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UPDATE: The Mega Millions jackpot is now over a billion. That's the fourth largest jackpot in lottery history. You always hear of people taking the 'cash option' which is $602 million. After taxes it ends up being about $347 million. Florida doesn't have a state income tax so we don't have to worry about that. So what are the odds of winning Mega Millions in Florida?
Even after the cash option and taxes reduce the total to just under $350 million.
That's still a decent amount. Can it be done? Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. So there's going to be a lot of people playing. The overall Odds Of Winning Mega Millions are stated as 1 in 302,575,350. If you get 5 numbers right, but miss the Mega Ball, that's worth a million dollars but the odds of that are 1 in 12,607,306.
Has anyone in Florida done it? What are the Odds Of Winning Mega Millions here?
Yes. Just 4 years ago. On January 5, 2018 then 20 year old Shane Missler of Port Richey won the $451 million dollar Mega Millions jackpot. He had actually won some money on a scratch off and decided to "let it ride" by putting his winnings into Mega Millions tickets. After the drawing, he posted this:
According to the Tampa Bay Times, Shane bought his winning ticket at the 7-Eleven at 7131 Ridge Rd. in Pasco County. His winning numbers were 28, 30, 39, 59, 70 and the Mega Ball, 10. After a bunch of scammers popped up pretending to be him it was reported that he left the area. Not sure where he is now.
Any big local winners here in Southwest Florida?
I do distinctly remember one in Golden Gate. Someone won a $149 million Powerball jackpot with a ticket bought on Oil Well Road at E's Country Store. E's Country Store doesn't exist anymore, but it was a cool place. I think that family also moved. That seems to be a theme. Once you win a lot of money you need to move.
Good luck everyone. Here's some research that may help.
- These are the statistics for the sixth/current version of Mega Millions (October 31, 2017 to present: first 5 numbers are 1-70 and the Mega Ball is 1-25).
The Mega Millions jackpot is soaring. Want an advantage when picking your numbers? Here are the 10 Most Drawn numbers and Mega Balls based on 495 drawings since Tuesday, October 31, 2017, as of this writing on July 27th, 2022. We'll also look at which Mega Ball pops up the most. Gotta get both right if you're going to win that money. I’m not saying these will be the numbers that will make you win. Just saying, these numbers tend to come up more. #science
I put down my two dollars when the jackpot hit 500 million. I did the auto pick and got exactly zero numbers. Nothing. So maybe it's time to introduce statistics into my lottery numbers. This is what I'm going to try. Wish me luck. If I win the jackpot I' m throwing a gigantic pizza party and you're invited. I may even splurge and get that Little Caesar's Stuffed Crust.
** EDIT - using this system I got nothing right on the 7/26 drawing. 0 for 0 again.
For more information, please visit www.flalottery.com. If you want the same data, but for Powerball, that's here.
# # #Play Responsibly
UPDATE:
Since the July 29th jackpot is now over a billion, I'm updating these numbers to be current as of 7/27/2022
Here's the numbers that get drawn the most
17
The number 17 has been drawn 48 times in this time frame. More than any other number on this list. It hasn't come up since April 15th. Is it due, or has it gone cold? Dunno.
10
It's come up 47 times, most recently on July 12th.
14
47 times. July 22nd was the last time.
31
Also 47 times, last one on July 5th and again on July 19th.
4
44 draws, came up last on July 4th.
7
44. Saw it last on July 26th.
8
Same, 43 times. The number 8 came up last week on July 15th
11
43 times. Last saw it on June 24th.
3
42 draws. Last popped up on June 10th.
20
42 times and we saw it on July 15th. The numbers 43, 48, 58, and 62 have also popped up 42 times in the date range.
And For The Mega Ball
22
Mega Ball 22 has been the clear winner. It's come up 28 times during our selected time frame. We last saw it on June 14th.
11
Mega Ball 11 has been drawn 26 times and it's last appearance was June 28.
24
MB24 is next up with 25 draws. Last seen on May 31st.
9
MB9 has popped up 24 times in the time frame. May 10th was the last.
10
Mega Ball 10 has also been drawn 24 times, last one was May 6th.
4
This Mega Ball has shown up 23 times. Recently, on June 10th.
17
22 times. We last saw it on May 3rd.
25
Mega Ball 25 hit on July 19th. The 22nd time in the date range.
13
21 draws. Lucky 13 last popped up on May 13th. Freaky.
18
MB 18 has hit 21 times. lastly on April 5th.
19
21 times. Haven't seen this one since February 15th. The number 25 also had 21 appearances in our time frame.
Are there any numbers you should avoid?
Statistically, the number 51. It's only shown up 21 times in the date range, although it did show up just two weeks ago on July 5th.
And some irony. Check out this.
Lucky number 7? Not for the Mega Ball. It's only come up 13 times in our date range. Less than half as many as the top 2 Mega Balls. Here's when it last came up: January 1st 2021.
