Lotteries have been a popular form of gambling for hundreds of years. In this article, we’ll provide key information and details for an upcoming lottery drawing so that readers understand the process and can purchase tickets before the deadline if they wish to participate.
This article will cover the deadline to purchase tickets, ticket prices, prizes and odds of winning, taxes and annuities, the time and location of the drawing, how to claim prizes, what happens to unclaimed prizes, and tips to avoid lottery scams. With this comprehensive guide, readers will have all the details they need to make an informed decision about participating in the upcoming lottery drawing before ticket sales end.
Deadline for Entry
The deadline to purchase tickets for the next Mega Millions drawing is 10:45 p.m. EST on the night of the drawing according to the official Mega Millions website (https://www.megamillions.com/WhenToPlay.aspx). Mega Millions drawings are held at 11 p.m. EST on Tuesdays and Fridays. Keep in mind that while the deadline is 10:45 p.m. EST, local deadlines vary by state.
For example, the deadline in California is 7:45 p.m. PST according to the California Lottery website (https://www.calottery.com/play/draw-games/mega-millions). Since California is 3 hours behind EST, their local deadline converts to 10:45 p.m. EST. Other states like Colorado and Arizona also have earlier local deadlines that equate to 10:45 p.m. EST for the official Mega Millions deadline.
So in summary, the key deadline for purchasing Mega Millions tickets for the next drawing is 10:45 p.m. EST on drawing nights (Tuesdays and Fridays). However, local state deadlines may be a few hours earlier, so check your state’s lottery website to confirm your local cutoff time.
How to Purchase Tickets
There are a few different ways to purchase lottery tickets for the upcoming drawing:
In-Person: You can buy tickets at authorized lottery retailers, including many convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, and pharmacies. When purchasing in-person, you can ask for a “quick pick” where the numbers are randomly generated for you, or you can select your own numbers. Be sure to bring cash and a valid ID.
Online: Most states allow you to purchase lottery tickets online through the state lottery website or approved third-party websites. You’ll need to create an account and deposit funds to buy tickets online. This allows you to conveniently purchase tickets 24/7 without leaving home. Make sure to only use authorized online lottery sites. [1]
Mobile App: Many state lotteries have official mobile apps to purchase tickets. Download the app, register an account, and securely link a payment method to buy tickets right from your phone.
Phone: Some states allow you to order lottery tickets over the phone. Call the lottery’s toll-free number and provide your information to purchase tickets by phone using a linked bank account.
The deadline to purchase tickets varies by lottery but is usually 1-2 hours before the drawing. Check your state’s lottery website for the exact ticket sales cutoff time and the retail locations nearest you.
Ticket Price
A single Powerball ticket costs $2 per play, according to the Powerball Blog. Players can purchase multiple tickets on one bet slip to get a discount. For example, two plays cost $3, three plays cost $4, and so on up to five plays for $6. This provides a discount per ticket when buying multiple tickets on one slip.
There are various payment options available. Tickets can be purchased in cash from authorized retailers. Many lotteries also allow payment by debit card, credit card, or digital wallet at retail locations. When playing online, payments must be made electronically. Payment options include debit card, credit card, PayPal, and more depending on the lottery jurisdiction and online vendor.
Prizes and Odds
The grand prize for the Powerball lottery starts at $40 million and continues to grow until someone wins. The cash value option for the grand prize is typically around 60% of the advertised jackpot amount. For example, if the jackpot is $500 million, the cash option would be around $300 million before taxes (Source).
There are 8 other ways to win prizes in Powerball (Source):
- Match 5 white balls – $1 million (1 in 11,688,054 odds)
- Match 4 white balls + Powerball – $50,000 (1 in 913,129 odds)
- Match 4 white balls – $100 (1 in 36,525 odds)
- Match 3 white balls + Powerball – $100 (1 in 14,494 odds)
- Match 3 white balls – $7 (1 in 580 odds)
- Match 2 white balls + Powerball – $7 (1 in 701 odds)
- Match 1 white ball + Powerball – $4 (1 in 92 odds)
- Match Powerball only – $4 (1 in 38 odds)
The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9. While the chances of winning the jackpot are slim, secondary prizes provide frequent wins and help drive interest.
