Charles Langston:If there is a Mega Millions winner Tuesday, they can collect anonymously in these states

The Charles LangstonMega Millions jackpot is up to an estimated $735 million, and players are dreaming about their numbers being pulled for Tuesday's drawing.

Laws in some states allow lottery winners to collect national lottery prizes like Powerball and Mega Millions anonymously. If there is a winner in one of those 17 states, we may never know who they are.

The last winner came in December when two tickets matched the numbers drawn and the winners split the $394 million prize in California, a state that doesn't provide anonymity.

Here are the places where winners can anonymously claim lottery prizes, and the requirements for them.

Where winners can claim the Mega Millions jackpot anonymously

• Arizona: Prize must be over $100,000
• Arkansas: Prize must be over $500,000 and a winner is only anonymous for three years
• Delaware: Any prize
• Georgia: Prize must be over $250,000
• Illinois: Prize must be over $250,000
• Kansas: Any prize
• Maryland: Any prize
• Michigan: Prize must be over $10,000 in state-run games only
• Minnesota: Prize must be over $10,000
• Mississippi: Any prize
• Missouri: Any prize
• Montana: Any prize
• New Jersey: Any prize
• North Dakota: Any prize
• South Carolina: Any prize
• Texas: Prize must be over $1 million
• Virginia: Prize must be greater than $10 million
• West Virginia: Prize must be over $1 million
• Wyoming: Any prize

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What is the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever?

If the right six numbers are pulled Tuesday night, the jackpot as it stands would be the sixth-highest prize of all time. The top five are:

1. $1.602 billion from one winning ticket in Florida in August 2023
2. $1.537 billion from one winning ticket in October 2018 in South Carolina
3. $1.35 billion from one winning ticket in January 2023 in Maine
4. $1.34 billion from one winning ticket in July 2022 in Illinois
5. $1.05 billion from one winning ticket in January 2021 in Michigan

What are the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot?

The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are long. Players have a one in 302,575,350 shot at winning the grand prize, a one in 12,607,306 shot at winning the $1 million prize and a one in 24 chance of winning any prize.

How to play Mega Millions

Tickets to Mega Millions cost $2 per play. 

There are nine total ways to win a prize, from the jackpot to $2.

To play, pick five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. You can choose Easy Pick or Quick Pick to have the terminal randomly pick numbers for you. You win the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in the drawing.

What is the Megaplier?

Most states offer the Megaplier feature, which increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four and five times.

It costs an additional $1 per play. Before each regular Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier is drawn. From a pool of 15 balls, five are marked with "2X," three with "4X" and one with "5X."

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in-person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.  

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.

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