---
title: The Mega Millions Jackpot Is Up to $1.6 Billion. Here Is the Deadline to Buy Tickets — in Every State
description: 'The highest Mega Millions jackpot is here: $1.6 billion. For a shot at the Mega Millions winning numbers, meet the deadline to buy tickets.'
authors:
  - name: Brad Tuttle
    role: Senior Editor
    url: https://money.com/author/brad-tuttle/
    bio: Brad Tuttle is a former senior editor at Money with over 10 years’ experience covering a vast number of personal finance topics, including careers, cars, travel, budgeting, investing, insurance, credit cards, consumer psychology, real estate, banking, and shopping and deals.
    education: Columbia University School of Journalism, MS
    at_money_since: 2014
    articles: 366
    covers:
      - Personal Finance
      - Banking
      - Business
      - Career Advice
      - Credit
      - Credit Cards
      - Economy and Politics
      - Education
      - Health and Wellness
      - Housing
      - Identity Theft
      - Insurance
      - Investing
      - Lifestyle
      - Loans
      - Mortgages
      - Pets
      - Professional Services
      - Retirement
      - Shopping
      - Taxes
      - Technology
    social:
      - https://twitter.com/bradrtuttle
      - https://linkedin.com/in/brad-tuttle-834b225
    former_staff: true
published: '2018-10-22T17:03:48.000Z'
modified: '2024-05-16T13:26:45.000Z'
section: Personal Finance
tags:
  - Lottery
  - Mega Millions
word_count: 1576
canonical: https://money.com/mega-millions-highest-jackpot-deadline-buy-tickets-1-6-billion/
type: Article
source: structured-blocks
---

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![US-LIFESTYLE-ECONOMY-GAMING](https://img.money.com/2018/10/mega-millions-1-6-billion-jackpot-1052548354.jpg)
*A woman shows her Mega Millions tickets before the draw of the $1 billion jackpot on Friday, October 19, 2018.*

Feeling lucky? The [Mega Millions jackpot](https://money.com/mega-millions-highest-jackpot-winning-numbers-friday/) now stands at a staggering [$1.6 billion](http://www.megamillions.com/), making it the [biggest lottery jackpot](https://money.com/what-was-the-biggest-powerball-jackpot-in-history/) in U.S. history.

Mega Millions jackpots keep growing bigger and bigger when no one wins the grand prize. And nobody had the Mega Millions winning numbers last week, when the jackpots hit [$868 million](https://money.com/mega-millions-highest-jackpot-drawing/) on Tuesday and [$1 billion](https://money.com/mega-millions-highest-jackpot-winning-numbers-friday/) on Friday — both of which would have set records as the highest Mega Millions jackpots ever.

The Mega Millions grand prize has rolled over again, and the payout for Tuesday night's drawing is now [$1.6 billion](http://www.megamillions.com/), with a lump sum payout of $904 million.

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For U.S. lottery games, we are in unchartered territory: The $1.6 billion Mega Millions jackpot is the highest lottery grand prize ever in the U.S., nudging ahead of the record-high [$1.586 billion Powerball](https://money.com/what-was-the-biggest-powerball-jackpot-in-history/) jackpot drawn in early 2016.

As you'd imagine, Mega Millions ticket sales have been insane. Lottery fever is so heated right now that the number of possible number combinations is running out, the [*Washington Post*](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/10/23/so-many-people-are-buying-mega-millions-tickets-that-number-combinations-are-running-out/) reported on Tuesday. And if no one has all of the winning Mega Millions numbers when the drawing happens on Tuesday night, the jackpot will likely soar to over $2 billion and interest will spike even higher.

## When Are the Mega Millions Winning Numbers Drawn?

Mega Millions drawings are always on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 11 p.m. ET. The next Mega Millions drawing — when the all-time high $1.6 billion jackpot is on the line — is Tuesday, October 23.

