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Kevin (Probably) Saves the World
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Kevin (Probably) Saves the World
Genre
Fantasy
Comedy-drama
Created by
Michele Fazekas
Tara Butters
Starring
Jason Ritter
JoAnna Garcia Swisher
Kimberly Hebert Gregory
India de Beaufort
J. August Richards
Chloe East
Dustin Ybarra
Composer(s)
Blake Neely
Country of origin
United States
Original language(s)
English
No. of seasons
1
No. of episodes
12 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Michele Fazekas
Tara Butters
Chris Dingess
Craig DiGregorio
Running time
43 minutes
Production company(s)
Fazekas & Butters
ABC Studios
Distributor
Disney–ABC Domestic Television
Release
Original network
ABC
Original release
October 3, 2017 (2017-10-03) – present
Kevin (Probably) Saves the World (stylized as Kevin ^Probably Saves the World) is an American high-concept angelic-themed fantasy comedy-drama television series that was created and executive produced by Michele Fazekas & Tara Butters for ABC Studios. The series airs on ABC as a Tuesday night entry during the 2017–18 television season, and was greenlit on May 11, 2017.[1] The series premiered on October 3, 2017.[2] The show is set in Taylor, Texas.
Contents
[hide]
1 Premise
2 Cast and characters
2.1 Main
2.2 Recurring/Guest
3 Episodes
4 Production
4.1 Casting
5 Reception
5.1 Ratings
5.2 Critical response
6 References
7 External links
Premise[edit]
Kevin, a down-on-his-luck man who survived a suicide attempt, moves in with his twin sister Amy, an engineer and professor at the local college, and Amy's teenage daughter Reese. Shortly after, he discovers a celestial being named Yvette; Yvette claims that God has tasked Kevin with saving the world, and sent Yvette to guide and protect him. Only Kevin can see and hear Yvette, so his conversations appear to be hallucinations to those around him. The series also explores a mystery, as there are supposed to be 36 righteous souls in each generation, but for unknown reasons, Kevin is the only one left.[3]
Cast and characters[edit]
Main[edit]
Jason Ritter as Kevin Finn
JoAnna Garcia as Amy Cabrera (née Finn)
Kimberly Hebert Gregory as Yvette
India de Beaufort as Kristin Allen
J. August Richards as Sheriff Deputy Nathan Purcell
Chloe East as Reese Cabrera
Dustin Ybarra as Tyler Medina
Recurring/Guest[edit]
Barbara Eve Harris as Colonel O'Donnell
Michael Harney as Karl Gilmore
Sam Huntington as Jake Gilmore
Lesley Boone as Lucille
Emma Bell as Deb
Christian Ochoa as Ben
Lauren Blumenfeld as Ava
Richard Masur as Dr. Sloane
Kate Flannery as Anne
Will Sasso as Dave
Brandon Quinn as Ignacio "Iggy" DePerro
Anjali Bhimani as Susan Allen
Episodes[edit]
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
U.S. viewers
(millions)
1
"Pilot" Paul McGuigan Michele Fazekas & Tara Butters October 3, 2017 (2017-10-03) 4.17[4]
After getting fired from his Wall Street job and surviving a suicide attempt, Kevin Finn returns to his hometown to live with his twin sister Amy, a widowed mom, and her teenage daughter Reese. While Amy is away at a work assignment, a meteor crashes to earth near her home. Kevin and Reese investigate, and when Kevin touches the meteorite, he is hurtled backward. He begins having strange visions, including a mysterious woman named Yvette that only Kevin can see. Yvette calls herself one of God's messengers, tasked with locating the 36 righteous souls of this generation, of which Kevin is the only one known to be left.
2
"Listen Up" Kevin Dowling Craig DiGregorio & Jack Kenny October 10, 2017 (2017-10-10) 3.61[5]
Yvette tells Kevin that not even she knows what happened to the other 35 righteous ones, and that they'll have to let the universe guide them. She explains that Kevin needs to strengthen his soul by performing good deeds. While helping the son of a brewery pub owner find his true path, Kevin reconnects with his ex-girlfriend Kristin and the two sleep together. They ponder getting back together, but both remember how badly Kevin treated Kristin in the past and decide it's not a good idea. Kevin has a vision of an island surrounded by ocean.
3
"Sweet Little Lies" Peter Leto Chris Dingess & Davah Avena October 17, 2017 (2017-10-17) 3.26[6]
Kevin tries to intervene as a wedding planner for Deb, whose former childhood friend proposed to her when she got cancer. But now that Deb is healthy, she reveals to Kevin that she does not want to get married. Kevin has a vision of a mariachi band. Yvette meets with Ava, a celestial messenger like herself. Ava says she will gather all the other messengers to meet about finding the rest of the righteous, but come meeting time, they are the only two to show up. Ava then says that she too is giving up.
4
"How to be Good" J. Miller Tobin Teleplay by: Brant Englestein
Story by: Michele Fazekas & Tara Butters October 24, 2017 (2017-10-24) 2.87[7]
Kevin helps Lucille, Tyler's rude boss at the diner, and gets dragged into a feud between Lucille and her estranged sister, Anne. Kevin later has a vision of being in an Asian marketplace. Reese confronts Kevin about the strange things she's observed, and asks if the meteorite gave him superpowers.
5
"Brutal Acts of Kindness" Rob Hardy Craig DiGregorio October 31, 2017 (2017-10-31) 2.71[8]
After Yvette convinces him to withdraw his entire $30,000 severance pay and give it away, Kevin helps a woman who cannot afford her son's diabetes medication. He later has a vision of being chased by a tiger through a jungle. Amy finds Reese's journal and sees that Kevin caused Reese to be thrown in jail. She angrily tells Kevin to pack up and move out.
6
"Rocky Road" Wendey Stanzler Jack Kenny November 7, 2017 (2017-11-07) 2.91[9]
Kevin begins looking for places to stay, hitting up Tyler, Kristin and Nathan. He also helps a man who lost his job 18 months ago look for work, learning that the man never told his wife and has now exhausted their life savings. Angry at her mom, Reese skips school and runs away to an abandoned factory. Kevin and Amy arrive to talk her down, but Reese slips from her perch and falls. Yvette suspends Reese in mid air for a couple of seconds, allowing Kevin to get underneath and catch her. A dumbfounded Amy observes, and starts seeing Kevin the way Reese has seen him. Kevin gets a printout of all his previous visions, plus a new one of mountaintops in the clouds.
7
"Dave" Ron Underwood Chris Dingess November 14, 2017 (2017-11-14) 2.62[10]
Kevin and Yvette are joined by Dave (Will Sasso), another celestial messenger, who helps them on Kevin's next assignment. The assignment turns out to be helping Kristin's cancer-stricken mother Susan (Anjali Bhimani) find some joy while living out her last days. Kevin later sees a vision of a flaming gazebo. Meanwhile, Amy wants to use science to figure out what she witnessed when Reese fell, and soon meets Iggy (Brandon Quinn), a theology professor who tries to convince her that it's okay for some things to remain unexplained. Also, Nathan tells Reese he wants to ask Amy out on a date, but Reese will not give him permission.
