My new niche MEGA MILLIONS

Mega Millions is a multi-state US$1 lottery game in the United States. Twelve U.S. states currently license Mega Millions as a provider of multistate lotteries in those states (29 states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands license Powerball, Mega Millions' main competitor). As of 2007, Mega Millions features jackpots of at least US$12 million, payable in 26 annual payments or a lump sum cash payout. As will be explained later, there are differences in playing Mega Millions from state to state. Mega Millions is drawn Tuesdays and Fridays.


History
Big Game logo prior to the Mega Millions name change.
Big Game logo prior to the Mega Millions name change.

Tickets went on sale in Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan and Virginia for the new lottery on August 31, 1996, then known as The Big Game. Six days later, the first drawing was held. Drawings were held weekly on Fridays until they held a Tuesday drawing on February 10, 1998. On January 13, 1999, jackpot winners had the choice to claim the prize in lump sum for the first time (however, an Illinois winner in late 1998 was allowed to receive their prize in cash.) In May 1999, New Jersey joined The Big Game.

On May 9, 2000, The Big Game offered a jackpot worth $363 million. The prize was won by two ticket holders from different states. This was the largest under its old name and was once the world's largest. This was later surpassed on February 18, 2006 by a $365 million jackpot from Powerball, the other big interstate lottery.

On April 16, 2002, the last Big Game jackpot was won. This prize was worth $331 million and there were 3 winners. On May 14 that year, The Big Game held its last drawing.

New York and Ohio joined the Big Game on May 15, 2002. This was when the game was changed to its current name, Mega Millions. Also, the "Big Money Ball" changed its name to the "Mega Ball." After its name change to "Mega Millions" from "The Big Game," the yellow ball in the logo of the Mega Millions read "The Big Game." The first Mega Millions drawing was held on May 17, 2002. Three more states later joined: Washington (also in 2002); Texas (2003), and California (2005).

After rolling over 15 times, Mega Millions offered a jackpot $390 million on March 6, 2007. This set a new world record for the largest jackpot, returning the title to Mega Millions after being held briefly by Powerball. There were two winners in the $390 million draw, one each from Georgia and New Jersey.

[edit] Playing the game

As of 2007, to play the game, a player picks five numbers from 1 to 56 (white balls) and one additional number from 1 to 46 (the Mega Ball number, a yellow ball); each selection of six numbers costs $1. The Mega Ball number can be a duplicate of one of the white ball numbers, since the balls are drawn from separate machines. In Georgia, New Jersey, New York, and Texas, the player must also choose, in advance, whether they wish to collect a jackpot in lump sum or annuity. Georgia and New Jersey winners can change an annuity ticket to cash; however, the choice is binding in New York and Texas. Tickets may be obtained from either retail locations, or by mail in select states (currently, only Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Virginia offer subscriptions by mail).

Exclusive to Texas, Mega Millions players also have the option to activate a multiplier should they win a non-jackpot prize; for $2, a selection of five white numbers and a Mega Ball can win a double, triple, or quadruple prize (up to $1 million cash) with the "Megaplier". This is in contrast to the game-wide option in Powerball's "PowerPlay." (Hot Lotto's Sizzler" is available in 12 of its 13 jurisdictions.)

Previous incarnations of the Big Game and Mega Millions have had different matrices:
Date Pick 5 out of Pick 1 out of
September 9, 1996 50 25
January 13, 1999 50 36
May 15, 2002 (became Mega Millions) 52 52
June 22, 2005 (current) 56 46

Tickets must be purchased 15 minutes prior to the draw (usually 11:00 PM Eastern time), accounting for local time zone differences.

Laws and regulations vary slightly and are generally governed by the applicable laws in the state where the ticket is sold, and the winner's home state (e.g. if a New Jersey resident buys a winning ticket near their workplace in Manhattan.) Mega Millions winnings are generally exempt from state income tax in California and New Jersey; Texas and Washington have no state income tax. On the other hand, residents of New York City and Yonkers, New York pay city tax in addition to state and federal taxes.

for more information
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mega_Millions
http://www.calottery.com/Games/MegaMillions
http://www.megamillions.com/winningpicks/last_25.asp

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