History of Mega Millions in Timeline
Mega Millions is a multi-state American lottery game that began on September 6, 1996, initially involving six states. As of June 2023, it's available in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A second weekly drawing was added in 1998. The game rebranded to Mega Millions in 2002. Its logo features a gold ball with six stars, symbolizing the original participating states.
August 31, 1996: First Tickets Sold
On August 31, 1996, tickets for The Big Game (later Mega Millions) began to be sold in Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Virginia.
September 6, 1996: First Mega Millions Drawing
On September 6, 1996, the first drawing of The Big Game, later known as Mega Millions, took place. Six states participated: Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
1996: Georgia Lottery's MUSL Membership
In 1996, the Georgia Lottery was a member of MUSL and wanted to sell both games, but was forcibly removed shortly after.
February 1998: Addition of Tuesday Drawing
In February 1998, a Tuesday drawing was added to The Big Game after the game experienced growth in 1997.
January 1999: Cash Option Introduced
Beginning in January 1999, Mega Millions jackpot winners were given the option to receive their prize in cash instead of annuity payments.
May 1999: New Jersey Joins The Big Game
In May 1999, New Jersey joined The Big Game, becoming the only new jurisdiction to participate before the game was renamed Mega Millions in 2002.
May 15, 2002: Ohio and New York Join and Renaming
On May 15, 2002, Ohio and New York joined The Big Game consortium, and the game was temporarily renamed The Big Game Mega Millions. The "Big Money Ball" became the "Mega Ball".
September 2002: Washington Joins Mega Millions
In September 2002, Washington became one of the first three lotteries to join Mega Millions after the name change.
2002: The Big Game Becomes Mega Millions
The Big Game was renamed to Mega Millions in 2002, marking a significant change in the lottery's history.
2002: First Mega Millions Drawing
The first (The Big Game) Mega Millions drawing was held in 2002, transitioning from the original "The Big Game" lottery.
February 2003: Logo Update
In February 2003, the yellow ball in the Mega Millions logo, which continued to read "The Big Game", was replaced with six stars representing the original members of the consortium.
December 30, 2003: Elecia Battle Claims to have Lost Winning Ticket
On December 30, 2003, Elecia Battle claimed that she had lost the winning ticket in the Mega Millions drawing.
January 2004: Elecia Battle Admits to False Claim of Losing Winning Ticket
In January 2004, Elecia Battle admitted to falsely claiming she had lost the winning ticket from the December 30, 2003, Mega Millions drawing. She was charged with filing a false police report and faced penalties, including a fine and community service.
June 24, 2005: Drawing in Hollywood
On June 24, 2005, the Mega Millions drawing to commemorate California joining the lottery was held in Hollywood, with Carrie Underwood assisting host Glenn Burns for the drawing.
November 15, 2005: "The Lucky 7" Wins Jackpot
On November 15, 2005, a group called "The Lucky 7" held the only jackpot-winning Mega Millions ticket, purchased in Anaheim, California, winning $315 million. They chose the cash option, splitting $175 million before tax was withheld.
2005: California Joins Mega Millions
California joined Mega Millions in 2005 and was the last addition to the game before the cross-sell expansion of 2010.
2005: Mega Millions Targeted in Mailing Scam
In 2005, Mega Millions was the target of a mailing scam where a letter bearing the Mega Millions logo was used to trick people into providing personal financial information by cashing bogus checks.
July 1, 2006: New Jersey Lottery Shutdown Due to Budget Impasse
On July 1, 2006, due to a budget impasse and the 2006 New Jersey Government shutdown, the New Jersey Lottery was temporarily closed, preventing Mega Millions from being played in New Jersey.
March 6, 2007: Mega Millions Jackpot Reaches $390 Million
On March 6, 2007, the Mega Millions jackpot reached $390 million, which was then the third-largest jackpot in U.S. history. The jackpot was shared by two tickets.
2007: $31 Million Prize Went Unclaimed in New York
In 2007, a $31 million Mega Millions prize went unclaimed in New York. Additionally, numerous prizes of $250,000 each went unclaimed, including several in Michigan for 2007 drawings.
2008: Drawings Emceed by Georgia Lottery Hosts
Since 2008, the Mega Millions drawings have been emceed by the hosts of the Georgia Lottery drawings John Crow and Carol Blackmon. Glenn Burns of WSB-TV was the original host.
October 13, 2009: Mega Millions and Powerball Agreement
On October 13, 2009, the Mega Millions consortium and Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) reached an agreement to cross-sell Mega Millions and Powerball in American lottery jurisdictions.
October 2009: Agreement Between Mega Millions and MUSL
In October 2009, an agreement between Mega Millions and MUSL allowed all U.S. lotteries, including New Jersey's, to offer both games.
