Мега миллионы

Why is the cash option different than the advertised jackpot?

The Mega Millions jackpot is an estimated 29-year annuity value, with a total 30 payments (the first payment happens right away, followed by 29 annual payments).  When players choose
the annuity option for their prize, the state lottery pays the prize out over 29 years (30 payments) by
buying U.S. Government Treasury Securities, which earn interest and mature annually over
the 29 years.  That annual return is the amount the winners receive each year for the
29 year period.  With the cash option, the state lottery will take the amount of
money that would have been invested and will pay it directly to the winner in one
payment.  Both payment options have federal and applicable state taxes deducted
from them, although with an annuity option you pay taxes gradually on each annual payout, not all at once like with the cash option.

Штаты, участвующие в розыгрыше на данный момент и в будущем

Штаты Алабама, Аляска, Гавайи, Миссисипи, Невада и Юта на данный момент не проводят на своей территории лотерей согласно законодательству или конституционному мандату. Пуэрто Рико проводит на своей территории лотерейные розыгрыши, однако не участвует в лотереи Мега Миллионы и, согласно полученным данным в октябре 2013 года, не планирует присоединиться к розыгрышу. 14 марта 2013 года Вайоминг стал 44 штатом, установившим лотерею, однако билеты не продаются на его территории.

Как проводятся розыгрыши

В розыгрыше Мега Миллионов используются два лотерейных аппарата. Модель, выбранная организаторами Мега Миллионов — Критерион II (Criterion II), производства компании Смартплэй Интернэшнл (Smartplay International), находящейся в городе Эджвотер Парк, штат Нью Джерси. Шары перемешиваются при помощи двух вращающихся в противоположном направлении лопастей. 5 белых шаров один за другим выпадают в отверстие под перемешивающим барабаном. Начиная с 19 октября 2013 года в розыгрыше участвует 75 белых шаров в первом аппарате и 15 Мега Шаров, окрашенных в золотой цвет, во втором аппарате.

Is it legal to play the lottery over the Internet?

The state lotteries and MUSL (the organization that runs Powerball) are all very firm in their assertion that playing the lottery in any manner over the Internet is illegal.  We are not lawyers and can’t provide legal advice, but we are not so sure about their position.  Their absolute certainty that it is illegal may have more to do with not wanting to lose control of the player interaction, and less to do with a firm legal footing.

When we assess the legality, we look at what has actually happened in court cases.  There have been people in the past who purchased a lottery ticket from an Internet Web site, subsequently won the jackpot, and the lottery attempted to block them from receiving the jackpot.  In each case, the winners took the lottery to court and won.  They received their jackpot as if they walked into a store and purchased a ticket.

You must keep in mind that any type of Internet-based lottery service is not risk-free.  From a legal standpoint, the services are dealing in loopholes in the current law, and the US Congress has taken steps to make those loopholes tighter, particularly in trying to prevent banks and credit cards from allowing Internet payments for lottery services.  But there is a much bigger threat when you use an Internet lottery service: getting ripped off.

By not making a purchase in a store, you may be doing something worse than throwing your money away: you may be helping to keep a scam operation running.  Stay away from anything referring to a «syndicate».  We are not aware of any site using that terminology that is not a scam.  Also beware of sites that state «Insured by ___» at the bottom.  It is like saying «We don’t really buy lottery tickets, but trust us, you’ll get paid if you win.»  Have you ever heard of an insurance company paying out a $200 million Powerball jackpot?  We haven’t.

We do allow some advertising on USA Mega for lottery services.  We recommend that USA residents stay away from such services, and make your purchases in a store.  The ads are directed at non-USA residents, who may not have the online lottery restrictions that exist in the USA.

Правила лотереи MegaMillions

По условиям игры, участник выбирает 5 основных шаров с номерами от 1 до 75, а также дополнительный «Мега шар» с номером от 1 до 15.

Участники игры Мега Миллион от избранных штатов, имеют право взять еще дополнительный шар, называемый Megaplier, в случае угадывания его номера, сумма выигрыша возрастает в разы.

Установлено пять главных выигрышных категорий. Джек-пот является максимальным выигрышем, и для того, чтобы его получить, необходимо предугадать пять основных номеров, а также число на мега шаре. Самый маленький приз может выиграть любой игрок MegaMillions, который угадывает 1 номер.

Для процедуры розыгрыша лотереи применяются 2 барабана, в первом крутятся основные шары, с номерами от 1 до 56. Пять шаров из этой массы выпадают случайным образом. Во втором барабане крутятся мега шары (их 46).

Во всех штатах, кроме Калифорнии, установлен типовой размер призовой суммы в любой категории. Калифорния обособлена по причине того, что в этом штате размер приза напрямую зависит от прибыли с продаж билетов. Если участник MegaMillions  выигрывает джек-пот, он имеет право взять сразу сумму всего приза (заметим, что сумма приза в этом случае, будет меньше суммы выигрыша) или дать согласие на получение выигрыша по частям (на каждый выигранный миллион, победителю положено $38,5 тыс. в год).

What is the Megaplier?

The Megaplier is an option that is currently offered in all states that sell Mega Millions tickets except California.  For an extra $1.00 per ticket you can increase your non-jackpot prize winnings by 2, 3, 4, or 5 times.

The Megaplier is not available in California because of state law that requires all lottery prizes to be paid out on a pari-mutuel basis.

The Megaplier multiplier number is chosen at random by computerized drawing in Texas at around the same time the Mega Millions numbers are drawn in Georgia.  The Megaplier was invented by the Texas Lottery as an add-on available only in that state, but was later available in all of the Mega Millions states except California starting in 2010.  The Megaplier continues to be drawn in Texas.

A player must choose the Megaplier option when they buy their Mega Millions ticket, and then the ticket must match one of the 9 Ways to Win (except the jackpot) before the multiplier takes effect.  Megaplier costs an extra $1 per play.  See How to Play Mega Millions for more information.

Can non-US citizens play? What if a non-US citizen wins?

Yes, non-US citizens can legally play, and non-US citizens are eligible to win any prize offered in the game.

If a non-US citizen wins, they would claim their prize in the same manner that a US citizen would, but the taxes withheld would be different. For example, federal withholding for non-US citizens is a flat 30%.  Also, individual states may have different tax structures for non-US citizens than they do for US citizens.  Depending on which country the person is a legal resident of, there also may be tax treaties between the US and that other country which could be helpful in offsetting whatever the US tax liabilities are.

In short, non-US citizens can play and win Mega Millions.  If a non-US citizen wins a large prize, they will be responsible for some amount of tax, which in the end will probably be an amount similar to what a US citizen would pay, but there are so many possible variations with international tax codes that you’ll need to consult with a local tax attorney if you need to know a precise amount of tax liability.