How to Play Mega Millions in Texas
Want to play Mega Millions? You can enter by visiting any Texas Lottery retailer or by using a lottery courier. To choose your numbers over the Internet, simply visit our Tickets page.
In order to enter Mega Millions, you must select five numbers between 1 and 70 plus a Mega Ball from 1 to 25.
Not too sure which numbers to pick? On your ticket, mark the “QP” box and the terminal will give you a random selection of numbers. You can also ask your lottery retailer for a “Quick Pick” ticket. If you play online, you can use the Mega Millions number generator and you’ll get a random set of numbers in just a few seconds.
A Mega Millions ticket is $2 per play, while the Megaplier option can be added for $1 per play.
Draws take place at approximately 10:00 PM CT. You need to buy your tickets before the cut-off time of 9:45 PM CT on draw nights.
Multi-Draw Option
You can enter the same set of numbers in more than one drawing. All you need to do is mark the “Multi-Draw” box to play up to 10 consecutive drawings.
Megaplier Option
If you want to increase your non-jackpot prize by 2x, 3x, 4x or 5x times, you can play the Megaplier feature for an extra $1.
The Megaplier number is drawn before the main draw and is taken from a pool of 15 balls. From these balls, there are five worth 2x, six worth 3x, three worth 4x, and only one 5x ball.
The Megaplier prizes range from $4 if you match just the Mega Ball on a 2x Megaplier, up to $5 million if you match five numbers with a 5x Megaplier.
Jackpot Payment Options
The grand prize can be paid out either as annuity or cash. On your Mega Millions ticket, you can mark “30 ANNUAL PAYMENTS” or the “CASH VALUE OPTION” to indicate how you’d like to receive your winnings.
If you want to get your prize in 30 installments over 29 years, mark “30 ANNUAL PAYMENTS”.
If you want to receive your win as a single payment of the present cash value of the jackpot prize, mark “CASH VALUE OPTION”. You cannot change the payment option at a later date.
Go to the Odds and Prizes page to learn more about the Mega Millions jackpot, plus the other ways to win.
Just the Jackpot
Just the Jackpot is an option that is available via its own special playslip. You still pick five main numbers from 1 to 70 and a Mega Ball from 1 to 26, but the difference is that you must play either two boards or four.
If you play enter two sets of numbers, you get your ticket at a discounted price of $3 instead of $4. Play four boards and the total cost is just $6.
Just the Jackpot wagers are only eligible to win the jackpot and no other prizes. If you match five numbers without the Mega Ball, for example, you win nothing.
Another option is to ‘Play It Again’, where you can take an old ticket from the last 30 days to a retailer and get a new ticket with all the same selections. The cost of the new ticket matches the original play.
When to check the winning numbers?
You can check the Mega Millions winning numbers for the draws you entered on our Numbers page. For older results, you can visit Past Numbers for draws held in the last six months or Archive pages for all the winning numbers drawn in certain years.