The Mega Millions lottery is one of the two biggest multi-state lottery games in the United States, along with Powerball. Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The minimum Mega Millions jackpot starts at $40 million and increases by at least $5 million each draw if there is no jackpot winner. The largest Mega Millions jackpot to date was $1.537 billion, won in South Carolina on October 23, 2018.
Washington State joined Mega Millions in January 2010. Since then, there have been several big Mega Millions winners from Washington. The current Mega Millions jackpot for the next drawing on Tuesday, October 18 is an estimated $494 million ($248.7 million cash option). Let’s take a closer look at Mega Millions in Washington State and find out how much it costs to play.
Mega Millions Game Overview
Mega Millions is drawn every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11:00 pm Eastern Time. To play, you pick five main numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. The cost is $2 per play. You can multiply your non-jackpot winnings up to 5 times with the Megaplier option for an additional $1 per play.
To win the Mega Millions jackpot, you must match all five main numbers plus the Mega Ball number. The overall odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350. The jackpot starts at $40 million and grows based on game sales and rolls over if no one wins it.
There are also eight additional prize tiers in Mega Millions:
- Match 5 Main Numbers – $1,000,000
- Match 4 Main Numbers + Mega Ball – $10,000
- Match 4 Main Numbers – $500
- Match 3 Main Numbers + Mega Ball – $200
- Match 3 Main Numbers – $10
- Match 2 Main Numbers + Mega Ball – $10
- Match 1 Main Number + Mega Ball – $4
- Match Mega Ball Only – $2
Drawings are held at WSB-TV studios in Atlanta, Georgia and are live streamed online at the Mega Millions website.
Mega Millions in Washington State
The Washington State Lottery began offering Mega Millions tickets on January 31, 2010, becoming the 42nd state to join the game. Mega Millions replaced Washington’s own lotto game, The Big Game, which was discontinued.
Mega Millions tickets in Washington cost $2 per play. You can add the Megaplier feature for an extra $1 per play to multiply your lower-tier winnings. Tickets can be purchased at over 3,200 retailer locations across the state. Drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 8:00 pm Pacific Time in Washington.
Mega Millions sales in Washington State average around $3 million per week. About 63% of sales goes towards prizes, while the remainder funds public programs in Washington.
Some notable Mega Millions wins in Washington:
- In December 2019, a Seattle man won $1 million after matching the first 5 numbers.
- In April 2014, an Ocean Shores couple won $1 million after matching the first 5 numbers.
- In December 2013, two tickets sold in Olympia and Pullman won $1 million each.
- In March 2012, a Tacoma woman won $1 million after matching the first 5 numbers.
While the Mega Millions jackpot has yet to be won in Washington, local players have claimed over $60 million in total prizes since 2010.
Buying Mega Millions Tickets in Washington
You must be at least 18 years old to play Mega Millions in Washington. Tickets may be purchased at any Washington Lottery retailer, which include grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and pharmacies. You can also purchase tickets online at the Washington Lottery website if you are located in the state at the time of purchase.
When buying a ticket in person, you can choose your own numbers by using a playslip or you can do a quick pick and have the terminal randomly select the numbers for you. To use a playslip, mark five numbers from 1 to 70 in the upper portion and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25 in the lower portion. Each play costs $2, and you can play up to 10 drawings in advance.
To add the Megaplier option, mark the Megaplier box on your playslip or request it from the retailer. This will multiply any non-jackpot prizes you win, excluding the Match 5 prize, by the Megaplier number drawn that evening, which is 2x, 3x, 4x or 5x.
You can buy single tickets with one set of numbers or do multiple plays on one ticket. When purchasing online, you can also take advantage of advanced features like subscriptions to automatically buy tickets for future draws and group play options.
Make sure to sign the back of your ticket after purchase and keep it safe until the drawing occurs. If your numbers match the winning numbers, you’ll need to fill out a claim form and supply valid photo ID to collect your prize. Prizes can be claimed at any Washington Lottery office or by mail.
Facts About Washington Mega Millions
Here are some key facts about playing Mega Millions in Washington State:
- Joined Mega Millions: January 31, 2010
- Ticket price: $2 per play
- Megaplier addon: Extra $1 per play
- Drawings held: Tuesdays and Fridays at 8:00 pm PT
- Games can be played up to 10 draws in advance
- State takes no cut of jackpot amount
- Prizes up to $600 can be claimed at any lottery retailer
- Tickets sold 2020: Over $156 million
- Total prizes won by WA players: Over $60 million
Some additional things to note:
- There is no state tax on lottery winnings in Washington.
- Tickets must be purchased and players must be physically in Washington State.
- Powerball is also available in Washington, with separate drawings.
- Unclaimed Mega Millions prizes in WA go to the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account.
- The minimum jackpot is $40 million, the maximum jackpot is unlimited.
- The largest Mega Millions jackpot won in Washington is $380,000.
So in summary, Mega Millions tickets cost $2 per play in Washington State, with an extra $1 if you add Megaplier. Tickets can be bought at lottery retailers or online. Drawings take place at 8:00 pm PT on Tuesdays and Fridays. Mega Millions has created several millionaires in Washington since 2010.
