Mega Millions offers Virginians an opportunity to win a substantial amount of money.
According to the lottery game, Mega Millions revealed on Wednesday that its jackpot for the end of the year has reached an impressive $640 million. This happens to be the highest prize ever offered by Mega Millions during the last week of any year.
The jackpot exceeding $600 million has occurred only six times in the 20-year history of Mega Millions. The most recent instance was in July of this year, when the jackpot reached a staggering $1.337 billion.
If someone were to win Friday’s drawing, it would rank as the sixth-highest payout in the history of Mega Millions. The largest ever winner was in 2018, with a staggering prize of $1.537 billion won by a single individual.
When is the next Mega Millions lottery drawing?
Fortunately, Virginians won’t have to endure a long wait to verify their tickets as the next drawing is scheduled for Friday.
Where can I buy a Mega Millions lottery ticket in Virginia?
Virginia has over 5,000 retail lottery outlets for residents to visit. Moreover, the convenience of purchasing a Mega Millions ticket from home is made available through Virginia’s online lottery. Along with Mega Millions, players can engage in Powerball and various instant-win digital games.
How does Mega Millions work?
You can still benefit from Mega Millions on Friday, even if you don’t win the grand prize.
Players who bet $2 are required to select their initial five numbers from a selection of 70. In addition, they have the option to spend an additional $1 to participate in the Mega Ball group, which involves selecting a number from a pool of 25. Below, you will find a comprehensive overview of the prize distributions and the associated probabilities:
- The correct Mega Ball will earn you $2, with odds of 1-in-37.
- The probability of getting the correct Mega Ball along with any other number is 1-in-89, and the cost is $4.
- The cost is $10 to have the correct Mega Ball along with either two numbers (1-in-693) or three numbers (1-in-606).
- The prize for matching the correct Mega Ball along with any three numbers is $200, with odds of winning being 1 in 14,547.
- You have a 1-in-38,792 chance of winning $500 if you correctly guess four numbers, excluding the Mega Ball.
- The prize for matching the Mega Ball along with four correct numbers is $10,000, with odds of winning at 1 in 931,001.
- The chance of winning $1 million by correctly guessing five numbers, excluding the Mega Ball, is 1 in 12,607,306.
- The probability of winning the jackpot by correctly guessing the Mega Ball and all five numbers is 1 in 302,575,350.
How to claim your winning ticket
To safeguard your winnings, the Virginia Lottery advises promptly signing the back of your winning ticket. Additionally, exercise caution when handing over an unsigned ticket to someone else, as it may lead to potential claims on your prize.
If you win an amount below $100, the money will be automatically transferred to your online wallet. However, if you win a larger payout, such as $640 million, you will be required to file an online claim in order to receive your winnings. The Virginia Lottery will keep you updated on the progress of your payment through email, ensuring you stay informed throughout the process. It is important to note that prizes will expire after 180 days.
In the event of winning with a physical ticket, it is necessary to personally visit a Virginia Lottery customer service center. Ensure you have a valid government-issued ID and proof of your social security number, such as your social security card, at hand. It is important that the name on both documents matches in order to claim your prize. Upon arrival at one of the designated locations, you will be required to complete a claim form.
If you prefer, you can claim your winnings from the Virginia Lottery by mailing your ticket to this address: Virginia Lottery Claims, P. O. Box 1254, Richmond, VA, 23218-1254.
Please ensure that you have filled out the necessary details on the back of your ticket, as this will enable the Virginia Lottery to accurately send your payment via a check or Visa debit card.
Remember, lottery winnings are taxable. And you won’t remain anonymous
If your Mega Millions winnings exceed $600, they will be reported to both state and federal tax agencies. The Virginia Lottery specifies that if your winnings surpass $5,000, taxes will be automatically deducted at a rate of 24% for federal taxes and 4% for state taxes.
According to the Virginia Lottery, prizes exceeding $600 are considered public record. In the event that you win a substantial prize, the lottery reserves the right to publish your photo and name on their website, and it may also be shared with news outlets.
In the event that you win the jackpot or any amount exceeding $10 million, a recently enacted Virginia law grants you the opportunity to claim the prize while maintaining your anonymity. On the other hand, any winnings below this threshold will be disclosed as public information.
By purchasing lottery tickets, you are contributing to a noble cause in Virginia.
Despite the absence of a winner, certain individuals in Virginia will still be eligible for a payout.
Thanks to the education funding from the Virginia Lottery, public education emerges as the major beneficiary. In Fiscal Year 2022, a staggering $779.6 million was allocated to support Virginia’s schools.
The state’s lottery funds contribute to approximately 10% of Virginia’s K-12 education budget.
Virginia Lottery executive director Kelly Gee stated that these funds are crucial for our endeavors to guarantee that every student in the Commonwealth, irrespective of their zip code, is equipped for success in life.
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