Biggest Mega Millions Jackpot Ever: How To Play In Illinois

ILLINOIS — Mega Millions players in Illinois are rushing to get tickets as Tuesday’s jackpot is expected to be the biggest yet, and sits at an estimated $1.55 billion.

Whether you are a frequent player or a first-time hopeful, here’s what to know about the Mega Millions draw on Tuesday in Illinois.

If an Illinois player wins the massive Mega Millions jackpot, it wouldn't be the first time — in July 2022, a $1.34 billion winning ticket was sold in Des Plaines. Two people eventually came forward to claim the winnings. In 2017, a suburban woman also won a $393 Mega Millions jackpot — which at the time was the state's largest.

Mega Millions, drawn on Tuesday and Friday, has not been won since April. Lottery officials said Monday the jackpot would be a whopping $1.55 billion.

The one-time cash payout is expected to be $757 million before taxes, which is the largest jackpot in history for this particular game. If anyone wins, it will also be the third-largest jackpot in history.

The cutoff time for purchasing a Mega Millions ticket in Illinois is 9:45 p.m., per the state lottery. A ticket costs $2, with an optional $1 “Megaplier.”

Players select 5 numbers between 1 and 70, and a Mega Ball number between 1 and 25. You can also have the lottery computer randomly select the numbers.

Lottery winners of $250,000 or more in Illinois are allowed to remain anonymous to the public if they make that request at the time of claiming their winnings.

The odds of winning the jackpot are pretty low — about 1 in 302.6 million. You have a better chance of dying in a plane crash or lightning strike. But the odds of winning smaller prizes ranging are significantly better: the odds of winning $1 million are about 1 in 12.6 million.

Mega Millions is played in 45 states, plus Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Top 10 U.S. Lottery Jackpots In History

1. $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022
2. $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016
3. $1.55 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023 (anticipated)
4. $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018
5. $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023
6. $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022
7. $1.050 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021
8. $768.4 million, Powerball, March 27, 2019
9. $758.7 million, Powerball, Aug. 23, 2017
10. $754.6 million, Powerball, Feb. 6, 2023