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.
How can I find out the Latest Jackpot Win in Big Game Mega Millions?
Just go to http://www.lotteryshop.com and you'll find the current Jackpot at the top of the page. If you sign up for the Jackpot Alert service, you will also receive regular email alerts whenever the Mega Millions Jackpot is at US$40 Million and above.
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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