Check out the luckiest states in the lottery
USA TODAY’s Fernando Cervantes takes a look at the states with the most Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots.
Dreaming of winning the Mega Millions prize that has grown to $533 million? If you want to keep your winnings low, you might want to check your state laws before planning your splurge.
Lottery winners in the past have learned, sometimes the hard way, the value of anonymity when winning large prizes. Fears of robbery, greedy family and friends, scammers, mismanagement and unwanted attention are among the concerns that keep some big winners from going public. Lawmakers have recognized this dilemma in recent decades, resulting in a handful of states adjusting their privacy laws.
There are only a limited number of places that allow complete anonymity without stipulations. Some require players to earn a certain amount of money before protection begins.
Before allocating your dream winnings to a vacation or shopping trip, check the list below to make sure your identity is safe in your state.
Mega Millions: See which states allow lottery winners to remain anonymous
More than a dozen states allow winners to receive prizes anonymously. In some areas, such as Delaware and Michigan, any winner can remain anonymous. In other states, such as Arizona and Virginia, it depends on the amount won.
Only 10 states allow true anonymity without stipulations, including Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Wyoming.
Countries that allow some form of anonymity include:
When is the next Mega Millions drawing?
The next Mega Millions drawing will be held on Tuesday, March 10th at 11:00 PM ET.
How to play Mega Millions
To win Mega Millions, you need to select a total of six numbers and hope that the number drawn matches the number you selected.
When purchasing a ticket, you can select the number yourself, do a “quick pick” where the computer randomly generates a number, or ask the cashier. Once you have your ticket, choose six numbers. Five of the numbers will be white balls from 1 to 70. Gold Mega Balls range from 1 to 24.
As of April 2025, new Mega Millions tickets include built-in multipliers that increase non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10x.
Previously, in some states, multipliers known as megapliers were available for an additional fee. Similarly, the “Just the Jackpot” feature available in some states has been discontinued.
Where to buy lottery tickets
Lottery tickets are sold at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
