No one won the Mega Millions jackpot on Friday, July 29th, 2022. The jackpot had grown to an estimated $1.28 billion, making it the second largest Mega Millions jackpot in history. With no ticket matching all 6 numbers drawn, the jackpot rolled over to the next drawing on Tuesday, August 2nd.
While the huge prize went unclaimed, there were some smaller wins on the July 29th draw. Two tickets matched the 5 white balls to win $1 million each. One was sold in Florida and the other in New Jersey. Three tickets matched 4 white balls plus the Mega Ball to win $10,000 each. Overall, more than 3.9 million tickets won prizes ranging from $2 to $1 million in the July 29th draw.
The winning numbers on Friday, July 29th were: 13-36-45-57-67 with Mega Ball 14. The Megaplier was 2x.
More on the July 29th Mega Millions Draw
The Mega Millions jackpot had been rolling over since it was last won at $20 million in Tennessee on April 15th. Strong ticket sales across all participating states helped push the jackpot to staggering heights through the summer months.
Just days before the July 29th draw, lottery officials were estimating the jackpot could potentially reach $1.7 billion. That would have set a new record for any U.S. lottery game, surpassing the previous Mega Millions record of $1.537 billion won in South Carolina in October 2018.
While the jackpot ultimately fell short of that lofty goal, it still marked only the fourth time in Mega Millions history that the top prize had exceeded $1 billion. Lottery fever had gripped the nation in the weeks and days leading up to the draw. Long lines were reported at convenience stores and other lottery retailers as people rushed to buy their tickets for a chance at the historic jackpot.
The number of total winning tickets and prizes paid out on July 29th reflects the huge number of tickets sold. Lottery officials report that more than 99% of all possible number combinations were covered for the draw. That equates to over 302 million tickets purchased at $2 each. Massive Mega Millions jackpots like this one tend to generate tremendous excitement and interest from casual, occasional and first time players dreaming of a life-changing win.
Why the Jackpot Kept Rolling Over
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are incredibly slim at just 1 in 302.6 million. To take home the top prize, players must match all 5 white balls plus the gold Mega Ball. With such long odds and so many number combinations, it’s not unusual to see the jackpot roll over many times before someone finally gets lucky and hits the jackpot.
Some key factors contributed to the repeated rollovers that swelled the jackpot over three months:
- No one managed to match all 6 numbers drawn through all the rolls leading up to July 29th. Millions of people won smaller prizes, but the jackpot remained elusive.
- Strong and growing ticket sales increased the speed at which the jackpot grew. Bigger jackpots generate more excitement and interest.
- A lack of major jackpot wins so far in 2022 meant excess funds kept accumulating in the jackpot pool.
- Changes made in 2017 increased the odds of the jackpot rolling over by making it harder to match all 6 numbers.
It’s quite common for the Mega Millions jackpot to roll over multiple times before someone wins. But the repeated rolls and massive number of tickets sold created a perfect scenario for the jackpot to reach record heights.
Changes to Mega Millions in 2017
In October 2017, Mega Millions made some changes to its structure and game rules. These changes were designed to make the game more interesting and exciting while also adjusting the odds and prizes. Some of the key changes included:
- Increased number pool – From 75 to 70 white balls making odds of 1 in 302 million
- Higher starting jackpots and minimum increases between rolls
- Introduction of Just the Jackpot wager for $3 per play
- Overall odds of winning any prize were reduced from 1 in 14 to 1 in 24
By reducing the chances of winning smaller prizes while also making it harder to match all 6 numbers for the jackpot, the changes have led to bigger and faster growing jackpots. The tradeoff is that players are less likely to win any prize at all. But for many, the excitement is in the enormous jackpots, which the revamped game delivers more frequently.
Tax Implications of Winning
While winning hundreds of millions in the lottery may seem like all upside, there are definitely tax implications to keep in mind. A Mega Millions jackpot win is considered ordinary income for tax purposes. Federal taxes of 37% will automatically be withheld from the lump sum payment. State and local taxes can add significantly to the tax bill, depending on where the winner lives.
Some strategies winners can use to potentially reduce taxes include:
- Opting for the annuity instead of the lump sum to spread out tax liability over three decades.
- Using expert tax planning and accounting to find legal deductions and shelters.
- Funding trusts and establishing anonymous entities to claim prizes in locations with no state income tax.
- Making significant charitable contributions to offset some taxable income.
After federal, state, and local taxes, the final sum that Mega Millions winners take home can be 30% to 50% less than the advertised jackpot. But that’s still plenty to dramatically change most people’s lives if managed wisely.