8
"Chrysalis" Metin Hüseyin Kevin Deiboldt December 5, 2017 (2017-12-05) 2.62[11]
Kevin sees a vision of blue butterflies, and follows one to an art class held by Ethan (Enoch King). Kevin offers to help Ethan get over his fear of rejection by taking him to an art show, later realizing this will conflict with Reese's school play. Dave appears and reveals himself to Ethan, offering to take him to the art showing so Kevin can be with his family. At the same time, Yvette meets with Ava, who tells her that Dave has turned all the celestial messengers against her. Kevin angrily confronts Yvette about being able to reveal herself to other people, and asks what else she's hidden from him. Yvette admits she does not know if the other 35 righteous really exist, and is operating on faith alone. Kevin chooses to work with Dave, which backfires when Ethan gets scared and backs out of the show. Kevin returns to Yvette while making things right with Ethan by setting up a surprise showing of Ethan's paintings. Ethan offers a painting of a blue butterfly to Kevin as a thank you, also telling Kevin about a trip he took that inspired it. Kevin now knows where the next righteous soul will be found. Elsewhere, Kristin helps Amy prepare for her first date with Iggy, but later notices that Amy will not tell Nathan about the date.
9
"Probably" Tamra Davis Michele Fazekas & Tara Butters December 12, 2017 (2017-12-12) 2.49[12]
Kevin travels to Laos, taking Tyler along. The two are befriended by Vong (David Huynh), whom Kevin and Yvette briefly think is the next righteous but he's not. Kevin sees another of his visions and wants to press on, but Yvette now has doubts and thinks Dave may have been right. Yvette appears as human and is approached by Tyler, who finds her fascinating. The two dance to a mariachi band (another of Kevin's earlier visions), which renews Yvette's faith. Kevin and Tyler, with help from Lucille on video chat, then help Vong's wife deliver their first child, and it turns out the baby is the next righteous soul. Back at home, Reese tells Amy that Nathan wanted to ask her out. Amy meets Nathan the next day and tells him about Iggy, but says she now knows she wasn't yet ready to date and is glad she realized this with someone she doesn't truly care about. Nathan later does something special for Amy.
10
"The Ugly Sleep" J. Miller Tobin Davah Avena January 2, 2018 (2018-01-02) 2.62[13]
Kevin helps Charlie (Trent Garrett), who is despondent over a recent breakup, meet someone new, but when the someone new turns out to be Kristin, it leads to awkwardness. The situation causes Charlie to realize the girl he left is his one true love, and he returns to her. Inspired by Kevin's good deeds, Reese befriends a new girl at school who is struggling to fit in. Meanwhile, Yvette sees that Tyler is still smitten over her and tries to figure out a way to help him move on. Kevin has a vision of a snow-covered area in the woods. As the episode closes, Kristin tells Kevin that she submitted his name for an open substitute teacher position.
11
"Solo" Lee Rose Kevin Deiboldt January 9, 2018 (2018-01-09) 2.39[14]
On his first day as a substitute teacher, Kevin encounters an introverted kid named Adam and extracts information about who will be the target of the annual "Freshman Prank". After Adam reveals the target is Kristin, he becomes even more disliked for squealing. Kevin tries to help Adam become noticed for something else -- namely, pulling off the most legendary Freshman Prank since the one Kevin engineered 20 years ago. Meanwhile, Amy and Nathan have an awkward first date, but later enjoy helping Kevin, Adam and Tyler as they plan the prank. Adam has a vision of being on the deck of a crabbing boat.
12
"Caught White-Handed" Jennifer Lynch Brant Englestein January 16, 2018 (2018-01-16) 2.46[15]
Reese is with Kevin when he tracks his next subject, and she realizes her uncle has stumbled upon the mysterious "acorn fairy" -- a person who has been doing good deeds around Taylor for the last ten years. In trying to help the woman (Kathleen Wilhoite), Kevin unintentionally causes her real identity to be revealed, along with her criminal past. Meanwhile, Yvette learns that the person responding to Tyler's ads searching for her is Kevin, who says he was just trying to figure out a way to let his friend down easy. This backfires when Tyler decides to travel to Canada to locate his true love. Kevin has a vision of the boat from the previous episode, but this time Tyler is with him.
13
"Fishtail"[16] J. Miller Tobin Craig DiGregorio & Chris Dingess February 6, 2018 (2018-02-06) TBD
Production[edit]
The series was originally called The Gospel of Kevin, but the name was changed since the show was not "overtly religious".[17]
The series was picked up for a 16-episode full season on November 10, 2017.[18]
Casting[edit]
Cristela Alonzo, who played a lead role as the heaven-sent entity in the original pilot, was replaced by Kimberly Hebert Gregory after the series was picked up.[19]
Reception[edit]
Ratings[edit]
No.
Title
Air date
Rating/share
(18–49)
Viewers
(millions)
DVR
(18–49)
DVR viewers
(millions)
Total
(18–49)
Total viewers
(millions)
1 "Pilot" October 3, 2017 1.0/4 4.17[4] N/A 2.17 N/A 6.33[20]
2 "Listen Up" October 10, 2017 0.8/3 3.61[5] TBD TBD TBD TBD
3 "Sweet Little Lies" October 17, 2017 0.8/3 3.26[6] TBD 1.75 TBD 5.01[21]
4 "How to be Good" October 24, 2017 0.7/3 2.87[7] TBD TBD TBD TBD
5 "Brutal Acts of Kindness" October 31, 2017 0.6/2 2.71[8] TBD TBD TBD TBD
6 "Rocky Road" November 7, 2017 0.7/3 2.91[9] TBD TBD TBD TBD
7 "Dave" November 14, 2017 0.7/3 2.62[10] TBD TBD TBD TBD
8 "Chrysalis" December 5, 2017 0.6/2 2.62[11] TBD TBD TBD TBD
9 "Probably" December 12, 2017 0.6/2 2.49[12] TBD TBD TBD TBD
10 "The Ugly Sleep" January 2, 2018 0.7/3 2.62[13] TBD TBD TBD TBD
11 "Solo" January 9, 2018 0.6/3 2.39[14] TBD TBD TBD TBD
12 "Caught White-Handed" January 16, 2018 0.6/2 2.46[15] TBD TBD TBD TBD
13 "Fishtail" February 6, 2018 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD
Critical response[edit]
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 68% approval rating with an average rating of 6.73/10 based on 22 reviews. The website's consensus reads, "Breezily entertaining, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World relies on its likable lead to carry its still-sketchy premise, hinting at deeper potential that's yet to develop."[22] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 59 out of 100 based on 18 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[23]
References[edit]
Jump up ^ Goldberg, Lesley (May 11, 2017). "ABC Orders 'The Mayor', Zach Braff Comedy, 'Gospel of Kevin', 'Crossing', 'Good Doctor', Shondaland Drama to Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
Jump up ^ Otterson, Joe (July 24, 2017). "ABC Sets Fall Premiere Dates for Marvel's 'Inhumans,' Daveed Diggs' 'The Mayor'". Variety. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
Jump up ^ "'Kevin (Probably) Saves the World' series premiere react: Meet the last of the Righteous". EW.com. 2017-10-04. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
^ Jump up to: a b Porter, Rick (October 4, 2017). "'Fresh Off the Boat,' 'Voice' adjust up, 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine,' 'L&O True Crime' adjust down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Porter, Rick (October 11, 2017). "'Voice,' 'Flash,' 'Lethal Weapon' & 'The Mick' adjust up, 'NCIS: New Orleans' down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Porter, Rick (October 18, 2017). "'NCIS,' 'Voice' and 'This Is Us' adjust up, 'Black-ish' and 'L&O True Crime' down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Porter, Rick (October 25, 2017). "'This Is Us,' 'Fresh Off the Boat,' 'Kevin' & World Series adjust up, 'L&O True Crime' down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Porter, Rick (November 1, 2017). "'The Middle' and World Series adjust up, 'Law & Order True Crime' down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Porter, Rick (November 8, 2017). "'The Middle' adjusts up, 'The Mayor' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Porter, Rick (November 15, 2017). "'Fresh Off the Boat,' 'The Flash' and 'Kevin' adjust up, 'Bull' and 'L&O True Crime' adjust down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Porter, Rick (December 6, 2017). "'Chicago Med' adjusts up: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Porter, Rick (December 13, 2017). "'The Voice,' 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine,' all others unchanged: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
^ Jump up to: a b Porter, Rick (January 4, 2018). "'Bull' adjusts up: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
^ Jump up to: a b Welch, Alex (January 10, 2018). "'Kevin (Probably) Saves the World' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". Retrieved January 10, 2018.
