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Mega Millions Terms Glossary

To help you navigate the multi-state lottery game, Mega Millions, this glossary provides clear and concise definitions of the key terms you'll encounter. Whether you're familiar with the game or if it's your first time, understanding these terms will enhance your knowledge of how Mega Millions works. It covers all aspects, from understanding the prize structures to grasping additional features like the Multiplier. This guide aims to categorize the lottery and give you all the knowledge you need to play with confidence.

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Annuity
The standard way the advertised jackpot prize is paid out, consisting of an initial payment followed by 29 annual payments. Each subsequent annual payment increases by 5% to help offset inflation.
Cash Option
An alternative to the annuity, this is a one-time, lump-sum payment that represents the present cash value of the advertised annuity jackpot. This amount is typically smaller than the total annuity payout
Cold Numbers
In lottery terminology, "cold numbers" are those that have appeared infrequently in recent Mega Millions drawings. Some players believe that these numbers are "due" to be drawn soon, although there is no statistical evidence to support this theory in truly random games.
Drawing
The official event where the winning Mega Millions numbers are randomly selected. Drawings take place twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 PM Eastern Time.
Easy Pick
A method of choosing your lottery numbers where the lottery terminal's computer randomly selects the five white ball numbers and the one Mega Ball number for you.
Hot Numbers
In lottery terminology, "hot numbers" are those that have appeared most frequently in recent Mega Millions drawings. Some players choose these numbers believing they are more likely to be drawn again, although each drawing is an independent event with equal odds for all numbers.
Jackpot
The highest prize in Mega Millions, which starts at a minimum amount and increases with each drawing until someone matches all five white ball numbers and the Mega Ball number.
Jackpot.com
An online lottery courier service that allows users in specific locations to order official lottery tickets online for games like Mega Millions. Players can select their numbers and purchase tickets through the "Jackpot.com" website or mobile app. Jackpot.com then purchases the official ticket on the player's behalf and securely stores it. Winnings are typically credited directly to the player's account. Availability may vary depending on your geographic location and local regulations.
Jurisdiction
A state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory (currently 45 states, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands) where Mega Millions tickets are legally sold and the lottery is regulated.
Lump Sum
See Cash Option.
Mega Ball
The single gold ball drawn from a separate pool of numbers (currently 1 to 24). Matching the Mega Ball is essential for winning several prize tiers, including the jackpot.
Mega Millions Matrix
The structure of the game, which involves selecting five different white ball numbers from a pool of 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from a separate pool of 1 to 24.
Mega Millions Taxes
Winnings from Mega Millions are subject to both federal and potentially state taxes. The IRS will automatically withhold 24% for federal taxes on winnings over $5,000. However, the actual federal income tax rate can be as high as 37%, depending on the winner's overall income. Additionally, many states also tax lottery winnings, with rates varying significantly (some states, like California and Florida, do not tax lottery winnings). Winners should be prepared for a substantial portion of their prize to go towards taxes and should consult with a financial advisor or tax professional to understand their specific tax obligations based on their residency and the amount won.
Megaplier
The former name for the multiplier feature that multiplies non-jackpot prize winnings. This was an optional feature which players could select for an additional $1. All non-jackpot prizes would then be multiplied by a random amount (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X) that was drawn alongside the main numbers. This term has been replaced by Multiplier.
Multiplier
Formerly known as Megaplier, this is a feature included at no extra cost with each $5 Mega Millions ticket. Upon purchase, a random multiplier, between 2x and 10x, is randomly printed on each person's ticket. This "multiplier" applies to all non-jackpot prizes, increasing the amount winners receive if they match the required numbers. The Multiplier does not affect the jackpot prize. Each player gets a different multiplier, so two winners could get different prizes even if they played the same numbers.
Odds
The statistical probability of winning a particular prize or the jackpot. Each prize tier in Mega Millions has different odds of being won.
Pari-mutuel
A system of prize payment where the prize amount is not fixed but depends on the number of tickets sold and the number of winners at each prize level. In Mega Millions, California operates on a pari-mutuel basis for all prize payouts, meaning their prize amounts may differ from the fixed amounts advertised in other states.
Play Slip
The physical or digital form that players use to mark their chosen Mega Millions numbers.
Pool (of Numbers)
The sets of numbers from which the winning numbers are drawn. There is one pool of 70 numbers for the five white balls and a separate pool of 24 numbers for the Mega Ball.
Prize Tiers
The different levels of winnings in Mega Millions, determined by how many of the player's selected numbers match the winning numbers drawn. There are nine prize tiers in total.
Quick Pick
A method of choosing your lottery numbers where the lottery terminal's computer randomly selects the five white ball numbers and the one Mega Ball number for you.
Retailer
An authorized business or location where Mega Millions lottery tickets can be purchased.
Rules (of Play)
The fundamental guidelines for participating in Mega Millions. These involve purchasing a ticket for $5 per line, selecting five white ball numbers between 1 and 70, and one gold Mega Ball number between 1 and 24. You can also play the same numbers for multiple draws. Matching some or all of these numbers with the winning numbers drawn on Tuesdays and Fridays determines if a prize is won. The ticket price includes the Multiplier feature, which can increase non-jackpot winnings.
Scratch Offs
Scratch cards, also called scratch-offs or scratchers, are small, typically paper-based tickets offering instant-win opportunities in games, lotteries, and promotions. They have one or more sections coated with an opaque material, usually latex, that players scratch away to uncover hidden results. You can play scratch-offs online in some States through platforms like Jackpot.com.
Self Pick
A method of choosing your lottery numbers where you personally select the five white ball numbers and the one Mega Ball number, typically by filling out a play slip or making selections online.
Ticket
The physical or digital receipt that serves as proof of purchase, Mega Millions tickets contain the player's selected numbers for a particular Mega Millions drawing.
Winning Numbers
The five white ball numbers and the one Mega Ball number that are randomly selected during an official Mega Millions drawing. Matching these numbers in various combinations determines the prize won according to the established prize tiers.