live drawings, you can check the winning Mega Millions numbers after 11 p.m. ET on draw nights from the following sources:
- MegaMillions.com
- Michigan Lottery website and app
- Local TV stations
- Newspaper websites
The winning numbers are typically posted within 5-10 minutes after the drawing concludes. Remember that Mega Millions has two sets of numbers – the main 5 numbers between 1-70 and the Mega Ball number between 1-25. You’ll need to match all 6 numbers to win the Mega Millions jackpot!
Buy Tickets Online
In addition to checking results online, you can also buy Mega Millions tickets online in Michigan through the Michigan Lottery website and mobile apps. Here are some tips for buying online:
- You must be at least 18 years old and physically located in Michigan to play.
- Create an account on the Michigan Lottery website or mobile app.
- Fund your account with a debit card, credit card, bank transfer, CashApp, Apple Pay, etc.
- Use the account funds to buy Mega Millions tickets before cutoff.
- Print or save your ticket as proof of purchase.
- Tickets purchased online have the same validity as in-person tickets.
- Winning online tickets can be claimed online or in-person.
Play Mega Millions
Here are some key tips to play Mega Millions in Michigan:
- Pick 5 main numbers between 1-70 or use Quick Pick for random numbers.
- Pick 1 Mega Ball number between 1-25 or use Quick Pick.
- Each Mega Millions play costs $2 per draw.
- Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET.
- Tickets can’t be purchased after 10:45 p.m. ET on draw nights.
- Minimum jackpot is $20 million and keeps growing until there’s a winner.
- Jackpots start at $40 million after a jackpot win.
- Tickets can be purchased online or from authorized Michigan retailers.
Check Odds
The overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are around 1 in 24. But the odds vary greatly based on how many numbers you match. Here are the Mega Millions odds breakdown:
| Match | Odds |
|---|---|
| 5 Main + Mega Ball | 1 in 302,575,350 |
| 5 Main only | 1 in 12,607,306 |
| 4 Main + Mega Ball | 1 in 931,001 |
| 4 Main only | 1 in 38,792 |
| 3 Main + Mega Ball | 1 in 14,547 |
| 3 Main only | 1 in 606 |
| 2 Main + Mega Ball | 1 in 721 |
| 1 Main + Mega Ball | 1 in 89 |
| 0 Main + Mega Ball | 1 in 37 |
As you can see, matching all 6 numbers has astronomical odds. But matching even 2 or 3 numbers comes with decent odds and can still win smaller prizes. The overall 1 in 24 odds come from the fact there are 9 prize divisions in Mega Millions.
Check Past Results
Want to see previous Mega Millions results and winning number history? You can easily look up past drawings at:
- MegaMillions.com results page
- Michigan Lottery results page
- Third-party lottery sites like LotteryUSA.com
These pages let you view a history of winning numbers going back many years. Some also show additional stats like most common and least common numbers, number pairs, number groups, and other data.
Deciphering Results
When checking Mega Millions results online, here is how to decipher the numbers and other info:
- “White balls”: The first 5 main numbers
- “Mega ball”: The last Mega Ball number
- “Megaplier”: The Megaplier number if Megaplier was played
- “Jackpot”: The current estimated jackpot up for grabs
- “Cash Option”: The cash value if you take a one-time lump sum payment on the jackpot
- “Next Jackpot”: The estimated jackpot for the next drawing if nobody wins
- “Next Drawing”: The date, time, and days/hours/minutes until the next drawing
You can also expand the results to show in-depth prize payouts for each tier based on that draw’s ticket sales and number matches. This helps you estimate winnings if you match part of the winning numbers.
Winning Strategies
There is no guaranteed way to win the Mega Millions jackpot. The drawings are completely random. However, some strategies can potentially improve your odds and chances of winning smaller prizes:
- Buy multiple tickets – More tickets equals more number coverage
- Try different number combinations – Don’t use the same sets of numbers every time
- Use number wheeling systems – Strategically combine and play groups of numbers
- Focus on the Mega Ball – It repeats more often than the main numbers
- Go with hot numbers – Track frequently drawn winning numbers
- Go with overdue numbers – Track numbers that haven’t hit in a long time
There are many lottery wheeling systems and other number-picking strategies out there. While they can’t guarantee a jackpot win, they can boost your chances of taking home smaller prize amounts.