^ Jump up to: a b Porter, Rick (January 18, 2018). "Originals all hold, 'Modern Family' rerun adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
Jump up ^ "Shows A-Z - kevin (probably) saves the world on abc". The Futon Critic. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
Jump up ^ Malone, Michael (September 4, 2017). "Show Name Changes (Probably) Help the Series". Broadcasting & Cable: 28–29.
Jump up ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 10, 2017). "ABC: 'Kevin (Probably) Saves the World' Gets 3-Episode Back Order, 'The Mayor' Gets 3 More Scripts". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
Jump up ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 16, 2017). "'The Gospel Of Kevin': Kimberly Hébert Gregory To Co-Star On ABC Series, Replacing Cristela Alonzo". Deadline.com. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
Jump up ^ Porter, Rick (October 18, 2017). "'The Orville,' 'Once Upon a Time,' 5 more shows double in week 2 broadcast Live +7 ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
Jump up ^ Porter, Rick (November 2, 2017). "'Chicago PD,' 10 more shows double in week 4 broadcast Live +7 ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
Jump up ^ "Kevin (Probably) Saves the World: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
Jump up ^ "Kevin (Probably) Saves the World - Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
External links[edit]
Official website
Kevin (Probably) Saves the World on IMDb
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Mega Millions
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Mega Millions (which began as The Big Game in 1996 and renamed, temporarily, to The Big Game Mega Millions six years later) is an American multi-jurisdictional lottery game; it is offered in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The first (The Big Game) Mega Millions drawing was in 2002; see below. (What is now Mega Millions initially was offered in six states; the logo for all versions of the game following the retiring of The Big Game name featured a gold-colored ball with six stars to represent the game's initial membership.)
Mega Millions is drawn at 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday and Friday evenings, including holidays.[1] Mega Millions is administered by a consortium of its 12 original lotteries;[2] the drawings are held at the studios of WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia,[1] supervised by the Georgia Lottery.
Under the current version's regulations (which began October 28, 2017 with the first drawing October 31) for Mega Millions, the minimum Mega Millions advertised jackpot is $40 million, paid in 30 graduated yearly installments, increasing 5 percent each year (unless the cash option is chosen; see below for differences by lotteries on cash/annuity choice regulations.) The jackpot increases when there is no top-prize winner[1] (see below for information on how the Mega Millions jackpot is funded.) As of December 13, 2017, there has yet to be a jackpot winner under the current Mega Millions format, including wagers for the newly created Just the Jackpot option.
Reflecting common practice among American lotteries, the jackpot is advertised as a nominal value of annual installments. A cash value option (the usual choice), when chosen by a jackpot winner, pays the approximate present value of the installments. Mega Millions' previous format began on October 19, 2013; its first drawing was three days later. The current version of Mega Millions uses a 5/70 (for the white balls) plus 1/25 (for the "Mega Ball") double matrix to select its winning numbers.
Each game costs $2. Of the 46 Mega Millions jurisdictions, all but California offer an option, called Megaplier (plays with the Megaplier are $3 each) where non-jackpot prizes are multiplied by 2, 3, 4, or 5. The Megaplier was made available to all Mega Millions jurisdictions in January 2011; it began as an option available only in Texas.
The October 28, 2017 Mega Millions' format change resulted in the game's first price increase: plays are $2 each ($3 with the Megaplier; up from $1 and $2 respectively); as part of the format change, the "Just the Jackpot" option was introduced to seven of the game's members. The new option is two plays for $3; only the jackpot can be won (or shared) on this wager.[3][4][5]
The largest jackpot in Mega Millions history was $656 million annuity value (with a cash option of $474 million) for the March 30, 2012 drawing, in which there were three jackpot-winning tickets; one each in Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland. All three tickets had been claimed by April 18, with each set of winners choosing the cash option of $158 million.[6]
Contents
[hide]
1 The 2010 expansion of Mega Millions and Powerball
2 Current Mega Millions members
2.1 Mega Millions and Powerball
3 History
3.1 The Big Game
3.2 The Big Game Mega Millions
3.3 2010 cross-sell expansion
3.4 October 2013 format change
3.5 October 2017 format/price point change
3.5.1 "Just the Jackpot" option
4 Record jackpots
5 Versions of (The Big Game) Mega Millions
5.1 Megaplier
5.2 Winning and probability
5.3 Payment options and claiming prizes
6 Drawings
7 Record jackpots (listed by cash value)
8 Revenue
9 Miscellany
10 See also
11 Notes
12 External links
The 2010 expansion of Mega Millions and Powerball[edit]
Mega Millions lottery tickets from New Jersey (left) and New York; see below for rule variations among the game's 46 members, including where the Just the Jackpot option will be offered beginning October 28, 2017
On October 13, 2009, the Mega Millions consortium and Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) reached an agreement in principle to cross-sell Mega Millions and Powerball in American lottery jurisdictions, with the two groups referred to as the "Mega Power Lottery"[7] by many users. The expansion occurred on January 31, 2010, as 23 Powerball members began selling Mega Millions tickets for their first drawing on February 2, 2010; likewise, 10 Mega Millions members began selling Powerball tickets for their first drawing the next day. Montana (joining Mega Millions on March 1, 2010) was the first jurisdiction to add either game after the cross-sell expansion. Nebraska (March 20, 2010), Oregon (March 28, 2010), Arizona (April 18, 2010), Maine (May 9, 2010), Colorado and South Dakota (the latter two on May 16, 2010) also have joined Mega Millions since the expansion.