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You can find out the winning Mega Millions numbers at [lottery.net](https://www.lottery.net/mega-millions/numbers) and [megamillions.com](http://www.megamillions.com/winning-numbers). Live broadcasts of the Mega Millions results are also shown on many nightly TV news programs.

If you're wondering [how to play Mega Millions](http://www.megamillions.com/how-to-play), the simplest way is to buy a ticket with machine-picked numbers from a participating retailer. Mega Millions tickets cost $2 each and are sold in 44 states plus Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can also buy Mega Millions tickets online in certain states.

A winning Mega Millions ticket can pay out a prize ranging from $2 up to the jackpot. The odds of having all six numbers correct and winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302 million.

<!-- omitted unsupported block: newsletter-callout -->

## What Is the Deadline to Buy Mega Millions Tickets?

The deadline to buy Mega Millions tickets varies from state to state. That's why we rounded up the Mega Millions cutoff times around the country below. Be aware that some retailers may have long lines of customers waiting to buy Mega Millions tickets. So it's best not to wait until the last minute if you want a chance at the $1.6 billion Mega Millions jackpot on Tuesday.

Each Mega Millions ticket will have the corresponding drawing date printed on it. If you are too late and buy a Mega Millions ticket after your state's cutoff time for the drawing on Tuesday, your ticket will be valid for the next drawing — Friday, October 26.

## [Arizona Lottery](https://www.arizonalottery.com/)

The cutoff for buying is [Mega Millions tickets in Arizona](https://www.arizonalottery.com/en/play/draw-games/mega-millions) is 6:59 p.m. MT (8:59 p.m. ET) on the day of the drawing.

## [Arkansas Lottery](https://www.myarkansaslottery.com/)

[Mega Millions sales in Arkansas](https://www.myarkansaslottery.com/games/mega-millions) are cut off at 9:45 p.m. CT (10:45 p.m. ET) on days when the winning numbers are announced.

## [CA Lottery](https://www.calottery.com/)

The deadline for buying [Mega Millions tickets in California](https://www.calottery.com/play/draw-games/mega-millions) is 7:45 p.m. PT (10:45 p.m. ET) on the day of the drawing.

## [Colorado Lottery](https://www.coloradolottery.com/en/)

The deadline to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Colorado](https://www.coloradolottery.com/en/games/megamillions/) is 7:30 p.m. MT (9:30 p.m. ET) on days when winning numbers are announced.

## [CT Lottery](http://www.ctlottery.org/)

[Mega Millions sales in Connecticut](http://www.ctlottery.org/Modules/Games/default.aspx?id=11) are cut off at 10:45 p.m. ET on drawing days (Tuesdays and Fridays).

## [Delaware Lottery](https://www.delottery.com/)

The deadline for buying [Mega Millions tickets in Delaware](https://www.delottery.com/Drawing-Games/Mega-Millions) is 9:45 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing.

## D.C. Lottery

The cutoff to buy Mega Millions tickets in Washington, D.C., is 10:45 p.m. ET on the days when winning tickets are announced (Tuesdays and Fridays).

## [Florida Lottery](http://www.flalottery.com/)

The last time to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Florida](http://www.flalottery.com/megaMillions-faq) is 10 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing.

## [Georgia Lottery](https://www.galottery.com/en-us/home.html)

[Mega Millions ticket sales in Georgia](https://www.galottery.com/en-us/games/draw-games/megamillions.html#tab-howToPlay) are cut off at 10:45 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing.

<!-- omitted unsupported block: embed-twitter -->

## [Idaho Lottery](https://www.idaholottery.com/)

The deadline to buy multi-state [lottery tickets in Idaho](https://www.idaholottery.com/games/draw-times-stations) is one hour and five minutes before the draw — or 7:55 p.m. MT (9:55 p.m. ET) on Tuesdays and Fridays for Mega Millions.

## [Illinois Lottery](http://www.illinoislottery.com/en-us/home.html)

The cutoff time to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Illinois](http://www.illinoislottery.com/en-us/Mega_Millions.html) is 9:45 p.m. CT (10:45 p.m. ET) on the day of the drawing.

