New Hampshire is one of the 45 U.S. states that participates in the Mega Millions lottery. Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery game that is played across most of the United States. The game began in 2002 as The Big Game and was renamed Mega Millions in May 2010. Mega Millions jackpots start at $40 million and roll over if there is no jackpot winner. Players pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers – five different numbers from 1 to 70 and one number from 1 to 25 – or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick. To win the jackpot, a ticket must match all six winning numbers in a drawing.
New Hampshire’s Participation in Mega Millions
New Hampshire has been a member of the Mega Millions consortium since the game began in 2002. At the time, the New Hampshire Lottery Commission decided to join Mega Millions to offer residents a chance to win larger jackpots. Prior to Mega Millions, New Hampshire had participated in the Tri-State Lotto with Vermont and Maine. However, the jackpots in Tri-State Lotto were significantly smaller than the potential jackpots in the multi-state Mega Millions game. So by joining Mega Millions, New Hampshire gave lottery players access to much larger prizes.
Here are some key facts about New Hampshire and Mega Millions:
- New Hampshire joined Mega Millions on May 16, 2002 when the game began.
- New Hampshire Lottery provides the option to purchase Mega Millions tickets at over 1,000 retailer locations statewide.
- Around 25% of New Hampshire Lottery’s annual revenue comes from Mega Millions sales.
- The largest Mega Millions jackpot won in New Hampshire was $10 million in 2013.
- New Hampshire lottery winners can choose to remain anonymous when claiming prizes over $10,000.
As long as the game continues, New Hampshire will likely remain a participating member of Mega Millions due to the revenue and excitement it generates.
Mega Millions Game Details
Now that we’ve established New Hampshire’s participation, let’s go over some key details about how the Mega Millions game works:
- Drawings: Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11:00 pm EST.
- How to Play: Players pick six numbers – 5 different numbers from 1 to 70 and 1 number from 1 to 25. Or players can use a Quick Pick and have the numbers randomly selected.
- Prize Levels: There are nine prize tiers based on how many numbers a player matches:
- MegaPlier: Players in New Hampshire can pay an extra $1 for the Megaplier option which multiplies non-jackpot prizes by a randomly selected factor of 2, 3, 4 or 5.
- Taxes: New Hampshire does not have state income tax so lottery winnings can be claimed tax-free. Federal taxes of 24% will still apply for prizes over $5,000.
- Anonymous Claims: For prizes over $10,000, New Hampshire allows the option to remain anonymous when claiming lottery prizes. The winner’s identity does not need to be disclosed publicly.
| Prize Level | Match | Prize Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot | All 5 numbers + Mega Ball number | Starting jackpot is $40 million |
| Match 5 | All 5 numbers | $1 million |
| Match 4 + Mega Ball | 4 numbers + Mega Ball number | $10,000 |
| Match 4 | 4 numbers | $500 |
| Match 3 + Mega Ball | 3 numbers + Mega Ball number | $200 |
| Match 3 | 3 numbers | $10 |
| Match 2 + Mega Ball | 2 numbers + Mega Ball number | $10 |
| Match 1 + Mega Ball | 1 number + Mega Ball number | $4 |
| Match 0 + Mega Ball | Mega Ball number only | $2 |
Those are the key points to understand about how Mega Millions works in New Hampshire. The same general rules apply in all 45 participating Mega Millions states.
Notable Mega Millions Wins in New Hampshire
Even though New Hampshire is a small state, there have been several sizable Mega Millions winners over the years:
- In June 2013, an anonymous winner from the town of Peterborough claimed a $10 million Mega Millions prize. This remains the largest Mega Millions jackpot won in New Hampshire to date.
- In March 2019, NH resident William Garside won $2 million after matching all five white balls in the drawing. At the time, it was New Hampshire’s 9th biggest Mega Millions prize.
- In January 2020, five public works employees from Laconia split a $1 million prize after purchasing a group ticket. Each member got a $200,000 share after taxes.
- A $10,000 prize was claimed in 2021 by John Smith of Concord. He matched four numbers plus the Mega Ball.
- In the July 22, 2022 drawing, two $10,000 winning tickets were sold in New Hampshire for matching four numbers plus the Mega Ball.
While there has yet to be a jackpot winner from New Hampshire, several residents have won sizable prizes over the years that changed their lives. With two drawings a week, more substantial wins are likely to occur.
Mega Millions Odds and Probability
The odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24. The odds of taking home the jackpot are roughly 1 in 302.6 million. Here is a breakdown of the odds for each prize level:
| Prize Level | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|
| Jackpot | 1 in 302,575,350 |
| Match 5 | 1 in 12,607,306 |
| Match 4 + MB | 1 in 931,001 |
| Match 4 | 1 in 38,792 |
| Match 3 + MB | 1 in 14,547 |
| Match 3 | 1 in 606 |
| Match 2 + MB | 1 in 693 |
| Match 1 + MB | 1 in 89 |
| Match 0 + MB | 1 in 37 |
As you can see, matching all six numbers to hit the jackpot is exceedingly rare. But the odds are more favorable for smaller prize tiers. A New Hampshire player has roughly a 1 in 38,792 chance of matching four numbers in a drawing.
How Jackpots Grow
Mega Millions jackpots start at $40 million and continue growing based on game sales and rolls without a jackpot winner. The jackpot increases by at least $5 million between drawings when it is not awarded. The pace of growth depends on a few factors:
- Rollover Count: The more draws that pass without a jackpot winner, the faster the prize grows.
- Game Sales: A portion of every $2 Mega Millions ticket sold goes towards the jackpot. Higher sales equals faster growth.
