Mega Millions - How to Play the Mega Millions Lottery on WGN-TV in Chicago

If you're not familiar with the Mega Millions lottery, it's a multi-jurisdictional lottery that's offered in 45 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. It's also broadcast on cable channel WGN, and your chances of winning are one in 24. Read on to find out more about the Mega Millions lottery and how you can play. If you win, you could become a multi-millionaire!

Mega Millions is an American multi-jurisdictional lottery game

The US Mega Millions is an American multi-jurisdictionally operated lottery game. MegaMillions is played in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and costs $2 a play. The jackpot has a minimum advertised prize of $40 million and rolls over when no winning ticket is drawn. The game originated in 1996 and has since grown to be available in 46 jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia, Maryland, Illinois, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It has a jackpot that continues to grow by $5 million each time it rolls over.

The winning numbers are selected by two machines. One of them is called Criterion II and is manufactured by Smartplay International. The two machines move balls by means of counter-rotating arms and mix them randomly. Then, the machine drops five white balls several seconds apart through a mixing drum. The five winning numbers are then drawn. The winner is the one whose ticket contains the winning numbers.

The US state governments have a role in the success of MegaMillions. In September 2002, Washington joined the game, followed by Texas and California. The last addition to the game, in May 2002, was Ohio. The state also joined in May 2002. In December 2003, Montana joined the group. After this, New Hampshire joined. On March 7, 2010, the lottery game changed its name to MegaMillions.

It is played in 45 states

The game is drawn twice a day, on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. It is operated by a consortium of 12 original state lotteries. In Georgia, New Jersey, and Texas, players must choose cash or annuity in advance. Once you win, you can change your ticket from annuity to cash, but you must wait 60 days before you can do so.

Mega Millions is played in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. When the game first launched in August 1996, six states took part. It was initially known as The Big Game. Below is a table listing the number of jackpot winners in each state. The table is updated shortly after the winning location is announced. You can view the latest Mega Millions jackpot winners by state by visiting the website below.

If you win the Mega Millions jackpot, you'll be required to file a federal income tax return. You'll pay 25 percent federal tax on winnings over $5,000. Winnings of less than $5 million are generally exempt from taxes. State taxes may also apply, depending on your location. These rates are listed in the table above. Before making any financial decisions, seek advice from a professional financial advisor.

It is broadcast on cable channel WGN

WGN-TV is a cable channel in Chicago that is known for its Sunday morning newscasts, and they have recently begun airing the Mega Millions game show on Thursday nights. Since the show is shorter than other game shows, you can also watch it online. However, you should know that the Illinois Lottery has to find a new broadcast outlet for the game show as the contract with WGN-TV is set to expire in June.

For viewers in Kentucky, there is no local WGN affiliate listed on the lottery's website. Instead, look for WGN/NewsNation. While there are several other television stations in the Chicago area, you'll need to find a cable channel in your area to watch the Mega Millions drawing live. If you live in Massachusetts, however, Mega Millions isn't broadcast on television.

WGN-TV is owned by Tribune Broadcasting. In December 2013, Tribune purchased Local TV, which included Fox affiliate WITI in Milwaukee and ABC affiliate WQAD-TV in the Quad Cities. The two stations have shared content and news stories. WGN-TV is also affiliated with WGN-TV's sister stations. In addition to broadcasting Mega Millions on WGN-TV, the channel carries the game on local affiliates as well.

WGN-TV produces topical and non-news programs. Popular programs air on WGN-TV, including People to People, hosted by Micah Materre. Adelante, Chicago features feature segments and topical discussions focused on the Hispanic community. The channel also telecasts the live performances of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In addition to the Mega Millions, WGN-TV airs Chicago's Best.

It has a 1 in 24 chance of winning

While you may be a die-hard fan of Mega Millions, you probably have no idea that you have a 1 in 24 chance of winning the jackpot. In fact, if you did win, you'd have a one in 302,575,350 chance of winning the jackpot. This is a staggering statistic. In other words, you have a one in thirty2-four chance of winning the jackpot - or any prize for that matter.

To calculate your odds of winning the Mega Millions lottery, you must have a ticket purchased by an adult. Mega Millions prizes vary by state, but California's payout is the most generous. A gold Mega Ball is the most likely to win, and matching a gold Mega Ball would result in a $57,800 prize for a $2 ticket. You have a one in 37 chance of matching your lucky number with the gold Mega Ball, but you're better off buying multiple tickets and playing all four numbers.

It is available in 44 states

As of June 2019, the Mega Millions lottery is played in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The minimum jackpot amount is $40 million, and winners can choose to receive payments over 30 years or take immediate payouts. While this is the most popular option, it is not suitable for everyone. Mega Millions winners can choose to receive the full prize amount in cash, which is not as much as the instant payout.

You must be at least 18 years old to play the Mega Millions lottery. Megapliers are available in most states and add a multiplier to non-jackpot prizes. You can choose your own numbers, or allow the retailer to choose them for you. The Mega Millions jackpot continues to increase until someone wins it. In March 2019, a South Carolina winner claimed the $1.537 billion jackpot. If you are interested in playing the Mega Millions lottery, you can find more information about participating states, and their winning amounts.

Mega Millions is available in 44 states, and the jackpot is based on a random draw of five numbers between one and 75. In order to win the Mega Millions jackpot, you must match at least five numbers, one of which is the Mega Ball. In addition, there are bonus drawings throughout the day. If you are fortunate enough to win, Mega Millions players can choose to receive cash or annuity payouts within 60 days.

It has a cash option

If you win the jackpot in the Mega Millions lottery, the cash option can be a great option for your financial future. You can choose to take the cash option and receive the prize in lump sum, or you can choose to have it paid out in 29 annual payments of 5% larger amounts. The cash option also gives you the opportunity to invest in higher-interest opportunities. After taxes and other costs, the cash option will leave you with $218,204,928.

You can claim your prize in lump sum or in annual installments. If you've won the jackpot, you'll have 180 days to claim your prize. You'll have 60 days to choose your payment method. You can purchase up to ten consecutive drawings of Mega Millions. However, you can't advance play with Mega Millions. This lottery is not suitable for people who have busy schedules. You can only purchase one ticket at a time, but you can buy tickets for up to ten consecutive drawings.