January 31, 2010: Cross-Selling Expansion Begins
On January 31, 2010, the cross-selling expansion of Mega Millions and Powerball occurred. 23 Powerball members began selling Mega Millions tickets for their first drawing on February 2, 2010, and 10 Mega Millions members began selling Powerball tickets for their first drawing the next day.
February 2, 2010: Powerball Members Sell Mega Millions Tickets
On February 2, 2010, as part of the cross-selling expansion, 23 Powerball members began selling Mega Millions tickets for their first drawing.
March 1, 2010: Montana Joins Mega Millions
On March 1, 2010, Montana became the first jurisdiction to add either Mega Millions or Powerball after the cross-sell expansion.
March 13, 2010: New Jersey Wins Powerball Jackpot
On March 13, 2010, New Jersey became the first Mega Millions participant (just before the cross-sell expansion) to produce a jackpot-winning ticket for Powerball, worth over $211 million annuity.
March 20, 2010: Nebraska Joins Mega Millions
On March 20, 2010, Nebraska joined Mega Millions after the cross-sell expansion.
March 28, 2010: Oregon Joins Mega Millions
On March 28, 2010, Oregon joined Mega Millions after the cross-sell expansion.
April 16, 2010: Ohio Joins Powerball
On April 16, 2010, Ohio officially joined Powerball, expanding the reach of that lottery after the cross-selling agreement between Mega Millions and MUSL.
April 18, 2010: Arizona Joins Mega Millions
On April 18, 2010, Arizona joined Mega Millions after the cross-sell expansion.
May 9, 2010: Maine Joins Mega Millions
On May 9, 2010, Maine joined Mega Millions after the cross-sell expansion.
May 16, 2010: Colorado and South Dakota Join Mega Millions
On May 16, 2010, Colorado and South Dakota joined Mega Millions after the cross-sell expansion.
May 28, 2010: North Carolina Wins Mega Millions Jackpot
On May 28, 2010, North Carolina became the first Powerball member (just before the cross-selling expansion) to produce a jackpot-winning Mega Millions ticket, with an annuity jackpot of $12 million.
September 12, 2010: Increased Prize with Megaplier
Beginning September 12, 2010, Mega Millions tickets bought with the Megaplier option automatically won $1 million (instead of $250,000) if the five white balls were matched but the Mega Ball was not.
October 2010: U.S. Virgin Islands Joins Mega Millions
In October 2010, the U.S. Virgin Islands joined Mega Millions, further extending the game's availability.
2010: Georgia Lottery Returns to MUSL
In 2010, the Georgia Lottery returned to MUSL with the cross-selling expansion of Mega Millions and Powerball.
January 4, 2011: Mega Millions Drawing Similar to "The Numbers" from Lost
On January 4, 2011, the Mega Millions drawing drew attention due to its similarity to "The Numbers" from the TV show Lost. The first three numbers (4, 8, 15) and mega ball (42) matched the sequence used in the show. Players who played "The Numbers" won $150 in a non-Megaplier game and $600 with the multiplier.
January 2011: Megaplier Available to All
By January 2011, all Mega Millions lotteries, except for California, offered the Megaplier, which was initially available only in Texas when Texas joined in 2003.
January 2011: Megaplier Expansion
In January 2011, the Megaplier was made available to all Mega Millions jurisdictions as an add-on which cost an extra $1 per play. It began as an option available only in Texas.
July 1, 2011: Minnesota Lottery Shutdown
A similar shutdown to what happened in New Jersey in 2006, happened in Minnesota on July 1, 2011.
November 2011: Louisiana Joins Mega Millions
In November 2011, Louisiana joined Mega Millions, marking another addition to the game's participating states.
November 16, 2011: Louisiana Joins Mega Millions
On November 16, 2011, Louisiana joined Mega Millions. Louisiana's decision to join Mega Millions was due in large part to the Powerball price increase.
January 2012: Powerball Price Increase
In January 2012, Mega Millions' rival Powerball was altered, and one of the changes included a price increase of $1 for each play, as a result, a base game cost $2, or $3 with the Power Play option.
January 24, 2012: Previous Mega Millions Jackpot Win
Prior to the March 30, 2012 drawing, the previous Mega Millions jackpot was won on January 24, 2012. At least $1.5 billion was spent on Mega Millions tickets for drawings following this win.
March 30, 2012: Mega Millions Jackpot Reaches $640 Million
On March 30, 2012, the Mega Millions jackpot reached $640 million (annuitized) or $462 million (cash value) and was drawn. Ticket sales pushed the jackpot values higher after a previous estimate of $476 million (later $500 million and then $540 million). Three jackpot-winning tickets were confirmed in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland.
May 15, 2013: Florida Joins Mega Millions
On May 15, 2013, Florida officially joined Mega Millions, expanding the game's reach. The first drawing to include tickets bought in Florida was two days later.
