Even if the odds of winning the grand prize are only about 1 in 290.5 million, this inflated number certainly increases the incentive to buy a ticket.

If you’re concerned about the odds, you can go to your local corner, gas station, or grocery store and play the lottery. If it’s your first time tossing a $5 bill into a ring, the process may seem like some kind of impromptu math lesson. Don’t worry. For better or worse, this game of chance requires minimal calculations.

Here’s what you need to know when playing the Mega Millions lottery.

“Please be quiet:” Here’s what you need to know and do if you win the Mega Millions jackpot

How old do I have to be to buy Mega Millions tickets?

You must be old enough to legally gamble in your state.

In most states, you must be 18 years of age or older to purchase lottery tickets. However, the following states require you to be a little older to buy or redeem lottery tickets:

Google searches for “will gas prices stay the same” increased by 80% on Monday afternoon, March 9, as the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the U.S. rose to $3.47, according to the AAA Auto Club. That’s up from an average of $2.99 ​​a week ago, on March 2, and a month ago, on February 9, the organization said.

Learn more about rising gas prices: As past oil price hikes show, President Trump’s “small price” could be long-lasting.

The number of Google searches for the phrase “Will gas prices go up tomorrow” also increased 110% on March 9 compared to March 8, the website said.

Patrick de Haan, head of oil analysis at GasBuddy, said in a post on X that gas prices are likely to continue rising as the war continues.

According to Powerball, the jackpot has been won nearly 200 times since the lottery’s inception in 1992. Currently, 48 lotteries in the United States participate in Powerball games, but five states do not offer Powerball games: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.

Of the 48 lotteries, the top five states with the most winners include Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Monday’s drawing comes one week after one lucky person in Arkansas won a $251 million jackpot on Monday, March 2nd. Once winners receive their prize, they will have the option of receiving an annuity payment or a lump sum payment of $118 million. No one has won the jackpot at this time.

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.

“Please be quiet:” Here’s what you need to know and do if you win the Mega Millions jackpot

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.

When the stock market falls off a cliff, the natural urge may be to panic and sell. There’s nothing more alarming than watching your 401(k) sink into the red with no bottom in sight.

But panic selling violates two or three basic rules of investing: buy stocks when prices are low and sell when prices are high. Don’t make impulsive movements. Stick to your plan.

Here are some rules to remember when markets are turbulent.

Don’t try to time the market

It may sound appealing to take cash out of the stock market when the index is falling, avoid an economic downturn, and reinvest it when the market bottoms out.

Now might be your chance.

Hunter S. Thompson’s iconic red Chevrolet Caprice convertible, known as the “Red Shark,” is currently up for auction at Christie’s in New York as part of the Jim Irsay Collection. Irsay is the former owner of the Indianapolis Colts who passed away in May 2025. His collection includes more than 100 highly unusual pieces of American history and pop culture.

Here’s what you need to know about the Hunter S. Thompson convertible going up for auction.

What is the “Red Shark”? Why is this car famous?

“Red Shark” is the affectionate nickname given to journalist and author Thompson’s 1973 Chevrolet Caprice convertible. Thompson is the author of numerous books and articles, including “The Rum Diary,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” and “The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved.”

In its latest survey of consumer expectations, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York announced that expectations for inflation three and five years out will remain stable at 3%, while expected inflation one year from now will fall to 3% from 3.1% in January.

The New York Fed survey, released on Monday, March 9, was conducted from February 2 to 28. As a result, it does not capture the public’s reaction to soaring oil prices as a result of President Donald Trump’s war with Iran, which has caused massive disruption to global energy supplies.

The large increases in energy prices we have seen so far are almost certain to push up overall inflation, which is already high, and may well lead the public to a less favorable view of the outlook for price pressures in the coming years.

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the United States on Monday, March 9th was $3.47, according to the AAA Auto Club. That’s up from an average of $2.99 ​​a week ago, on March 2, and a month ago, on February 9, the organization said.

The state with the highest average gasoline price on March 9 was California, with an average price of $5.20 per gallon. The state with the lowest average gas prices as of March 9 was Oklahoma, where drivers paid an average of $2.92 per gallon for gas.

Similarly, on Monday, March 9, the price of a barrel of crude oil hovered around $100, according to OilPrice.com.