Kentucky Mega Millions Lottery: How Does it Work?

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Written By Karla
Hey there, I'm Karla Alvarez! I'm an Information Sciences graduate with a real passion for research and lottery games. My goal is to share with you the best strategies, tips and interesting facts about the exciting world of luck and odds.

In Kentucky, we all know well about the tradition of sitting on the porch with a glass of sweet tea, enjoying a quiet afternoon. It’s a time to relax, reflect, and sometimes dream a little. And what better way to dream big than with the chance to be Kentucky’s first Mega Millions winner?

If that’s your dream, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to play and, with some luck, win the Kentucky Mega Millions lottery. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Does Kentucky Have Mega Millions?

The answer is yes—Kentucky participates in the Mega Millions lottery! Since January 31, 2010, Kentucky residents have been able to buy tickets and play this exciting lottery game.

Before that date, the state offered Powerball, another viral multi-state lottery game. The arrival of Mega Millions in Kentucky was made possible by a historic agreement between the two largest lottery organizations in the United States: the Multi-State Lottery Association, which manages Powerball, and the Mega Millions Consortium. This agreement allowed states, including Kentucky, to sell tickets for both games, giving players more chances to win.

Since its launch in Kentucky, Mega Millions has quickly become popular with residents. While no player in the state has yet hit the Mega Millions jackpot, several significant prizes have been won.

How Does the Mega Millions Lottery Work?

To have a chance to win the Mega Millions lottery in Kentucky, you must select five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. You can pick your numbers or let fate decide using the Quick Pick option. If you match all six numbers, you win the jackpot!

Mega Millions drawings are every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET / 10 p.m. CT. Each Mega Millions ticket costs $2. In addition, for just $1 more, you can add the Megaplier option, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes, allowing you to increase your winnings up to 5 times.

One of the perks of playing Mega Millions in Kentucky is that the state allows online ticket sales. To buy and play from the comfort of your home or through the mobile app, you must be at least 18 years old and have a Fun Club account. It’s important to note that you must be physically present in Kentucky when purchasing, as buying tickets across state lines is prohibited. If you’re interested in which other states allow online lottery play, check out our complete list!

You can also buy your Mega Millions tickets at a local retail location. To find the nearest stores, download our Lottonia App and find the most convenient location.

Mega Millions Prizes in Kentucky

Mega Millions began in October 2002 and has awarded 216 jackpots since then. Although it has been available in Kentucky for 14 years, unfortunately, no player in the state has ever won a Mega Millions jackpot. But that doesn’t mean there haven’t been secondary prize winners.

On August 1, 2022, a woman from Estill County, Kentucky, matched the five main numbers and won the $1,000,000 Mega Millions Second Prize. Similarly, on March 8, 2021, a player from Louisville also won a $1,000,000 prize. Both winners received a check for $710,000 after taxes. These are just two examples of the many winners that Mega Millions has produced in Kentucky.

The Mega Millions jackpot starts at $20 million and grows every time there isn’t a winner. The largest jackpot in Mega Millions history reached a staggering $1.602 billion.

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302.6 million, but remember, Mega Millions isn’t just about the grand prize. As you’ve seen in the stories above, you can win significant money with the secondary prizes. And when you add in the Megaplier, it’s even better!

Let’s see how much each multiplier can increase the Mega Millions prizes.

MatchRegular Prize2X3X4X5X
5 Numbers + Mega BallJackpotJackpotJackpotJackpotJackpot
5 Numbers$1,000,000$2,000,000$3,000,000$4,000,000$5,000,000
4 Numbers + Mega Ball$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000
4 Numbers$500$1,000$1,500$2,000$2,500
3 Numbers + Mega Ball$200$400$600$800$1,000
3 Numbers$10$20$30$40$50
2 Numbers + Mega Ball$10$20$30$40$50
1 Number + Mega Ball$4$8$12$16$20
Mega Ball$2$4$6$8$10
Mega Millions Prizes with Megaplier

Kentucky Mega Millions Results

The last drawing was on Tuesday, March 18. The winning numbers were 27-28-31-32-33 with a Mega Ball of 24.

Unfortunately there was no jackpot winner for this drawing.This means that the $301 Million prize has rolled over and will grow until the next drawing on Friday, March 21. The excitement is building with an estimated jackpot of $324 Million with a cash value of $150.6 Million!