Biggest Mega Millions Jackpots
Here is a look at the top 10 biggest jackpots in Mega Millions history:
| Rank | Date | Winning Numbers | Jackpot | Winner Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10/23/2018 | 5, 28, 62, 65, 70 MB: 5 | $1.537 billion | South Carolina |
| 2 | 1/22/2021 | 10, 19, 26, 28, 50 MB: 16 | $1.050 billion | Michigan |
| 3 | 7/29/2022 | 13, 36, 45, 57, 67 MB: 14 | $1.337 billion | Illinois |
| 4 | 3/30/2012 | 2, 4, 23, 38, 46 MB: 23 | $656 million | Kansas, Illinois, Maryland |
| 5 | 12/17/2013 | 8, 14, 17, 20, 39 MB: 7 | $648 million | California, Georgia |
| 6 | 7/8/2016 | 8, 19, 20, 55, 73 MB: 5 | $536 million | Indiana |
| 7 | 3/5/2019 | 24, 25, 27, 44, 50 MB: 24 | $543 million | New Jersey |
| 8 | 4/15/2011 | 9, 18, 41, 42, 51 MB: 8 | $543 million | New York |
| 9 | 5/18/2018 | 2, 21, 45, 53, 56 MB: 21 | $533 million | New Jersey |
| 10 | 3/19/2019 | 32, 41, 47, 62, 66 MB: 25 | $521 million | Tennessee |
As you can see, Mega Millions has created billionaires and multi-millionaires over the years. However, the odds of winning the jackpot is still around 1 in 300 million. No one has won the current $494 million jackpot, so it will continue growing until there is a winner.
Strategies for Playing Mega Millions
While winning the Mega Millions jackpot comes down to incredible luck, there are some strategies players use to try to improve their odds:
- Buy more tickets – This gives you more number combinations and chances to win.
- Pool your money – Join an office or group pool to afford more tickets.
- Pick uncommon numbers – Avoid obvious patterns or significant dates.
- Mix high and low numbers – Use a balance of numbers across the 1-70 range.
- Buy Megaplier – Spend the extra $1 for bigger non-jackpot prizes.
- Check your tickets – Make sure you don’t miss any smaller prize wins.
- Play consistently – Don’t just play sporadically when the jackpot is high.
- Use quick pick – Some players think random numbers have better odds.
However, at the end of the day, Mega Millions results are completely random. There is no guaranteed way to win the jackpot. Having fun and dreaming big are part of the excitement of playing the Mega Millions lottery!
How Mega Millions Proceeds Are Used in Washington
In Washington State, Mega Millions ticket sales are split as follows:
- 63% goes to prizes
- 24.5% goes to the state for public programs
- 12.5% goes to retailer commissions and game administration
None of the proceeds in Washington go towards education, unlike many other state lotteries. By law, all lottery revenue in WA must go into the state General Fund. From there, the State Legislature allocates the money to a variety of programs and services.
Some of the key beneficiaries of Mega Millions and other lottery proceeds in Washington include:
- Problem gambling programs
- Community health clinics
- State parks
- Early childhood education
- College scholarships
- construction projects
- And more
In Fiscal Year 2021, the lottery generated over $198 million for services across Washington State. While no funds go directly to education, lottery money does help support many important programs that benefit communities statewide.
The Future of Mega Millions in Washington
Mega Millions has been a popular draw game addition to the Washington Lottery lineup since 2010. With two giant jackpots paid out in 2022, interest in the game is as high as ever across the country.
Mega Millions is likely here to stay in Washington State for the foreseeable future. Multi-state lottery games bring in significant revenue for state programs. And who doesn’t love imagining what they’d do with a nine or ten figure lottery jackpot?
Looking ahead, we can expect to see more changes to Mega Millions to keep the game exciting for players:
- Additional Megaplier prize multipliers (already increased from 2x to 5x)
- Third weekly drawing added to increase jackpots
- Higher starting jackpot amounts
- Larger overall prize pools
Big jackpots will continue driving ticket sales. With Mega Millions expanding to more states and lottery groups seeking new ways to increase engagement, mega jackpot fever will stay strong in Washington and across the country.
For now, all eyes are on the next Mega Millions drawing on October 18, 2022 with an estimated $494 million jackpot up for grabs. Will the big winner come from Washington this time? Only time will tell!
Conclusion
Playing Mega Millions in Washington State is easy and fun. Tickets cost $2, with the Megaplier addon available for an extra $1 per ticket. Twice-weekly drawings take place on Tuesdays and Fridays at 8:00pm local time. Mega Millions jackpots start at $40 million and can grow to staggering amounts, as Washington players have seen in recent drawings this year.
While winning the jackpot is a very long shot, Mega Millions players in Washington have claimed over $60 million in prizes since the state joined the game in 2010. Mega Millions proceeds support vital state programs and projects across Washington. With giant jackpots and exciting changes ahead, Mega Millions mania will continue generating big dreams and winners in Washington State. Check those tickets – you never know when the next multi-millionaire in WA might just be you!