As of January 2016, there are 46 lotteries offering Mega Millions and Powerball; Florida joined Mega Millions in May 2013. (Puerto Rico, whose lottery began in the 1930s, currently does not offer Mega Millions).
Before the agreement, the only stores which sold Mega Millions and Powerball tickets were retailers whose business was on a border between jurisdictions which sold competing games.
The current Mega Millions format began in October 2013; the game will use a different double matrix as of October 2017. Mega Millions plays will become $2 per game upon the format change; it is unknown exactly how the "Megaplier" will be utilized.
Current Mega Millions members[edit]
As of October 2017, Mega Millions is available in 44 states and the District of Columbia (in blue), plus the US Virgin Islands (not shown)
Mega Millions replaced The Big Game in 2002 (see below for the evolution of the name Mega Millions).
Mega Millions and Powerball[edit]
Lottery
Powerball
Mega Millions
Arizona 000000001994-04-04-0000April 4, 1994 000000002010-04-18-0000April 18, 2010
Arkansas 000000002009-10-31-0000October 31, 2009 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
California 000000002013-04-08-0000April 8, 2013 000000002005-06-22-0000June 22, 2005
Connecticut 000000001995-11-28-0000November 28, 1995 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Colorado 000000002001-08-02-0000August 2, 2001 000000002010-05-16-0000May 16, 2010
Delaware 000000001991-01-14-0000January 14, 1991 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
District of Columbia 000000001988-02-13-0000February 13, 1988 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Florida 000000002009-01-04-0000January 4, 2009 000000002013-05-15-0000May 15, 2013
Georgia 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010 000000001996-09-06-0000September 6, 1996
Idaho 000000001990-02-01-0000February 1, 1990 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Illinois 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010 000000001996-09-06-0000September 6, 1996
Indiana 000000001990-10-14-0000October 14, 1990 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Iowa 000000001988-02-13-0000February 13, 1988 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Kansas 000000001988-02-13-0000February 13, 1988 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Kentucky 000000001991-01-10-0000January 10, 1991 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Louisiana 000000001995-03-05-0000March 5, 1995 000000002011-11-16-0000November 16, 2011
Maine 000000002004-07-30-0000July 30, 2004 000000002010-05-09-0000May 9, 2010
Maryland 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010 000000001996-09-06-0000September 6, 1996
Massachusetts 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010 000000001996-09-06-0000September 6, 1996
Michigan 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010 000000001996-09-06-0000September 6, 1996
Minnesota 000000001990-08-14-0000August 14, 1990 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Missouri 000000001988-02-13-0000February 13, 1988 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Montana 000000001989-11-09-0000November 9, 1989 000000002010-03-01-0000March 1, 2010
Nebraska 000000001994-07-21-0000July 21, 1994 000000002010-03-20-0000March 20, 2010
New Hampshire 000000001995-11-05-0000November 5, 1995 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
New Jersey 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010 000000001999-05-26-0000May 26, 1999
New Mexico 000000001996-10-20-0000October 20, 1996 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
New York 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010 000000002002-05-17-0000May 17, 2002
North Carolina 000000002006-05-30-0000May 30, 2006 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
North Dakota 000000002004-03-25-0000March 25, 2004 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Ohio 000000002010-04-16-0000April 16, 2010 000000002002-05-17-0000May 17, 2002
Oklahoma 000000002006-01-12-0000January 12, 2006 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Oregon 000000001988-02-13-0000February 13, 1988 000000002010-03-28-0000March 28, 2010
Pennsylvania 000000002002-06-29-0000June 29, 2002 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Puerto Rico 000000002014-09-28-0000September 28, 2014 Not offered
Rhode Island 000000001988-02-13-0000February 13, 1988 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
South Carolina 000000002002-10-06-0000October 6, 2002 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
South Dakota 000000001990-11-15-0000November 15, 1990 000000002010-05-16-0000May 16, 2010
Tennessee 000000002004-04-21-0000April 21, 2004 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Texas 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010 000000002003-12-05-0000December 5, 2003
US Virgin Islands 000000002010-11-14-0000November 14, 2010 000000002010-10-04-0000October 4, 2010
Vermont 000000002003-07-01-0000July 1, 2003 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Virginia 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010 000000001996-09-06-0000September 6, 1996
Washington 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010 000000002002-09-04-0000September 4, 2002
West Virginia 000000001988-02-13-0000February 13, 1988 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Wisconsin 000000001989-08-10-0000August 10, 1989 000000002010-01-31-0000January 31, 2010
Wyoming 000000002014-08-24-0000August 24, 2014 000000002014-08-24-0000August 24, 2014
Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada and Utah do not sell lottery tickets. In 2013, Wyoming became the 44th state to establish a lottery; the next year, it began, initially offering both Mega Millions and Powerball.
In most cases, a lottery joining Mega Millions on or after January 31, 2010 offered Powerball before the MUSL cross-sell expansion.
History[edit]
The Big Game[edit]
The Big Game logo prior to the Mega Millions name change.
Tickets for The Big Game began to be sold in Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Virginia on August 31, 1996. The Big Game was the brainchild of lottery directors Rebecca Paul (of the Georgia Lottery) and Penelope W. Kyle (of the Virginia Lottery.) The Big Game initially was drawn weekly, on Friday.
The Georgia Lottery was a member of MUSL at the time and wanted to sell both games for the remainder of 1996; however, within a few days, Georgia was forcibly removed from MUSL, returning with the 2010 cross-selling expansion.
Beginning in January 1999, jackpot winners were given the option to receive their prize in cash. In May 1999, New Jersey joined The Big Game, the only jurisdiction to enter as a participant before The Big Game became Mega Millions in 2002.
The Big Game Mega Millions[edit]
The Big Game Mega Millions logo following the addition of the name Mega Millions
Ohio and New York joined The Big Game consortium on May 15, 2002, when the game was renamed The Big Game Mega Millions, temporarily retaining the old name and the original "gold ball" logo. The "Big Money Ball" became the "Mega Ball." While the game's name was altered, the yellow ball in the new Mega Millions logo continued to read "The Big Game" until February 2003, after which it was replaced with six stars representing the original members of the consortium. The first (The Big Game) Mega Millions drawing was held two days later, on May 17. The Mega Millions trademark is owned by the Illinois Lottery. The first three lotteries to join Mega Millions were Washington (in September 2002), Texas (in 2003) and California (in 2005); California was the last addition to Mega Millions before the cross-sell expansion of 2010. Montana joined Mega Millions on March 1, 2010, the first addition to Mega Millions after the cross-sell expansion.