Want to see the winning numbers in Kentucky for the last 30 Mega Millions drawings this year? They’re listed in reverse chronological order by drawing date.

Date of the DrawingsWinning numbersMega BallMegaplier Jackpot
03/18/2527-28-31-32-33243x$301 M
03/14/253-17-38-42-7013x$277 M
03/11/251-19-26-38-69153x$256 M
03/07/258-20-48-58-6073x$233 M
03/04/2514-19-47-52-7062x$215 M
02/28/259-19-30-35-66163x$197 M
02/25/254-8-11-32-52132x$181 M
02/21/251-13-28-37-46102x$165 M
02/18/251-20-25-58-61222x$145 M
02/14/2511-19-31-49-56193x$129 M
02/11/257-30-39-41-70133x$110 M
02/07/254-24-32-41-55162x$94 M
02/04/2514-24-31-53-5413x$77 M
01/31/259-29-48-56-6322x$59 M
01/28/2510-19-31-47-5665x$44 M
01/24/258-12-43-52-62182x$28 M
01/21/2527-30-56-64-65224x$20 M
01/17/258-10-37-54-69223x$112 M
01/14/254-14-35-49-6263x$95 M
01/10/259-23-39-65-66223x$77 M
01/07/2520-24-33-39-48182x$62 M
01/03/2520-42-46-59-69194x$42 M
12/31/2413-22-27-29-3512x$20 M
12/27/243-7-37-49-5563x$1.22 B
12/24/2411-14-38-45-4633x$1 B
12/20/242-20-51-56-67192x$862 M
12/17/2456-66-67-68-69184x$760 M
12/13/2436-43-52-58-65163x$695 M
12/10/2412-14-26-48-52215x$619 M
12/06/2416-21-33-39-45242x$579 M
12/03/2452-60-61-66-67234x$541 M
11/29/243-29-34-37-38173x$514 M
Mega Millions Winning Numbers

How to Claim a Kentucky Lottery Prize

In Kentucky, you have 180 days after the drawing to claim your prizes for drawn games like Mega Millions. Remembering this deadline is important because if you miss it, you’ll lose your prize. So stay alert!

To prevent this, it’s a good idea to download the Lottonia App. With Lottonia, you can store and manage all your lottery tickets in one place. After each drawing, Lottonia will notify you via email or directly in the app with the drawing results and let you know if you’ve won a prize. This is just one of the many benefits of playing the lottery through an app like Lottonia.

Prizes up to $600
You can claim them at any authorized Kentucky Lottery retailer.

Prizes from $600 to $5,000
You’ll need to visit one of the Kentucky Lottery’s claiming offices for these prizes.

Prizes from $5,000 to $25,000
These prizes can be claimed at authorized super cashing agents, the Kentucky Lottery Headquarters (in Louisville), or by mailing the signed winning ticket along with an official claim form to:
Kentucky Lottery Corporation, Claims Department, 1011 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202.

Can Kentucky Mega Millions winners remain anonymous? Unfortunately, Kentucky is not one of the states that allows lottery winners to remain anonymous.

Lump Sum or Annuity?

If you’re lucky enough to match all 6 Mega Millions numbers and win the first-ever Kentucky jackpot, you’ll need to decide how to receive your winnings. You can choose to receive your winnings as a lump sum or as an annuity.

Annuity Option:
You’ll receive your winnings in thirty (30) annual payments that increase each year. You’ll begin with an initial cash payment, followed by twenty-nine (29) yearly installments funded by the annuity.

Lump Sum Option:
You’ll receive the cash value of the jackpot in a single payment. According to the Kentucky State Lottery website, you have up to 60 days after claiming your winnings to elect this option. The payout will be made as an annuity if you don’t decide within that time.

What happens if the winner dies before receiving the entire prize? Can lottery annuity prizes be inherited? Under Kentucky law, the remaining annuity prize would pass to the winner’s estate. This ensures that the value of the award isn’t lost and your loved ones can continue to benefit.

Summing Up…

So, are you ready to try your luck at Mega Millions? Whether you dream of hitting the jackpot or hoping for a lovely secondary prize, playing Mega Millions in Kentucky is easy and exciting. Don’t forget to check your numbers and claim any winnings right away! And if you want to stay on top of your lottery tickets, download the Lottonia App for the latest results and notifications.

Good luck, and who knows, maybe you could be the next big winner!

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