Claiming Prizes
If you are lucky enough to win a Mega Millions prize in Michigan, here is how to claim:
- Prizes under $600 can be claimed at any authorized Michigan Lottery retailer.
- Prizes over $600 must be claimed at a Michigan lottery office.
- Jackpot and grand prize claims must be made at lottery headquarters in Lansing.
- You will need to complete a claim form and show valid photo ID.
- Online prize claims may require addition verification based on amount.
- Tickets expire 1 year from the drawing date, so claim promptly.
Remember that Michigan requires your personal info to be made public if you win a Mega Millions prize over $10,000. Also note the cash option for large prizes is subject to federal and state taxes.
Forming a Lottery Pool
One popular way to play Mega Millions is to form a lottery pool or syndicate. This allows a group of people to purchase a large amount of tickets and share in any prizes won. Some tips for forming a Mega Millions lottery pool:
- Find a group of trusted people to join the pool.
- Make a formal agreement spelling out costs, duties, and prize sharing.
- Designate a pool captain to organize purchases and claims.
- Have an attorney review the agreement for legality.
- Only play with discretionary income, not rent or grocery money.
- Be cautious about joining office or stranger lottery pools.
Lottery pools allow players to buy a large quantity of tickets for a relatively low cost per person. This can greatly increase your odds of winning, even if the prizes must be split. But make sure to create a binding lottery pool agreement upfront to avoid issues later on.
History & Background
Some quick facts about the history and background of the Mega Millions lottery:
- Originated as The Big Game in 1996 with 6 states.
- Renamed Mega Millions in 2002.
- Uses 2 pools of numbers: 1-70 and 1-25.
- Players pick 5 numbers from the 1st pool and 1 from 2nd.
- Minimum starting jackpot raised to $40 million in 2013.
- Current record jackpot of $1.537 billion won on October 23, 2018.
- 2nd largest jackpot of $1.05 billion won on January 22, 2021.
- 3rd largest jackpot of $656 million won on March 30, 2012.
- Has created over 675 jackpot winners since 1996.
- Has awarded over $85 billion in total prizes since 1996.
Mega Millions has grown tremendously since its early beginnings into one of the biggest multi-state jackpot games in the U.S. It continues to award life-changing jackpots to lucky winners across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What days are the Mega Millions drawings?
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11 p.m. ET.
What channel is the Mega Millions drawing on?
There is no national Mega Millions channel. But local television stations in each state air the drawings, usually shortly before or after their local 11 p.m. news broadcast.
What happens if no one wins Mega Millions?
If there are no jackpot winners, the Mega Millions jackpot keeps rolling over and growing bigger for the next drawing. This continues until there is finally a jackpot winner.
What is the biggest Mega Millions jackpot ever?
The current Mega Millions record is a $1.537 billion jackpot won in South Carolina on October 23, 2018.
Has anyone won the Mega Millions twice?
In the entire history of Mega Millions, only 2 people have won the jackpot more than once. Both were repeat winners in 2014.
What are the last winning Mega Millions numbers?
The latest Mega Millions drawing was on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. The winning numbers were 8, 17, 51, 57, and 70 with a Mega Ball of 7.
Where does the Mega Millions money come from?
Mega Millions ticket sales fund all prizes. 50% of sales go to prizes, 35% to state funds, 12% to operating expenses, and 3% to retailers.
Are Mega Millions rigged?
No, the Mega Millions drawings use certified random number generators that make each drawing outcome completely random and impossible to rig or predict.
Conclusion
In summary, there are numerous ways to watch the Mega Millions drawings live in Michigan, including on local TV stations, websites like MegaMillions.com, apps, and more. You can also easily find the winning numbers online after the drawing. Mega Millions tickets can be purchased in-person at authorized retailers or online via the Michigan Lottery. Strategies like buying multiple tickets and joining a lottery pool can improve your odds. But in the end, the numbered balls drawn are completely random, so a little bit of luck goes a long way towards winning a Mega Millions prize or jackpot in Michigan! Be sure to responsibly play the next Mega Millions drawing within your budget for a chance to win.
