Highlights

Mega Millions is a multistate lottery game offered in Michigan, California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington

• Jackpots start at a guaranteed $12 million
• Eight other ways to win cash prizes
• Drawings conducted at 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday (shown on cable TV superstation WGN -- check your local listings)
• Only $1 per wager
• Jackpot increases as Mega Millions sales increase

How to Play

To start, pick 5 numbers from 1 to 56, and 1 Gold Mega Ball number from 1 to 46.

1. You can play up to 10 panels per ticket.
2. If you don't want to choose your own numbers, mark "Easy Pick" on the play slip and the computer will randomly pick your numbers.
3. When you've filled out your play slip, take it to any Michigan Lottery retailer with the amount of the wager. Your numbers will be entered in the next drawing and you will receive a game ticket.
4. ALWAYS check your play slip before giving it to the Lottery clerk. Tickets cannot be canceled after they are issued, and responsibility for accuracy of your numbers, multi-draw options and payment options rests with you, not the Lottery.
5. You can play Mega Millions for up to 60 consecutive drawings. Just mark the number of drawings you want in the multiple-draw wagers area on the play slip.

The Mega Millions pool closes at 10:45 p.m. the day of the drawing.

How To Win

Balls MATCHED	Prize	Odds to Win
+	Jackpot*	1 in 175,711,536
	$250,000	1 in 3,904,701
+	$10,000	1 in 689,065
	$150	1 in 15,313
+	$150	1 in 13,781
+	$10	1 in 844
	$7	1 in 306
+	$3	1 in 141
	$2	1 in 75
Overall odds to win: 1 in 40
*If two or more persons match 6 of 6 numbers in the same drawing, the jackpot is shared equally among all winning tickets.

Cash Option

The Michigan Lottery can pay Mega Millions jackpot winnings in one of two ways: as an annuity or in one lump-sum/cash-option payment for the present cash value of the jackpot share. When a winner selects annuity payments, the jackpot is paid out in equal installments over 26 years. When a winner selects Cash Option, the Lottery pays the winner the present cash value of the announced jackpot in one lump-sum payment. In effect, the Lottery takes all of the money that would have been invested to fund the 26-year annuity and turns it all over to the winner, retaining absolutely none of the prize.

Regardless of which option the winner selects, the Michigan Lottery is required by law to withhold estimated income taxes for federal (25 percent) and state (4.35 percent), on any prize over $5,000. These amounts are estimates only, and the winner is required to satisfy any further tax liability for the year in which the prize award is claimed.

Shared Jackpots

Each winning ticket would receive equal parts of the jackpot. Those selecting Cash Option would receive the Present Cash Value of their share.