Mega Millions in California: The Ultimate Guide for Passionate Lottery Players
You can purchase Mega Millions tickets in California up until 7:45 p.m. PT on the nights of the Tuesday and Friday drawings. But there‘s a lot more California lottery lovers should know about playing this hugely popular game.
As a lottery analyst and content creator focused on helping fellow gaming enthusiasts win bigger, here‘s my in-depth guide to mastering Mega Millions in California…
Exact Purchase Deadline for Tickets in California
You must purchase your Mega Millions ticket by 7:45 p.m. PT to be included in that night‘s 8 p.m. drawing. Sales cut off exactly 15 minutes before the balls drop in Atlanta to select the winning numbers.
Any tickets bought after 7:45 p.m. PT will automatically rollover to the next drawing (Tuesday or Friday depending on the day).
I always recommend buying your tickets at least an hour early if possible, because some retailer locations stop selling at 7:30 p.m. or earlier to process orders before the strict cutoff. You don‘t want to miss out on a chance at the giant jackpot!
Comparing Mega Millions to Other Multi-State Lottery Games
Mega Millions is one of the "big two" multi-state lottery games along with Powerball. It‘s available for play in 45 states plus Washington DC and the US Virgin Islands.
Powerball has slightly better odds of hitting the jackpot at 1 in 292 million compared to roughly 1 in 302 million for Mega Millions. But Mega Millions holds the record for the largest lottery jackpot in world history – that epic $1.537 billion prize won in South Carolina back in 2018.
Both games are excellent for players focused on life-changing payouts over consistently winning small prizes.
Latest Jackpots and Number Frequencies for Mega Millions
As of January 2023, the Mega Millions jackpot sits at an estimated $360 million and rising with another drawing quickly approaching. To put the potential payout in perspective, if won at that level it would be the 8th largest Mega Millions prize ever!
Analyzing the frequency of past numbers drawn can help in deciding what to pick for your ticket. Here are the most and least common Mega Millions numbers over the game‘s 20+ year history:
Most Common Main Numbers
| Number | Times Drawn | Percentage of Drawings |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | 357 | 14% |
| 31 | 351 | 14% |
| 39 | 348 | 14% |
| 10 | 347 | 14% |
| 4 | 339 | 13% |
Most Common Mega Balls
| Number | Times Drawn | Percentage of Drawings |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 281 | 11% |
| 7 | 277 | 11% |
| 11 | 269 | 11% |
| 9 | 262 | 10% |
| 18 | 257 | 10% |
Least Common Numbers
Analyzing the least frequent numbers can also be useful for number picking strategies:
- Main Numbers: 65 (drawn 199 times), 43 (207 times)
- Mega Balls: 23 (drawn 193 times), 21 (drawn 205 times)
Use this draw history to make informed choices when playing Mega Millions for a strategic edge!
How to Play Mega Millions in California
Playing Mega Millions in California is just like any other state. Simply visit an authorized lottery retailer, select 5 main numbers between 1-70, and 1 Mega Ball between 1-25.
Each play costs $2. For an extra $1 you can activate the Megaplier to multiply non-jackpot prizes. I always go for the Megaplier option since it boosts the value of any lower tier wins!
You can choose your own numbers or go with Easy Pick and let the computer randomly select for you. Just don‘t forget to buy those tickets by 7:45 p.m. PT!
Claiming Prizes and Anonymity Concerns
If you‘re lucky enough to win the Mega Millions jackpot or any substantial prize, congratulations! Make sure to sign the back of your ticket and keep it somewhere very safe.
You‘ll need to complete a claim form which you can download online or pick up at any California Lottery district office. For jackpots over $50 million, you may need to travel to the California Lottery headquarters in Sacramento to process your claim.
Now for the tricky part – remaining anonymous if you win!
Unfortunately California does not allow lottery winners to stay anonymous. State law mandates the California Lottery release the first name, last initial, and location where the winning ticket was sold to the public.
Many financial experts recommend setting up a trust through an attorney to claim the money while shielding your full identity. An LLC also works but may incur more taxes. Consult with legal counsel to decide the best approach.
No matter what, resist going public until you have a solid plan to maintain financial security for yourself and loved ones!
Lottery Laws and Regulations in California vs Other States
It‘s useful to compare some of California‘s Mega Millions and lottery policies to rules in other participating states:
- Online sales of lottery tickets are legal in some states (Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Virginia) but prohibited in California. Retail remains the only way to purchase.
- California does not allow lottery winners to remain anonymous, but Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, and Ohio do uphold winner privacy.
- The tax withholding rate on lottery winnings in California is a whopping 37% for both state and federal. Some states like Florida and Texas do not tax lottery prizes at all!
Hopefully California eventually comes around on remote ticket sales and winner anonymity. But for now residents have no choice but to play by the rules.
Final Tips for Playing Mega Millions in California
My top tips for California lottery lovers playing Mega Millions:
- Buy tickets early to avoid missing purchase deadlines
- Consider number frequencies when picking combinations
- Always get the Megaplier for boosted non-jackpot prizes
- Carefully plan for financial & legal considerations if you hit the jackpot
- Use both individual numbers and Quick Pick to maximize odds
- Have fun and dream big! Somebody has to win it eventually.
That covers everything you need to know about playing Mega Millions lottery in California! Let me know if any questions come up on strategies, remaining anonymous when claiming prizes, or anything related to this incredible $1+ billion game.
Now get out there and start imagining what you‘d do with a nine-figure lottery windfall! At least one Californian will get to live that dream very soon. Maybe it will be you.