May 2013: Florida Joins Mega Millions
In May 2013, Florida joined Mega Millions, expanding the game's reach to another state.
October 18, 2013: Final 5/56 + 1/46 Drawing
On October 18, 2013, the final Mega Millions drawing under the 5/56 + 1/46 format was held, and the jackpot of $37 million was not won.
October 19, 2013: Odds of Winning Mega Millions
From October 19, 2013, to October 27, 2017, the odds of winning or sharing a Mega Millions jackpot were one in about 258.9 million.
October 22, 2013: First 5/75 + 1/15 Drawing
On October 22, 2013, the first Mega Millions drawing under the revised 5/75 + 1/15 format occurred. The jackpot estimate "leapt" to $55 million due to the change in the annuity structure.
December 17, 2013: Eighth-Largest Mega Millions Jackpot Won
On December 17, 2013, the eighth-largest Mega Millions jackpot of $648 million was won. Two winning tickets were sold, one each from California and Georgia.
2013: Wyoming Establishes Lottery
In 2013, Wyoming became the 44th state to establish a lottery, later offering both Mega Millions and Powerball.
January 3, 2014: California Ticket Holder Claimed Prize
On January 3, 2014, the holder of the California ticket from the December 17, 2013, drawing claimed their share of the $648 million jackpot.
2014: Mega Millions Drawings Removed from WGN America
In late 2014, Mega Millions drawings were removed from WGN America when it ceased carrying WGN's newscasts. Before the January 31, 2010, cross-sell expansion, Mega Millions drawings were simulcast on WGN America nationally following WGN's 9:00 p.m. Central Time newscast, making it the only multi-jurisdictional lottery drawing carried nationally.
July 8, 2016: Tenth-Largest Mega Millions Jackpot Won
On July 8, 2016, the tenth-largest Mega Millions jackpot, worth $540 million, was won by a ticket from Indiana. The winner chose the cash option.
October 27, 2017: Odds of Winning Mega Millions
From October 19, 2013, to October 27, 2017, the odds of winning or sharing a Mega Millions jackpot were one in about 258.9 million.
October 28, 2017: Previous Mega Millions Format
Mega Millions' previous format began on October 28, 2017; its first drawing was three days later. In that version, five white balls were drawn from a pool of 70, and one gold-colored "MegaBall" was drawn from a separate pool of 24; a player had to match all six numbers to win the jackpot.
October 31, 2017: First Drawing Under New Price Point
On October 31, 2017, the first Mega Millions drawing under the new $2 price point occurred. The double matrix changed from 5/75 + 1/15 to the current 5/70 + 1/25, and the starting jackpot became $40 million.
2017: Mega Millions Price Remains Unchanged
In 2017, the price of a Mega Millions play remained the same, while Powerball increased its price in 2012.
March 30, 2018: Eleventh-Largest Mega Millions Jackpot Won in New Jersey
On March 30, 2018, the eleventh-largest Mega Millions jackpot, worth $533 million, was won by a ticket from New Jersey. The winning ticket was sold at Riverdale Lukoil South Gas Station.
July 24, 2018: Ninth-Largest Jackpot Drawing
On July 24, 2018, the Mega Millions drawing produced the ninth-largest jackpot, with an annuity value of $543 million. The 11 co-workers at a Wells Fargo branch in San Jose who held the winning ticket chose to split the $320 million cash lump sum.
August 2018: Mississippi Lottery Bill Passed
In August 2018, a bill establishing a lottery in Mississippi was passed and sent to the governor for signature.
October 23, 2018: Second-Largest Mega Millions Jackpot Won in South Carolina
On October 23, 2018, the second-largest Mega Millions jackpot, amounting to $1.537 billion, was won by a single ticket sold in South Carolina.
March 5, 2019: Jackpot Claimed by Anonymous Winner
On March 5, 2019, the $1.537 billion Mega Millions jackpot from October 23, 2018, was claimed in South Carolina. The winner chose to remain anonymous, as permitted by South Carolina law.
November 25, 2019: Mississippi Lottery Begins Operations
The Mississippi lottery began operations on November 25, 2019, eventually leading to the state joining Mega Millions.
2019: Mississippi Lottery Begins
In 2019, Mississippi began selling lottery tickets, paving the way for the state to join Mega Millions in 2020.
January 2020: Mega Millions and Powerball Availability
As of January 2020, 47 lotteries were offering both Mega Millions and Powerball.
January 2020: No Jackpot Winner from Just the Jackpot Wager
As of January 2020, there hadn't been a jackpot winner from a "Just the Jackpot" wager in Mega Millions. The number of such wagers that might have won the second prize with a traditional play remained unknown.
