USA Mega Lotto jackpot reaches $1.5 billion as Australians encouraged to enter Wednesday’s draw
Australians have the chance to be in the running to win $A1.5 billion as the USA Mega Lotto draws again this week.
The lotto prize has jackpotted to $US1 billion ($A1.5 billion) after there was no big winner in Saturday’s draw — and Australians are now being encouraged to try their luck.
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Wednesday’s international draw operates as the Mega Millions jackpot in the US, but eager Australians can have a chance at winning big through The Lottery Office.
“When our customers win, we pay them the exact amount of the winnings we collect from the overseas lottery,” The Lottery Office CEO Jaclyn Wood said.
How to play
The USA Mega Lotto competition operates as a local version of the US-based Mega Millions lottery.
Australians can buy tickets through The Lottery Office, which will then purchase a matching ticket in the international Mega Millions draw. Entries close 10am AEST Wednesday.
The Lottery Office says players have a 1 in 24 chance of winning a prize, and any lucky winners are paid the exact amount collected from the overseas lottery ticket.
Each game in the USA Mega Lotto costs $7, and to enter, players pick five numbers from a pool of one to 70, plus another number from a pool of one to 25.
Players will need to pick the winning five numbers plus the Mega Ball drawn on the day to get their hands on the $A1.5 billion jackpot.
The Lottery Office says Australians can pick the numbers themselves or have them generated at random.
“All number sets that you play have the exact same chance of winning a prize as any other, so statistically it doesn’t really matter how your numbers are chosen,” it says.
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What happens if you win
Australians have a chance to win a $25 million minimum jackpot, with eight minor prize divisions also offering winnings of up to $1.4 million.
“With a one-in-24 chance that any entry will win, the more entries you have, the more likely it is that you’ll score a prize,” The Lottery Office says.
Winners who score prizes below $10,000 are paid the same amount directly into their Lottery Office account immediately after the draw is processed.
Those who score $10,000 or more will be contacted directly by The Lottery Office.
For jackpot prizes, lucky winners can choose to take a lump sum or receive one immediate cash boost and then 29 annual payments.
If you’re concerned about your gambling or the gambling of a friend or family member, log on to Gambling Help Online or make contact via phone on 1800 858 858.
You can access online counselling as well as services in your state or territory and support for family and friends.