## [Indiana Hoosier Lottery](https://www.hoosierlottery.com/)

Mega Millions [lottery ticket sales in Indiana](https://www.hoosierlottery.com/games/mega-millions) are cut off at 10:44 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing.

## [Iowa Lottery](http://www.ialottery.com/)

The cutoff time to [buy Mega Millions tickets in Iowa](https://ialottery.com/Pages/FAQs/FAQ-BuyingTickets.aspx) is 8:59 p.m. CT (9:59 p.m. ET) on days when the winning numbers are picked.

## [Kansas Lottery](http://www.kslottery.com/)

The deadline to purchase [Mega Millions tickets in Kansas](http://www.kslottery.com/Games/MEGAHowToPlay.aspx) is 8:59 p.m. CT (9:59 p.m. ET) on the day of the drawing.

## [Kentucky Lottery](https://www.kylottery.com/)

The deadline to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Kentucky](https://www.kylottery.com/apps/draw_games/megamillions/howtoplay.html) is 9:45 p.m. CT (10:45 p.m. ET) on days when the winning numbers are announced.

## [Louisiana Lottery](http://www.louisianalottery.com/)

The deadline to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Louisiana](https://louisianalottery.com/mega-millions/tab/how-to-play/the-drawing) is 9 p.m. CT (10 p.m. ET) on the day of the drawing.

## [Maine Lottery](http://mainelottery.com/)

The cutoff time to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Maine](http://mainelottery.com/games/megamillions.shtml) is 9:50 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing.

## [Maryland Lottery](http://www.mdlottery.com/)

Mega Millions [ticket sales in Maryland](http://www.mdlottery.com/games/mega-millions/) are cut off 15 minutes before Mega Millions drawings — or 10:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays.

## [Massachusetts Lottery](https://www.masslottery.com/)

The deadline to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Massachusetts](https://www.masslottery.com/about/news.html) is 10:45 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing.

## [Michigan Lottery](https://www.michiganlottery.com/)

The cutoff to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Michigan](https://www.michiganlottery.com/games/mega-millions) is 10:45 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing.

## [Minnesota Lottery](https://www.mnlottery.com/)

The deadline to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Minnesota](https://www.mnlottery.com/games/lotto/mega-millions) is 9 p.m. CT (10 p.m. ET) on the day when winning numbers are announced.

## [MO Lottery](http://www.molottery.com/)

The deadline to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Missouri](http://www.molottery.com/mega_millions/mega_millions.jsp) is 8:59 p.m. CT (9:59 p.m. ET) on the day of the draw.

## [Montana Lottery](https://www.montanalottery.com/en/)

Sales of [Mega Millions tickets in Montana](https://www.montanalottery.com/en/view/game/mega-millions) are cut off at 8 p.m. MT (10 p.m. ET) on the day of the drawing.

## [Nebraska Lottery](https://nelottery.com/homeapp/landing)

The deadline to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Nebraska](https://nelottery.com/homeapp/lotto/30/gamedetail) is 9 p.m. CT (10 p.m. ET) on the night of drawings.

## [NH Lottery](https://www.nhlottery.com/)

You can buy [Mega Millions tickets in New Hampshire](https://www.nhlottery.com/Games/Mega-Millions) until 9:50 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing.

## [New Jersey Lottery](https://www.njlottery.com/en-us/home.html)

The deadline to buy [Mega Millions tickets in New Jersey](https://www.njlottery.com/en-us/drawgames/megamillions.html#tab-howToPlay) is 10:45 p.m. ET on the day when winning numbers are picked.

## [New Mexico Lottery](https://www.nmlottery.com/)

[Mega Millions ticket sales](https://www.nmlottery.com/how-to-play-mega-millions-2017.aspx) in New Mexico are cut off at 8:45 p.m. MT (10:45 p.m. ET) on the day of the drawing.