January 30, 2020: Mississippi Joins Mega Millions
Mississippi, which began selling lottery tickets in 2019, officially joined Mega Millions on January 30, 2020.
April 7, 2020: Mega Millions Reset Starting Jackpot Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
On April 7, 2020, Mega Millions temporarily reset its starting jackpot from $40 million to $20 million, with at least a $2 million rollover for each drawing without a jackpot winner. This change was in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, aiming to promote social distancing and account for lower interest rates.
May 11, 2022: Incorrect Mega Ball Number Called During Drawing
On May 11, 2022, during a Mega Millions drawing, Crow incorrectly called the mega ball number as "6" instead of the actual "9". The New York Lottery paid $5,538 to customers before discovering the error.
July 29, 2022: Fourth-Largest Mega Millions Jackpot Won in Illinois
On July 29, 2022, the fourth-largest Mega Millions jackpot, valued at $1.34 billion, was won by a ticket sold in Illinois.
2022: Adria Wofford Replaces Sabrina Cupit as Secondary Host
In 2022, Adria Wofford replaced Sabrina Cupit as the secondary host for Mega Millions drawings when neither John Crow nor Carol Blackmon were available.
January 13, 2023: Third-Largest Mega Millions Jackpot Won in Maine
On January 13, 2023, the third-largest Mega Millions jackpot, worth $1.35 billion, was won with a ticket sold in Maine. This marked the first time a jackpot ticket was sold in that state.
June 30, 2023: Mega Millions Availability
As of June 30, 2023, Mega Millions is offered in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
August 8, 2023: Largest Mega Millions Jackpot Won in Florida
On August 8, 2023, Mega Millions' largest jackpot of $1.602 billion was won in Neptune Beach, Florida. The winning ticket was sold at Publix, and the winner chose the cash option of $794.2 million.
2023: Wofford Promoted to Co-Host
In 2023, Adria Wofford was promoted to co-host of the Mega Millions drawings, serving alongside John Crow, while Carol Blackmon became the back-up host if neither primary host was available.
March 26, 2024: Sixth-Largest Mega Millions Jackpot Won in New Jersey
On March 26, 2024, the sixth-largest Mega Millions jackpot, worth $1.13 billion, was won by a ticket sold in New Jersey.
October 7, 2024: Mega Millions Announces New Format
On October 7, 2024, Mega Millions announced a new format, set to take effect on April 5, 2025, for the April 8, 2025 drawing, introducing a $5 play cost with Megaplier included, a 10x Megaplier multiplier, an increased starting jackpot of $50 million, and one less Mega Ball.
December 27, 2024: Fifth-Largest Mega Millions Jackpot Won in California
On December 27, 2024, the fifth-largest Mega Millions jackpot, worth $1.22 billion, was won following the drawing. The winning ticket was sold in Cottonwood, California. In addition, five other tickets won the secondary prize, including two in California, one in Arizona, one in Texas, and one in Missouri.
April 5, 2025: New Mega Millions Regulations
On April 5, 2025, new regulations for Mega Millions will begin, with the first drawing planned for April 8. The minimum advertised jackpot is set at $50 million, paid in 30 graduated yearly installments, increasing 5% each year, unless the cash option is chosen.
April 8, 2025: Effective Date of the New Mega Millions Format
On April 8, 2025, the new Mega Millions format that was announced on October 7, 2024, officially took effect. The new format included plays costing $5, the Megaplier included in the cost and built into each play, the Megaplier receiving a 10x multiplier, the starting jackpot increasing from $20 million to $50 million, and the matrix featuring one less Mega Ball.
April 2025: New Mega Millions Format
In April 2025, a new Mega Millions format is set to begin, with plays costing $5 per game and an attached, randomly-generated Megaplier value that multiplies non-jackpot prizes. Multipliers are 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10.
April 2025: Possible Scrapping of Just the Jackpot After Format Changes
In April 2025, format changes were made to Mega Millions, and it remained unclear whether the "Just the Jackpot" wager option was discontinued following these changes.
April 2025: Mega Plier Changes
In April 2025, with the Mega Millions format change, the 10X multiplier was introduced to the Megaplier. Prior to this, the Megaplier could be activated by adding $1 to a basic Mega Millions game for a $3 purchase. Before April 2025 the Megaplier was drawn by the Texas Lottery, who before the cross-sell expansion on January 31, 2010 was the only lottery to offer Megaplier.
April 2025: Megaplier Introduced in California
In California, before the April 2025 format changes, prize levels were paid on a parimutuel basis, rather than the fixed lower-tier amounts for winners in other Mega Millions jurisdictions. California's second prize is a "secondary jackpot", and its payout sometimes exceeds $1 million cash, even though California did not offer the Megaplier until the April 2025 format changes.
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