Noteworthy Mega Millions Jackpot Wins
Some of the biggest Mega Millions jackpots won over the history of the game include:
Date | Winning Ticket Sold In | Jackpot |
---|---|---|
October 2018 | South Carolina | $1.537 billion* |
January 2021 | Michigan | $1.050 billion |
July 2022 | Illinois | $1.337 billion |
March 2012 | Kansas, Illinois, Maryland | $656 million |
*Denotes current Mega Millions record
These enormous jackpots represent life-changing sums of money for the lucky ticket holders. Winners often opt for the lump sum payment, which for the largest Mega Millions jackpots has amounted to cash options of $877+ million before taxes. Financial experts say that type of sudden wealth allows for lavish spending but also necessitates long-term planning to sustain the windfall.
How to Play Mega Millions
Playing Mega Millions is easy. For $2 per play, players select 5 numbers from 1 to 70 plus the Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. Players can use a play slip to select their numbers or have the lottery terminal randomly select numbers for them.
To win the jackpot, players must match all 5 white balls and the Mega Ball number drawn. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24. Odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 302 million.
There are 9 prize tiers in Mega Millions ranging from $2 to the jackpot:
- Match 5 white balls + Mega Ball – Jackpot
- Match 5 white balls – $1 million
- Match 4 white balls + Mega Ball – $10,000
- Match 4 white balls – $500
- Match 3 white balls + Mega Ball – $200
- Match 3 white balls – $10
- Match 2 white balls + Mega Ball – $10
- Match 1 white ball + Mega Ball – $4
- Match Mega Ball – $2
Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11pm EST. Tickets can be purchased in 45 participating states plus the District of Columbia and U.S. Virgin Islands. Many states allow online and mobile app ticket purchases in addition to retail locations. Players must be 18 or older.
Jackpot Winners Can Remain Anonymous
Winners of massive lottery jackpots face a whole new world of fame, publicity, security concerns and long lost relatives coming out of the woodwork. Some states used to require jackpot winners to participate in press conferences and publicity tours. But over time, anonymity has become more common.
As of 2022, the following states allow Mega Millions winners to remain anonymous and avoid the public spotlight:
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Kansas
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- South Carolina
Steps winners can take to keep their identity secret include:
- Claiming prizes via an anonymous trust or LLC
- Covering faces and opting not to appear at press events
- Hiring legal and PR teams to coordinate anonymity
- Claiming prizes in states that permit anonymous wins
Lottery winners are faced with complex decisions involving publicity, privacy, security and wealth management. Remaining anonymous simplifies part of the equation.
Record Jackpots Attract Scammers
Unfortunately, record-setting lottery jackpots also attract scammers trying to take advantage of the excitement. As the July 2022 Mega Millions jackpot surpassed $1 billion, lottery officials warned of increased scam attempts leading up to the draw.
Some common Mega Millions and lottery scams include:
- Fake lottery letters or emails asking for personal info or fees to claim fake prizes
- Queries from fake “law firms” or agents offering to hold winnings for a fee
- Social media scams claiming to verify Mega Millions numbers for a fee
- Phone calls asking for bank account and Social Security numbers to confirm winnings
Protect yourself by remembering that real lotteries don’t require fees upfront to collect winnings. Never pay money or share personal information with unsolicited contacts claiming you won a prize. Only use official lottery websites and retail channels to buy tickets and verify numbers. Check directly with your state lottery to confirm any potentially legitimate notifications.
Future Outlook for Mega Millions Jackpots
While no one won the billion dollar jackpot on July 29th, excitement remains high for future Mega Millions draws. The jackpot for the Tuesday, August 2nd drawing reset to $20 million and will now start growing again.
It likely won’t be long before the jackpot reaches hundreds of millions of dollars again. Now that the $1 billion threshold has been crossed, even more players may be motivated to try their luck with Mega Millions. And another record-setting jackpot could be just around the corner.
The game’s structure makes huge jackpots possible relatively frequently. Odds of 1 in 24 of winning any prize keep interest high. And when months pass without a jackpot win, the top prize can quickly reach staggering sums again thanks to strong and growing ticket sales across participating states.
While winning Mega Millions requires tremendous luck, anyone who plays has the opportunity to dream big and potentially change their life in an instant. That universal appeal will continue driving interest in Mega Millions for years to come. And more huge jackpots exceeding $500 million and even $1 billion are undoubtedly on the horizon.
Conclusion
The Mega Millions jackpot for the July 29th, 2022 draw rolled over again after no ticket matched all 6 numbers drawn. But massive sales for the $1.28 billion jackpot led to millions of smaller prize wins as excitement reached a fever pitch. While the billion dollar prize eluded players this time, changes made in 2017 ensured the jackpot grew quickly through repeated rolls over three months. Mega Millions routinely delivers giant jackpots in excess of $500 million. And now that the $1 billion mark has been reached, lottery fever is sure to remain strong for the next record-setting jackpot. Players continue chasing the dream of instant enormous wealth – however slim the odds may be.