When Texas joined Mega Millions in 2003, it began offering an option, initially available only to Texas Lottery players, known as the Megaplier, which was similar to Powerball's Power Play. The 11 Mega Millions lotteries without Megaplier on the January 31, 2010 cross-selling date gradually added the multiplier option; by January 2011, all Mega Millions lotteries, except for California, offered the Megaplier. The Texas Lottery owns the trademark to Megaplier.[8]
On June 24, 2005, to commemorate California joining Mega Millions, that night's drawing was held in Hollywood, with Carrie Underwood assisting host Glenn Burns for the draw.
For the November 15, 2005 drawing, a group called "The Lucky 7" held the only jackpot-winning ticket, purchased in Anaheim, California, winning $315 million. They chose the cash option, splitting $175 million before federal withholdings.[9] This remains the largest prize won by a single Mega Millions ticket.
On March 6, 2007, the Mega Millions jackpot reached $390 million,[10] which is the record for the third largest jackpot in U.S. history. The jackpot was shared by two tickets, both matching the numbers of 16-22-29-39-42 and Mega Ball 20. Both winners chose the cash option, with each share $116,557,083 before withholdings.[11]
2010 cross-sell expansion[edit]
The New Jersey Lottery, among others, in early 2009 announced it would seek permission to sell Powerball tickets alongside Mega Millions. In October 2009, an agreement between Mega Millions and MUSL allowed all U.S. lotteries, including New Jersey's, to offer both games. On January 31, 2010, Mega Millions expanded to include the 23 MUSL members; as of that date, 35 jurisdictions were participating in Mega Millions. On the same day, 10 existing Mega Millions-participating lotteries began selling Powerball tickets. Ohio joined Powerball on April 16, 2010. On March 1, 2010, Montana became the first MUSL member to add Mega Millions after the cross-sell expansion. Nebraska became the 37th Mega Millions participating member on March 20, 2010, followed by Oregon as the 38th member on March 28, Arizona as the 39th member on April 18, and Maine as 40th Mega Millions participant on May 9, 2010. Colorado and South Dakota added Mega Millions on May 16, 2010, bringing the total to 42 jurisdictions.
The most recent additions to Mega Millions were the U.S. Virgin Islands, in October 2010, and Louisiana in November 2011. Florida joined Mega Millions on May 15, 2013; the first drawing to include Florida-bought tickets was two days later.
Presumably due to their experience with the Power Play option for Powerball, all 23 lotteries joining Mega Millions on January 31, 2010 immediately offered Megaplier to their players. The Megaplier continues to be drawn by Texas Lottery computers, as California does not offer the multiplier. Montana, offering Powerball before the expansion date, became the 24th lottery to offer the Megaplier, followed by Nebraska (the 25th), Oregon (the 26th), Arizona (as the 27th) and Maine (as the 28th lottery to offer the Megaplier option). After Colorado and South Dakota joined Mega Millions, this raised the number of lotteries offering the Megaplier to 37.
Mega Millions tickets bought with the Megaplier option, beginning September 12, 2010, automatically won $1 million (instead of $250,000) if the five white balls – but excluding the Mega Ball – are matched.
On March 13, 2010, New Jersey became the first Mega Millions participant (just before the cross-sell expansion) to produce a jackpot-winning ticket for Powerball after joining that game. The ticket was worth over $211 million annuity (the cash option was chosen). On May 28, 2010, North Carolina became the first Powerball member (just before the cross-selling expansion) to produce a jackpot-winning Mega Millions ticket after joining Mega Millions, with an annuity jackpot of $12 million.
In January 2012, Mega Millions' rival Powerball was altered; among the changes were a price increase of $1 for each play, as a result, a base game costs $2, or $3 with the Power Play option. At the time, there were no plans to change the price of a Mega Millions play, with or without the Megaplier (see below for the 2017 format change that includes the base price for a Mega Millions play to be raised to $2.) The price increase for playing Powerball was a major factor in Louisiana deciding to pursue joining Mega Millions, as that state's lottery joined Mega Millions on November 16, 2011.
October 2013 format change[edit]
The final 5/56 + 1/46 Mega Millions drawing was held on October 18, 2013; that night's jackpot of $37 million was not won. The first drawing under the revised 5/75 + 1/15 format—which saw the jackpot estimate "leap" to $55 million due to the change in the annuity structure—occurred on October 22, 2013. The minimum jackpot was then $15 million, with rollovers of at least $5 million. Second prize (5+0) became $1 million cash. In the revised format, players chose 5 of 75 white ball numbers, and the "Gold Ball" number out of 15.
The Megaplier option remained; the 5x multiplier was added.
Lower prize tiers (through October 18, 2013; and October 19, 2013-October 27, 2017) based on a $1 play:
Match 5+0: $250,000/$1 million
Match 4+MB: $10,000/$5,000
Match 4+0: $150/$500
Match 3+MB: $150/$50
Match 3+0: $7/$5
Match 2+MB: $10/$5
Match 1+MB: $3/$2
Match 0+MB: $2/$1
Payouts in California remained pari-mutuel.
The odds of winning or sharing a Mega Millions jackpot (2013-2017 version): 1 in about 258.9 million. The overall odds of winning a prize were 1 in 14.71, including the base $1 prize for a "Mega Ball"-only match.
Prizes and odds (2013-2017 version):
5 numbers plus the Mega Ball (5+1): 1 in 258,890,850
5 numbers but not the Mega Ball (5+0): 1 in 17,259,390
4+1: 1 in 739,688
4+0: 1 in 52,835
3+1: 1 in 10,720
3+0: 1 in 766
2+1: 1 in 473
1+1: 1 in 56
Mega Ball only: 1 in 21[12]
The odds for winning the $1 prize, 1 in 21, reflected the possibility of matching at least one of the white balls, as well as the Mega Ball.
The annuity—which was 20 annual payments (no cash option was available) when The Big Game began—changed from 26 equal yearly installments to 30 graduated annual payments (increasing 5 percent yearly) with the format change on October 19, 2013.
October 2017 format/price point change[edit]
On October 28, 2017, the price of a Mega Millions play doubled, to $2; the first drawing under the current price point was October 31, 2017. The Mega Millions double matrix changed, from 5/75 + 1/15 to the current 5/70 + 1/25.[13] The starting jackpot became $40 million, with minimum rollovers of $5 million. The "Megaplier" option (which again is not offered in California) was retained, with an adjustment to its multipliers. (The final jackpot for the $1 version was $30 million, which was not won; the initial jackpot for the new version would still be $40 million with a jackpot hit.)
Mega Millions prize tiers effective October 28, 2017 (changed amounts in boldface) for a $2 base play (except prizes won in California):
5+MB: Jackpot; starting jackpot raised to $40 million (annuity value)
5+0: $1,000,000 ($1,000,000)
4+MB: $10,000 ($5,000)
4+0: $500 ($500)
3+MB: $200 ($50)
3+0: $10 ($5)
2+MB: $10 ($5)
1+MB: $4 ($2)
0+MB: $2 ($1)
The new prize structure allocates roughly 75 percent of the prize pool for the jackpot; this is, in part, to facilitate the new Just the Jackpot option. The 2013-2017 version allocated about 68 percent towards the jackpot.
