Today we head to Arizona, where the sun shines bright and opportunity stretches as far as the desert. In this land of contrasts, one common practice brings residents together: the hope of winning the lottery. From the coffee shops of Tucson to the ranches of Phoenix, playing Mega Millions is a part of everyday life in Arizona. And it’s no wonder, given the huge jackpots that this lottery offers.
Want to learn how you can increase your chances of winning one of these prizes? Then stick with us because today we’re going to reveal all the secrets to playing Mega Millions in Arizona. So let’s get started right away.
Mega Millions Lottery in Arizona
Mega Millions began in 1996, but not under its current name. Back then it was known as “The Big Game” and was only available in six states: Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan and Virginia. As the game’s popularity grew, more and more states joined. Six years later, in 2002, the game changed its name to Mega Millions.
Arizona joined the Mega Millions fever on April 18, 2010, allowing its residents to dream big. However, it took ten years for an Arizona player to hit the jackpot. In June 2020, a lucky anonymous player from Glendale won an impressive $414 million jackpot ($319.9 million cash option), becoming Arizona’s very first Mega Millions jackpot winner.
The next big win came just one year later. In October 2021, a family from Lake Havasu City won another massive jackpot of $108 million ($75.2 million cash option).
How to play Mega Millions
First of all, you must be 21 or older to buy a Mega Millions ticket in Arizona. To play, select five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. You can choose your own numbers or use the Quick Pick option for random selection. If you match all six numbers, you win the jackpot! But even if you don’t match all the numbers, you can still win prizes based on how many numbers you match.
If you have your lucky numbers, in Arizona you can play them for up to 10 consecutive drawings on the same ticket. Just tell the cashier at the time of purchase or check the Multi-Draw box on your ticket.
Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time or 8:00 p.m. Arizona Time. Ticket sales end at 6:59 p.m. Arizona time on drawing nights from the second Sunday in March through the first Saturday in November, and at 7:59 p.m. Arizona time from the first Sunday in November through the second Saturday in March.
Each Mega Millions ticket costs $2. You can also add the Megaplier option for an additional $1 and multiply your non-jackpot prizes up to 5 times.
Can you buy Mega Millions tickets in Arizona by phone, mail or online? Unfortunately, no. You can only buy Arizona Lottery tickets at authorized retailers. The Arizona Lottery does not sell tickets over the phone, by mail, or online.
But where can you find a retailer? If you’re a Lottonia App user, it’s easy. Just activate your location and the app will find the closest retailer.
Mega Millions prizes and odds
The Mega Millions jackpot starts at $20 million and increases every time there is no winner. The largest jackpot in Mega Millions history was a staggering $1.602 billion.
The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302.6 million. Yes, that may seem like a long shot, but remember that there is more to Mega Millions than just the jackpot. In addition to the jackpot, there are eight other prize levels ranging from $2 to $1 million with better odds. You can even win a prize just by matching the Mega Ball number.
Here’s a breakdown of all the prizes you can win in Mega Millions:
- Jackpot: Match all 5 main numbers and the Mega Ball
- $1 million: Match all 5 main numbers
- $10,000: Match 4 main numbers and the Mega Ball
- $500: Match 4 main numbers
- $200: Match 3 main numbers and the Mega Ball
- $10: Match 3 main numbers
- $10: Match 2 main numbers and the Mega Ball.
- $4: Match 1 main number and the Mega Ball.
- $2: Match only the Mega Ball.
But these aren’t the final numbers, because with the Megaplier option, your non-jackpot prizes can be multiplied up to 5 times, making your winnings even more exciting!
How to claim a Mega Millions prize in Arizona
Did you win a Mega Millions prize? Congratulations! Now it’s time to claim it. In Arizona you have 180 days from the drawing to claim your prize from draw games like Mega Millions. It’s important to keep this deadline in mind because if you miss it, you won’t be able to claim your prize. So, stay vigilant!
To make sure you don’t miss any prizes, download the Lottonia App. With Lottonia you can save and manage all your lottery bets. After each drawing, Lottonia automatically sends you a notification via email or directly in the app with the drawing results and lets you know if you’ve won a prize. With Lottonia, you never have to worry about missing out on a prize.
Prizes up to $599 can be claimed at any authorized Arizona Lottery retailer. These retailers typically pay these prizes in cash, so you can collect your money quickly and conveniently. Prizes of $600 or more must be claimed at an Arizona Lottery office. You can also claim these prizes by filling out a claim form and mailing it to the office.
If you’re lucky enough to win a Mega Millions jackpot, you still have an important decision to make: how to receive your winnings. You can choose to receive your winnings as a lump sum or as an annuity. In Arizona, you have up to 60 days to decide how you want to receive your winnings. If you don’t choose cash or annuity within those 60 days, your winnings will be paid as an annuity.
Where does Arizona Mega Millions money go?
Beyond the winners, the funds raised by Mega Millions in Arizona have a significant impact on several social and community areas. A significant portion of these funds go to support higher education, providing critical support for universities and educational programs. Health and human services also receive priority attention, with funds directed toward improving public health.
Preserving Arizona’s cultural and natural heritage is another focus. The Heritage Fund supports projects that preserve and protect the state’s rich historical and natural heritage. Lottery funds are also invested in projects that enhance community safety and ensure a safe environment for all residents.
Support is extended to organizations that provide shelter and services to the homeless. Plus, investments to improve public transportation and support innovative automation projects promote advanced technological solutions that benefit the entire community.
Every Mega Millions ticket not only provides the thrill of winning big, but also contributes significantly to the overall development and well-being of Arizona.
Summing up…
Are you ready to try your luck at Mega Millions? You now have all the tools you need to participate, from how to play, to picking your numbers, to claiming your prizes if you win.
In Arizona we’ve seen incredible success stories with winners whose lives changed overnight. Could you be next? Don’t wait any longer – pick your lucky numbers and get your ticket for the next drawing. Who knows, you could be the next Mega Millions winner in Arizona!