The winning numbers for the Mega Millions drawing on 4/6/2021 were 1, 19, 20, 32 and 42, and the Mega Ball was 17. The jackpot was an estimated $184 million with a cash option of $124.4 million, but did anyone win?
Nobody won the jackpot on Tuesday night, so it will roll over to Friday's draw when it will be worth an estimated $201 million with a cash option of $135.9 million. Although no one won the top prize, one player from Maryland won $1 million by matching all five winning numbers.
More players won big in Tuesday's Mega Millions lottery draw: 19 players won $10,000 by matching four numbers plus the Mega Ball and three players used the Megaplier, which was 3X last night, to triple their prize to $30,000 each.
Hundreds of thousands of players won sums from $2 to $30 and hundreds more won larger prizes ranging from $200 to $1,500.
How to Play Mega Millions
To take part in Mega Millions, purchase a ticket for $2 per play from a licensed lottery retailer.
Select six numbers: five ranging from 1 to 70 for the white balls plus one number from 1 to 25 for the gold Mega Ball. Alternatively, have the lottery terminal randomly select your numbers using Easy Pick or Quick Pick.
The Mega Millions lottery drawing takes place at 11 p.m. ET every Tuesday and Friday, so the next one will take place on April 9, 2021. Sales cut-off times vary by lottery jurisdiction but are typically between one to two hours before the drawing.
To win the jackpot, a player must match all six winning numbers in a drawing. There are nine ways to win a prize in Mega Millions, including the jackpot.
When a player wins the jackpot, they have the option of claiming their prize as an annuity or as a cash option.
The annuity option pays out the prize as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5 percent each time. For example, if a player won $100 million and chose the annuity option, the initial payment would be worth around $1.5 million and future annual payments would grow to around $6.2 million.
If a jackpot winner opts for the cash option, they will claim a one-time, lump-sum payment equal to the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool.
Play Mega Millions Responsibly
"Although most people can play Mega Millions and other lottery games without ill effects, there are some people for whom gambling of any sort can be addictive and very damaging," says the Mega Millions website. "Like other addictions, gambling addiction is a treatable disease. Twelve-step programs have proven to be particularly helpful."
Mega Millions supports the work of groups such as Gamblers Anonymous and the National Council on Problem Gambling to "combat gambling addiction and encourage responsible play."
Anyone worried about whether they or a loved one have a gambling addiction can call the National Council on Problem Gambling's confidential 24-hour hotline on 800-522-4700.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