"Just the Jackpot" option[edit]
Each of the 46 Mega Millions participants, in preparation for the October 28, 2017 format change, were given the choice of offering a $3, two-game play (called "Just the Jackpot"). A player choosing this option is not eligible for any of the eight lower-tier prizes; therefore, the Megaplier option is not available for Just the Jackpot wagers.
These lotteries offered the "Just the Jackpot" option upon the format change: Georgia, Hoosier Lottery, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Kentucky has since added "Just the Jackpot", with other lotteries potentially adding it. Not known is whether a second series of playslips would be printed for lotteries offering "Just the Jackpot" beginning after the October 28, 2017 format change.
"Just the Jackpot" wagers and regular Mega Millions plays are printed on separate tickets. Most participating lotteries' wagers are terminal-generated; however, "Just the Jackpot" wagers in Kansas and Texas allow the player to choose their numbers, while Wisconsin players must ask for a terminal-generated ticket.
Record jackpots[edit]
The largest Mega Millions jackpot, advertised as $640 million at the time of the drawing (annuitized) or $462 million (cash value), was drawn on March 30, 2012. The initial estimate for that drawing (following the March 27 drawing, which was $363 million annuity) was $476 million (later increased to $500 million and again to $540 million); brisk ticket sales pushed the jackpot values, both annuitized (to $656 million) and the cash option ($474 million) higher. The amount spent on Mega Millions for drawings following its previous jackpot win, on January 24, 2012, was at least $1.5 billion.[14] three jackpot-winning tickets had been confirmed (Illinois, Kansas, and Maryland).[15]
Mega Millions' second-largest jackpot, $648 million, was for the December 17, 2013 drawing. Two winning tickets, one each from California and Georgia, were sold. The holder of the Georgia ticket claimed the next morning; they selected the cash option, which amounted to $173,819,742.50 before withholdings. The holder of the California ticket claimed on January 3, 2014. (The California ticket holder received an equal share, but potentially a larger cash-option amount, as California lottery winnings are exempt from state income tax)."[3][4][5][16] [17]
Mega Millions' third-largest jackpot, $540 million, was for the July 8, 2016 drawing. One ticket from Indiana won the jackpot; the winner chose the cash option.[18]
Mega Millions' fourth-largest jackpot, $533 million, was for the March 30, 2018 drawing. One ticket from New Jersey won the jackpot; Riverdale Lukoil South Gas Station sold the winning ticket. [19]
Mega Millions' fifth-largest jackpot, $414 million, was for the March 18, 2014 drawing. Two tickets, one each from Florida and Maryland, split the prize; both sets of winners chose the cash option, splitting $230.9 million (as noted below, interest rates change, resulting in different ratios between the cash values and annuity values of jackpots).
Mega Millions' sixth-largest jackpot annuity value ($390 million) was for the March 6, 2007 drawing. Two tickets, one each from Georgia and New Jersey, won $195 million (annuity value) each. The holders of each ticket also chose the cash option.
Versions of (The Big Game) Mega Millions[edit]
Versions of The Big Game and Mega Millions have used different matrices:
Start Date
5 white balls out of
Mega Balls
Jackpot odds
September 6, 1996 50 25 1:52,969,000
January 13, 1999 50 36 1:76,275,360
May 15, 2002 52 52 1:135,145,920
June 22, 2005 56 46 1:175,711,536
October 19, 2013 75 15 1:258,890,850
October 28, 2017 (current) 70 25 1:302,575,350
Megaplier[edit]
Mega Millions players have the option to activate a multiplier, called Megaplier, in 45 of its 46 jurisdictions; it is functionally similar to Powerball's Power Play; except the latter cannot multiply second prize by 5. (Neither Megaplier nor Power Play are offered in California because its state penal code distinguishes between a "lottery" in which the bank cannot be "broken", and a "banked game" whose bank theoretically could be broken; only a "lottery" was authorized by the state Lottery Act.) By adding $1 to a basic Mega Millions game, to $3, a player has an opportunity to multiply any non-jackpot prize by 2, 3, 4, or 5. The Megaplier is drawn by the Texas Lottery (before the cross-sell expansion on January 31, 2010, it was the only lottery to offer Megaplier), which is drawn by a random number generator (RNG). The odds for each Megaplier possibility are not uniform.[20]
Megaplier
Former odds (October 19, 2013 – October 27, 2017)
Current odds
2x 1:7.5 1:3
3x 1:3.75 1:2.5
4x 1:5 1:5
5x 1:2.5 1:15
Megaplier wagers made for drawings from September 12, 2010 through October 18, 2013 that won second prize (then $250,000) were automatically elevated to 4x, winning $1 million. This "guarantee" did not carry over to the following version of Mega Millions, although the $1 million second prize became $5 million if the Megaplier is 5x.
Winning and probability[edit]
Former Mega Millions odds (October 19, 2013 – October 27, 2017):[21]
Matches[22]
Prize
Approximate probability of winning
White balls (pool of 75) Mega Ball (pool of 15)
5 1 Jackpot[23] 1 in 258,890,850
5 0 $1 million 1 in 18,492,204
4 1 $5,000 1 in 739,688
4 0 $500 1 in 52,835
3 1 $50 1 in 10,720
3 0 $5 1 in 766
2 1 $5 1 in 473
1 1 $2 1 in 56
0 1 $1 1 in 21
The probability and odds can be taken into a mathematical perspective: The probability of winning the jackpot (through October 27, 2017) was 1:(75C5) x (15); that is: 75 ways for the first white ball times 74 ways for the second times 73 for the third times 72 for the fourth times 71 for the last white ball divided by 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1, or 5!, and this number is then multiplied by 15 (15 possible numbers for the "Megaball"). Therefore, (75 x 74 x 73 x 72 x 71)/ (5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1) x 15 = 258,890,850, which means any combination of five white balls plus the Megaball has a 1:258,890,850 chance of winning the jackpot. Similarly, the odds for second prize are 1:(75C5) x (15/14) = 1: 18,492,204 chance of winning. The overall probability of winning any prize was 1 in 14.7. If there are no jackpot winners for a specific drawing, the jackpot will keep increasing, however, the odds will still remain the same.
Payouts through October 18, 2013:
Matches[22]
Prize
Approximate probability of winning
White balls (pool of 56) Mega Ball (pool of 46)
5 1 Jackpot[23] 1 in 175,711,536 (56C5×46)[24][25]
5 0 $250,000 1 in 3,904,701 (56C5×46/45)[26]
4 1 $10,000 1 in 689,065 [27]
4 0 $150 1 in 15,313[28]
3 1 $150 1 in 13,781[29]
2 1 $10 1 in 844[30]
3 0 $7 1 in 306[31]
1 1 $3 1 in 141[32]
0 1 $2 1 in 74.8 (the probability for this prize was not 1:46, because there is the possibility of matching at least one of the "white" balls, which decreases the likelihood of matching only the "Mega Ball")[21]
Overall probabilities: 1 in 755 of winning any of the top six prizes,[21] 1 in 40 of winning any prize.[33]
In California, prize levels are paid on a parimutuel basis, rather than the fixed lower-tier amounts for winners in other Mega Millions jurisdictions. California's eight lower-tier Mega Millions prize pools are separate from those shared by the other 45 lotteries. California's second prize is a "secondary jackpot"; its payout sometimes exceeds $1 million cash, even though California does not offer the Megaplier.[34]
Payment options and claiming prizes[edit]
In Georgia, New Jersey, and Texas, players must choose, in advance, whether they wish to collect a jackpot prize in cash or annuity. Georgia and New Jersey winners can change an annuity ticket to cash should they be eligible for a jackpot share; however, the choice is binding in Texas. The other Mega Millions members allow the cash/annuity choice to be made after winning (usually 60 days after claiming the ticket), although in Florida the 60-day "clock" starts with the drawing in which the jackpot prize was won.
