Biggest Mega Millions Jackpot Ever: How To Play In Michigan

MICHIGAN — Mega Millions players in Michigan 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 Michigan.

If a Michigan player wins the massive Mega Millions jackpot, it wouldn't be the first time — in January 2021, a four-person Oakland County lottery club won the state's largest-ever jackpot, claiming the $1.05 billion prize. The winning ticket for that game was sold at a Kroger in Novi.

And while it wasn't the jackpot, a Michigan player who bought their ticket online won $2 million in Friday's Mega Millions drawing.

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 Michigan 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.

If the big prize winner is a Michigander, they won't get the gift of anonymity. Under Michigan law, players who win $10,000 or more in state-only games are allowed to remain anonymous, but can waive anonymity if they wish. But the rules of multi-state games – Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lucky For Life – allow for the names of winners to be public.

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