WHAT
IS BIG GAME MEGA MILLIONS
Big Game Mega Millions is a multi-state Lottery game
with BIG Jackpots. Nine states participate: Georgia,
Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey,
New York, Ohio, and Virginia. In September 2002, Washington
will join in as the tenth member state.
By
teaming up together, the member State Lotteries
are able to offer players Jackpots that start at
US$10 million. The Jackpots grow until someone wins.
Jackpots have the potential to grow as high as US$500
million or more. In fact, Big Game (the previous
version of Mega Millions) holds the record for the
largest Lottery Jackpot ever paid in the United
States: US$366 million!
On
average, 35% of all Big Game Mega Millions ticket
sales are dedicated to the beneficiary Government
programs of each participating state. Approximately
50% of every dollar wagered goes back to the players
in the form of prizes, and approximately 5% goes
to retailers who sell tickets. The remainder is
used for administrative costs. Please note that
each member state is different, and may have different
rules as to the exact disposition of Lottery revenue.
Unlike
some multi-state or multi-country lotteries that
have central offices, many Big Game Mega Millions
duties are shared by each member state as part of
its membership in the game. While most accounting
is handled by each member state individually, key
duties such as projecting Jackpots, budgeting and
expenditures, settlements of draw and wagering data,
financial settlements (prize expense shares and
banking/cash settlements), the monitoring of draw
data and statistics, public relations, draw show
production and broadcasting, technical duties (i.e.
software development) and legal duties are all shared.
BIG GAME MEGA MILLIONS HISTORY
The Lottery Directors of the original member states
of Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan
and Virginia created The Big Game in 1996. Sales
for the game began in the previously mentioned states
on August 31, 1996. The first draw took place on
September 6, 1996.
After
the successful growth of the game in 1997, a Tuesday
draw was added in February 1998 and players were
given a larger numbers matrix to choose from and
a lump sum or "cash option" payout in
January 1999. The latest change occurred in May
1999 when New Jersey was added as the seventh Big
Game State.
Starting
from the draw of Friday, May 17, 2002, several additional
changes took place: New York and Ohio joined the
game to increase the number of member states to
nine, the prize structure was changed, the number
pools were changed (which altered the odds of winning),
and the game was renamed Big Game Mega Millions.
DRAWS
Big Game Mega Millions draws are held Tuesday and
Friday nights at 11:00 PM EST by the Georgia Lottery
in Atlanta.
Who
can play Big Game Mega Millions?
You must be 18 years or older to play Mega Millions
or any other U.S. State Lottery.
When are Big Game Mega Millions Draws held?
The Big Game Mega Millions winning lottery numbers
are drawn each Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM Eastern
Time.
Where are Big Game Mega Millions Draws held?
Draws are conducted at the studios of WSB-TV, Atlanta,
Georgia, USA.
MATCH PRIZE ODDS
5 + 1 Jackpot 1 in 135,145,920
5 + 0 $175,000 1 in 2,649,920
4 + 1 $5,000 1 in 575,089
4 + 0 $150 1 in 11,276
3 + 1 $150 1 in 12,502
2 + 1 $10 1 in 833
3 + 0 $7 1 in 245
1 + 1 $3 1 in 152
0 + 1 $2 1 in 88
If I should win the Jackpot, do I have the option
of remaining anonymous as far as the public and
the media are concerned?
Normally, in most States, lottery winner information
is in the public domain; therefore it is public
information. Publicized information normally includes
the Jackpot winner's name, city, country, game in
which they won, date won, and the amount of the
prize.
If
you are playing Mega-millions through OSA, however,
you have the option to retain your anonymity, as
our accredited Lottery agent will be claiming the
prize on your behalf.
How can I be sure my prize money will be remitted
to me? What if I win a multi-million dollar Jackpot,
and your Lottery Agent in the USA runs off with
my winnings?
OSA has been entering overseas players into Government
Lotteries, and collecting and remitting their prize
money (including a UK National Lottery Jackpot of
US$24.1 Million in January 2002!) since 1988. There
has never been any delay in the remittance of prize
money throughout the history of the company - and
there never will be.
If,
however, you win a multi-million dollar Jackpot,
and wish to be completely prudent, you can always
choose to travel to the U.S. and claim your prize
in person. OSA will lend assistance and service,
but travel costs will be at your own expense.
What determines the size of the Jackpot?
The Jackpot starts at a minimum of $10 million.
For every consecutive draw in which there is no
winner, the Jackpot is increased in proportion to
ticket sales. When the Jackpot becomes massive in
size, this is likely to be due to increased ticket
sales generated by the publicity. After a Jackpot
is claimed, it is reset to the minimum $10 million
level.
Where do lottery profits go?
Each participating Big Game Mega Millions state
has its own laws regarding the disposition of lottery
profits. Typically, lottery profits will be distributed
to educational establishments and schools, treatment
programs, administrative/operating expenses, and
local causes.
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