- MegaPlier Purchases: When the optional $1 Megaplier is purchased, part of the proceeds go into the jackpot pool.
- Jackpot Size: As the jackpot grows, it tends to attract more players. This in turn increases sales and accelerates the pace of growth.
Jackpots commonly surpass $100 million after 4-5 rolls without a winner. The record Mega Millions jackpot reached $1.537 billion in October 2018 after 25 consecutive rolls. But it’s important to remember that despite faster growth at higher jackpots, the odds of winning remain the same.
Jackpot Payment Options
For the life-changing Mega Millions jackpot, players have two payment options:
- Lump Sum: Take the full cash value of the jackpot prize upfront in one payment. For the current annuity-funded jackpots, the lump sum is typically 50-70% of the advertised amount.
- Annuity: Receive the full jackpot amount through annual installments over 29 years. The initial payment represents a smaller percentage, and gradual 5% annual increases account for inflation protection.
The official rules require the Mega Millions jackpot winner to select cash or annuity within 60 days of validating the winning ticket. Most financial experts recommend the lump sum, since it allows winners to invest the money based on their personal strategy and needs.
But smaller secondary prizes like $1 million Match 5 wins are automatically paid as lump sums in cash. For Mega Millions prizes under $1 million, players also do not have a payment choice in New Hampshire.
Mega Millions Revenue Distribution
In New Hampshire, Mega Millions ticket sales generated over $18 million in profit for education programs in FY 2022. Here is an overview of how Mega Millions revenue is allocated in the state:
- 61% goes to prizes (lump sums paid to winners).
- 29% goes to the state education trust fund.
- 6% goes to retailer commissions and vendor fees.
- 4% goes to operating expenses and marketing.
This breakdown means that beyond funding prizes, nearly a third of all Mega Millions sales in New Hampshire directly support schools and education initiatives. Since Mega Millions began in 2002, the game has contributed over $380 million towards these programs.
Buying Tickets in New Hampshire
Playing Mega Millions in New Hampshire is easy. Players have a few options:
- Retail Locations: Purchase tickets at over 1,000 authorized retailers across the state. Locations include gas stations, grocery stores, convenience stores, and more.
- Mobile App: Download the NH Lottery Express app to buy tickets right from your phone.
- Online: Create an account at NHlotttery.com to purchase tickets online.
- Mail: Order by mail using the Mega Millions playslip and sending an envelope to New Hampshire Lottery Headquarters.
Players must be at least 18 years old to play. Tickets can be purchased for the next available drawing up until 10:45 pm Eastern Time on drawing nights. It’s also easy to buy tickets well in advance. Players have the convenience of getting tickets online or through the app to avoid waiting in line.
Key Advantages of Mega Millions
Here are some of the main reasons New Hampshire’s participation in Mega Millions benefits the state:
- Millions in annual revenue for education programs and state causes.
- A chance at massive jackpots exceeding $500 million.
- Relatively good odds of secondary prizes from $10,000 to $1 million.
- Drawings twice a week provide frequent chances to play.
- Ticket sales support local retailers and small businesses.
- Jackpots meaningfully contribute to the economy through boosted spending.
- Excitement, engagement, and entertainment for residents.
For these reasons, Mega Millions has become a popular lottery game that’s closely tied to New Hampshire’s identity. And the state will likely continue offering Mega Millions tickets indefinitely.
The Future of Mega Millions in New Hampshire
Looking ahead, New Hampshire will certainly continue in its participation of Mega Millions for the foreseeable future. Given the mutually beneficial relationship, there are no plans for New Hampshire to leave the multi-state lottery consortium.
However, in the coming years, there could be some changes on the horizon:
- The Mega Millions consortium may approve rule and gameplay changes to drive larger jackpots and better compete with Powerball.
- New Hampshire may drive special promotions like raffle prizes during key jackpots to increase local participation.
- If other Northeast states like Maine were to join Mega Millions, New Hampshire may shift marketing strategies.
- Emerging technologies could allow for enhanced mobile betting options and payment integration.
- To stay relevant, Mega Millions may need to adapt and modernize over time to generate interest from younger players.
While the core game may remain the same, some evolutions could happen down the road. But New Hampshire residents can expect the opportunity to continue playing Mega Millions for jackpots, education funding, and entertainment.
Key Takeaways
To summarize the key points:
- New Hampshire has participated in Mega Millions since the game began in 2002.
- Winning numbers are drawn every Tuesday and Friday night.
- Jackpots start at $40 million and rollover when there is no winner.
- Players pick five numbers 1-70 and one number 1-25 to play.
- Odds of winning the jackpot are around 1 in 302 million.
- New Hampshire has had several winners over the years, but no jackpot victors yet.
- 29% of sales go to fund education programs in the state.
- Tickets can be purchased online, through the app, at retailers, or by mail.
New Hampshire residents can feel confident that participating in Mega Millions helps support good causes. And while the odds are long, there’s always a chance to win big on this exciting multi-state game.
Conclusion
New Hampshire has been included in the Mega Millions game since its inception in 2002. As one of the original members of the multi-state lottery consortium, New Hampshire provides its residents the opportunity to play Mega Millions twice a week for a chance at jackpots starting at $40 million.
While no one from New Hampshire has won the jackpot yet, there have been several winners of sizeable prizes over $1 million. Participating in Mega Millions generates millions annually for New Hampshire education programs. And relative to the population size, New Hampshirites have decent odds at secondary prizes. The state is likely to remain a Mega Millions member for the foreseeable future given the revenue benefits and added entertainment value. Overall, New Hampshire’s inclusion in Mega Millions gives players life-changing jackpot chances while responsibly funding public programs.