If a jackpot prize is not claimed within the respective jurisdiction's time limit, each of the 46 Mega Millions members get back the money they contributed to that jackpot. Each of the 46 lotteries have rules in regards to unclaimed prizes; most Mega Millions members set aside unclaimed winnings for educational purposes.[35][36]
In 2007, a $31 million prize went unclaimed in New York.[37] Many prizes of $250,000 each have been unclaimed, including several in Michigan for 2007 drawings.[38]
Mega Millions winners have either 180 days (California non-jackpot prizes only) or one year to claim prizes, including the jackpot (although some Mega Millions winners lose the right to collect a jackpot in cash if they wait more than 60 days after the drawing).
The minimum age to purchase a Mega Millions ticket is 18, except in Arizona, Iowa and Louisiana, where the minimum is 21, and in Nebraska; its minimum is 19. Generally (an exception is Virginia), minors can win on tickets received as gifts; the rules according to each Mega Millions member vary for minors receiving prizes.
Rules vary according to the applicable laws and regulations in the jurisdiction where the ticket is sold, and the winner's residence (e.g. if a New Jerseyan wins on a ticket bought near their workplace in Manhattan). Mega Millions winnings are exempt from state income tax in California; while Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington state, and Wyoming do not have an income tax. On the other hand, some residents of New York City and Yonkers, New York pay three levels of income tax, as these cities levy income taxes.
Drawings[edit]
Drawings are usually held at the studios of WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia.[1][39] The original host was WSB's chief meteorologist, Glenn Burns. Currently, most drawings are emceed by the full-time host of Georgia Lottery drawings, John Crow, with Brian Hooker the main substitute host. For larger jackpots, the drawing sometimes is moved to Times Square, with New York Lottery announcer Yolanda Vega co-hosting.
Before the January 31, 2010 cross-sell expansion, Mega Millions was the only multi-jurisdictional lottery whose drawings were carried nationally, instead of airing only on stations in participating jurisdictions. Chicago-based cable superstation WGN-TV simulcast Mega Millions drawings on its national WGN America feed immediately following WGN's 9pm (Central Time) newscast. Following the cross-sell expansion, WGN also began airing Powerball drawings nationally. WGN served as a default carrier of both major games where no local television station carried either multi-jurisdictional lottery's drawings. Both drawings were removed from WGN America in late 2014 when it ceased carrying WGN's newscasts.[40]
Two machines are used in each Mega Millions drawing. The model used for Mega Millions is the Criterion II, manufactured by Smartplay International of Edgewater Park, New Jersey. The balls are moved around by means of counter-rotating arms which randomly mix the balls. Individually, the five white balls, several seconds apart, drop through a hole in the bottom of the mixing drum.
Record jackpots (listed by cash value)[edit]
See also: Lottery jackpot records
Cash value (in millions USD) Annuity value (in millions USD)
Drawing date
Winner(s)
Description
$474 $656 March 30, 2012 3 (MD, KS, IL) World's second largest jackpot (cash or annuity)
$347.7[16] $648[5] December 17, 2013 2 (CA, GA) Second-largest annuity value
$240 $380 January 4, 2011 2 (ID, WA)
$233 $390 March 6, 2007 2 (GA, NJ)
$224 $400 March 18, 2014 2 (FL, MD)
$210 $336 August 28, 2009 2 (CA, NY) NY winner chose annuity (the cash/annuity choice made "when playing" required per then-NY Lottery rules)
$208.3 $330 August 31, 2007 4 (NJ, MD, TX, VA)
$197.5 $326 November 4, 2014 1 (NY) Sold in Middletown, Orange County [41]
$202.9 $319 March 25, 2011 1 (Albany, NY)
$180 $363 May 9, 2000 2 (IL, MI) Largest The Big Game jackpot
Revenue[edit]
Approximately 50% of Mega Millions sales is returned to players as prizes; the remainder is split (each lottery has different rules regarding these funds) among retailers, marketing, and operations, as well as the 46 jurisdictions offering the game; different lotteries uses the proceeds in different ways.[42]
Miscellany[edit]
In the aftermath of the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the legislature in Albany, fearing a monumental loss of revenue, passed legislation the following month, which was signed by Governor George Pataki, which included joining a multi-jurisdictional lottery game. Around the same time, for entirely different reasons, Ohio's governor also gave the green light to joining a multi-jurisdictional game. Both lotteries opted to join The Big Game, which, at the time, was offered in seven states. The added populations of the two new jurisdictions, in turn, led to a larger double matrix. The first machine continued to hold white 52 balls, while 16 gold balls were added in the second, meaning there were 52 numbers to pick from in both parts of each $1 game. On May 15, 2002, the game was renamed The Big Game Mega Millions; shortly after, it became just Mega Millions. Except for the 2010 cross-selling expansion, this was the only time The Big Game or Mega Millions simultaneously added more than one member.
In 2005, Mega Millions was the target of a mailing scam. A letter bearing the Mega Millions logo was used in a string of lottery scams designed to trick people into providing personal financial information by cashing bogus checks. The letter, which had been sent to people in several states via standard mail, included a check for what the scammers said was an unclaimed Mega Millions prize. If the check was cashed, it bounced, but not before the bank stamped it with a routing number and personal account information and sent it back to the fraudulent organization, providing them with the recipients' financial information.[43]
A budget impasse due to the 2006 New Jersey Government shutdown led to the temporary closing of its non-essential agencies on July 1, 2006. Among the casualties were the Atlantic City casinos and the New Jersey Lottery. Not only were New Jersey's in-house games (such as Pick-6) not drawn for about a week, but all New Jersey lottery terminals were shut down, meaning Mega Millions could not be played in New Jersey, even though Mega Millions was drawn as usual. A similar shutdown happened in Minnesota on July 1, 2011.