Taxes and Annuities
There are important tax implications to consider when winning the lottery. The IRS will withhold 24% of lottery winnings for federal taxes (Source: https://meetbeagle.com/resources/post/how-does-a-lottery-annuity-work). Winners may also owe additional federal and state income taxes depending on their total income and tax bracket.
Winners have the choice between receiving a lump sum payment or an annuity paid out over many years. An annuity spreads out payments over time, which can result in a smaller tax burden each year compared to a lump sum. However, taxes are only deferred with an annuity, not avoided. In total the tax obligation is the same either way. Winners should consult a tax professional to understand their options (Source: https://www.annuity.org/selling-payments/lottery/).
If the winner opts for annuity payments but passes away before all payments are made, the remaining payments go to their estate. Annuity payments are made in full regardless of the winner’s lifespan (Source: https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/info-2023/lottery-winners-payout-strategy.html).
Drawing Location and Time
The lottery drawings take place each Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The drawings are conducted at the Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee. To view the live drawings, visit the Florida Lottery’s official YouTube channel or website (https://www.flalottery.com/lotteryDrawings).
The Powerball drawings are also broadcast live from the Florida Lottery studio at the same day and time. You can watch the Powerball drawings on the official Powerball website (https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing).
It’s important to note the drawing times are always in Eastern Time. So viewers in other time zones will need to adjust accordingly to watch live.
How to Claim Prizes
To claim a prize, you must complete and submit a claim form, which can be found on your state lottery’s website or at authorized lottery retailers. This form requires personal information such as your name, address, and social security number for tax purposes and identity verification. You must sign the claim form to process your prize amount. According to the California Lottery, the claim form must be filled out completely and accurately to avoid delays.
The time limit for claiming prizes varies by state. For example, in California you have 180 days from the draw date to claim your prize, while in New York the deadline is one year from the draw date (NY Lottery). Review your state’s lottery rules to ensure you claim within the required timeframe. Prizes under a certain threshold may be claimed at authorized retailers, while larger prizes must be claimed at designated lottery offices. Failure to claim within the time limit means forfeiting your prize.
When submitting your claim, you must present the original winning ticket and valid photo ID. The lottery will verify the authenticity of the ticket through security features and barcode validation. This process confirms you are the rightful owner. Once validated, your prize payment will be processed according to the claim form instructions. Make sure to keep photocopies for your records.
Unclaimed Prizes
Prizes that go unclaimed after the winner fails to come forward within the required time period end up going back to the lottery jurisdiction. According to the Minnesota Lottery, unclaimed prize money must be returned to the prize pool for that particular game. Often, unclaimed prize funds are used to boost future jackpots or contribute to special promotional prizes.
Most lotteries also hold second chance drawings that give players another opportunity to win with non-winning tickets. For example, the Illinois Lottery holds regular loyalty drawings where non-winning scratch tickets can be entered for a chance to win cash and other prizes. Non-winning tickets for draw games like Powerball and Mega Millions may also qualify for second chance contests in some states.
Overall, unclaimed lottery prizes underscore the importance of signing tickets immediately after purchase and thoroughly checking them to avoid missing out on any windfall. While second chance contests provide a slight reprieve, they are no replacement for remaining vigilant about claiming any jackpots or sizable prizes won.
Scams and Safety
Lottery and sweepstakes scams are unfortunately common, so it’s important to be vigilant. According to the DC Attorney General, you should follow these rules:
- Do not respond to unsolicited contacts about lotteries or sweepstakes.
- Never send money to pay fees or taxes to claim a prize.
- Do not give out personal information like bank account details.
The Federal Trade Commission notes scammers will use official looking names, urgent sounding deadlines, and requests for personal details to try to scam you. Other warning signs according to Western Union are:
- Being contacted about a prize you didn’t enter.
- Requests to pay fees before receiving your prize.
- Spelling and grammar errors.
- Requests to wire money.
The bottom line is never send money to someone promising lottery winnings. Official lotteries do not require fees upfront. Check directly with the lottery organization if you receive a notice about winnings.