Elecia Battle made national headlines in January 2004 when she claimed that she had lost the winning ticket in the December 30, 2003 Mega Millions drawing.[44] She then filed a lawsuit against the woman who had come forward with the ticket, Rebecca Jemison. Several days later, when confronted with contradictory evidence, she admitted that she had lied.[45] Battle was charged with filing a false police report the following day. As a result of this false report, she was fined $1,000, ordered to perform 50 hours of community service, and required to compensate the police and courts for various costs incurred.[46]
The January 4, 2011 Mega Millions drawing drew attention for its similarity to "The Numbers," a sequence of six numbers that served as a plot device of the ABC drama series Lost. One such usage involved character Hugo "Hurley" Reyes playing the sequence in a similar "Mega Lotto" game, winning a nine-figure jackpot and subsequently experiencing numerous misfortunes in his personal life. The first three numbers (4, 8, 15) and mega ball (42) in the Mega Millions drawing matched the first three numbers and the final number (which Hurley also used as the "mega ball" number) in the Lost sequence. The last two numbers in the Mega Millions drawing did not match the last two numbers that were used in the scene. Those who played "The Numbers", including from quick-picks, won $150 ($118 in California) in a non-Megaplier game; $600 with the multiplier.[47]
The 12 original (before the 2010 cross-sell expansion) Mega Millions members have each produced at least one Mega Millions jackpot winner.
See also[edit]
Lottery jackpot records
Powerball
Notes[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b c d "Mega Millions FAQs". Megamillions.com. Retrieved 2013-12-17.
Jump up ^ "Mega Millions Official Home". Megamillions.com. Retrieved 2013-12-17.
^ Jump up to: a b "Mega Millions". Mega Millions. 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
^ Jump up to: a b "2 winning tickets in $636M Mega Millions drawing - CBS News". CBS News with contributions from Associated Press. 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
^ Jump up to: a b c "Historic mega-jackpot split by two tickets". Mega Millions. 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
Jump up ^ "Mega Millions Increases Final Jackpot to $656M - ABC News". Associated Press via ABC News. 2012-04-02. Archived from the original on 2012-04-04. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
Jump up ^ "Mega Power Lottery". Worldlottery.net. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
Jump up ^ "Mega Millions with Megaplier: Maine State Lottery". Mainelottery.com. 2013-09-24. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
Jump up ^ "California's First Mega Millions Jackpot Winners The Lucky Seven -- Claim Prize". Mega Millions. 2005-11-18. Archived from the original on 2013-01-21. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
Jump up ^ "Mega Millions Jackpot History". Megamillions.com. 2013-09-29. Archived from the original on 2013-09-29. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
Jump up ^ "Rocky Face man wins half of record $390M jackpot". Megamillions.com. Archived from the original on 2008-09-06. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
Jump up ^ [dead link] Bicker, Benjamin (2013-10-22). "MegaMillions | Lotto Results, Winning Numbers, News & More". Lotto-results-online.com. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
Jump up ^ [blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/274243/mega-millions-lottery-tickets-will-go-from-1-to-2/ Mega Millions lottery tickets will go from $1 to $2]
Jump up ^ Matt Stevens; Carol J. Williams (March 31, 2012). "Mega Millions mania leads to disappointment in California". Los Angeles Times.
Jump up ^ "Winning tickets for Mega Millions jackpot sold in Maryland, Illinois". CNN. 2012-03-31. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
^ Jump up to: a b "Georgia Mega Millions jackpot winner comes forward". Georgia Lottery via Mega Millions. 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
Jump up ^ "$324 million winner comes forward in California". California Lottery via Mega Millions. 2014-01-03. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
Jump up ^ [1]
Jump up ^ [2]
Jump up ^ "Mega Millions :: The official Web site of the Missouri Lottery". Molottery.com. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
^ Jump up to: a b c "How To Play". Mega Millions. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
^ Jump up to: a b Prizes are uniform in all Mega Millions jurisdictions, with the exception of California (where all prizes, including the jackpot, are pari-mutuel; payouts are based on sales and the number of winners of each prize tier.) All other Mega Millions members' second through ninth prizes are set amounts, although in rare cases they can be reduced.
^ Jump up to: a b If more than one play wins the jackpot in a given drawing, the prize is divided equally among 5+1 plays. Winners have one year to collect a jackpot share; for other prizes, the deadline also is one year, except in California, where it is 180 days. Other than in and Texas (see below), a jackpot winner has 60 days from either the drawing, or in some jurisdictions, after claiming, to choose cash or annuity. The relative value of actual cash jackpot share fluctuates. Jackpots began at $15 million (disbursed in 30 graduated annual payments if the annuity is chosen); the corresponding cash value fluctuates depending on interest rates.
Jump up ^ "(56 choose 5)*46". Google. 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
Jump up ^ Sal Khan. "Mega Millions Jackpot Probability". Khan Academy.
Jump up ^ ((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 5)*(51 choose 0)*45) - Google Search
Jump up ^ ((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 4)*(51 choose 1)) - Google Search
Jump up ^ ((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 4)*(51 choose 1)*45) - Google Search
Jump up ^ ((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 3)*(51 choose 2)) - Google Search
Jump up ^ ((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 2)*(51 choose 3)) - Google Search
Jump up ^ ((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 3)*(51 choose 2)*45) - Google Search
Jump up ^ ((56 choose 5)*46)/((5 choose 1)*(51 choose 4)) - Google Search
Jump up ^ Lotto Numbers
Jump up ^ "CA Lottery Regulations" (PDF). California Lottery. 2012-09-27. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
Jump up ^ kowens (2011-10-20). "Frequently Asked Questions". Calottery.com. Archived from the original on 2011-12-07. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
Jump up ^ "What Happens to Unclaimed Prizes?". Michigan.gov. 2010-02-01. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
Jump up ^ "Many major U.S. lottery prizes unclaimed". UPI.com. 2007-12-06. Archived from the original on 2008-02-22. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
Jump up ^ Michigan.gov , Lottery - Top Unclaimed Prizes
Jump up ^ "Mega Millions Drawing Time". Archived from the original on 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2013-12-18. 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesdays and Fridays
Jump up ^ Channick, Robert (December 12, 2014). "WGN America dropping Illinois Lottery drawings". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
Jump up ^ "The Megamillions Jackpot with 321 millions dollars win in New York stats".
Jump up ^ "Where does Mega Millions money go after the jackpot?". CBS News.
Jump up ^ "Mega Millions Logo Officials Warn of Lottery scams". ScamFraudAlert. 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
Jump up ^ "Women argue over 'lost' jackpot". BBC News. 2004-01-06. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
Jump up ^ "Midwest: Ohio: Apology For Lottery Claim". The New York Times. 2004-01-09. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
Jump up ^ "Midwest: Ohio: Lottery Tale Costs Her $6,596". The New York Times. 2004-04-07. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
Jump up ^ Bonner, Jessie et al. (2011-01-05). 2 winners for $380M lottery sold in Wash., Idaho[permanent dead link]. Associated Press. Retrieved 2011-01-05.
External links[edit]
Official website
Telemarketing and Telephone Services: Prizes & Sweepstakes on U.S. Federal Trade Commission website
New Spin On Sweepstakes Scams on U.S. Federal Trade Commission website
Preceded by
Powerball World's largest lottery jackpot
May 9, 2000 – February 18, 2006 Succeeded by
Powerball
Preceded by
Powerball World's largest lottery jackpot
March 30, 2012 – January 13, 2016 Succeeded by
Powerball
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