## [New York Lottery](https://nylottery.ny.gov/)

The deadline to buy [Mega Millions tickets in New York](https://nylottery.ny.gov/mega-millions) state is 10:45 p.m. ET on days when winning numbers are announced.

## [NC Lottery](https://www.nclottery.com/)

Mega Millions [ticket sales in North Carolina](https://www.nclottery.com/MegaMillionsHow) are cut off at 10:45 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing.

## [North Dakota Lottery](http://www.lottery.nd.gov/Public)

The deadline to buy [Mega Millions tickets in North Dakota](http://www.lottery.nd.gov/faqs/mega-millions.html) is 8:58 p.m. CT (9:58 p.m. ET) on the day of the drawing.

## [Ohio Lottery](https://www.ohiolottery.com/)

Mega Millions lottery [ticket sales in Ohio](https://www.ohiolottery.com/Games/DrawGames/MegaMillions.aspx#2) are cut off at 10:45 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing (Tuesday and Friday).

## [Oklahoma Lottery](https://www.lottery.ok.gov/)

The deadline to buy Mega Millions tickets in Oklahoma is 8:59 p.m. CT (9:59 p.m. ET) on the day of the drawing.

## [Oregon Lottery](https://www.oregonlottery.org/)

The deadline to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Oregon](https://www.oregonlottery.org/games/draw-games/mega-millions) is 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET) on drawing days.

## [PA Lottery](https://www.palottery.state.pa.us/)

The cutoff time to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Pennsylvania](https://www.palottery.state.pa.us/Draw-Games/Mega-Millions.aspx) is 9:59 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing.

## [Rhode Island Lottery](http://www.rilot.com/)

The deadline to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Rhode Island](http://www.rilot.com/megamillions.asp#PlaySlip) is 9:50 p.m. ET on drawing nights.

## [South Carolina Lottery](http://www.sceducationlottery.com/)

The deadline to buy [Mega Millions tickets in South Carolina](http://www.sceducationlottery.com/games2/howtoplay_megamillions.asp) is 10 p.m. ET on days when the winning numbers are announced.

## [South Dakota Lottery](https://lottery.sd.gov/)

South Dakota [Mega Millions ticket sales](https://lottery.sd.gov/games/lottogames/megamillions/) are cut off at 9 p.m. CT (10 p.m. ET) on the day of the drawing.

## [Tennessee Lottery](http://www.tnlottery.com/)

The deadline to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Tennessee](http://www.tnlottery.com/faq/playing-tn-lottery) is 9:45 p.m. CT (10:45 p.m. ET) on days when winning numbers are announced.

## [Texas Lottery](https://www.txlottery.org/)

The cutoff time for [Mega Millions ticket sales in Texas](https://www.txlottery.org/export/sites/lottery/Games/Mega_Millions/How_to_Play_Mega_Millions.html) is 9:45 p.m. CT (10:45 p.m. ET) on drawing days.

## [Vermont Lottery](https://vtlottery.com/)

The cutoff for buying [Mega Millions tickets in Vermont](https://vtlottery.com/games/mega-millions) is 9:50 p.m. ET on drawing days (Tuesdays and Fridays).

## [Virginia Lottery](https://valottery.com/)

The deadline for [Mega Millions sales in Virginia](https://valottery.com/gamesandmore/megamillions/) is 10:45 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing.

## [Washington Lottery](http://www.walottery.com/)

Mega Millions [lottery ticket sales in Washington](http://www.walottery.com/JackpotGames/MegaMillions.aspx) are cut off at 7:45 p.m. PT (10:45 p.m. ET) on drawing nights.

## [West Virginia Lottery](http://www.wvlottery.com/)

The deadline to buy [Mega Millions tickets in West Virginia](http://wvlottery.com/draw-games/mega-millions/) is 9:59 p.m. ET on the day of the drawing.

## [Wisconsin Lottery](https://www.wilottery.com/)

The cutoff time to buy [Mega Millions tickets in Wisconsin](https://www.wilottery.com/lottogames/MMInformation/) is 9 p.m. CT (10 p.m. ET) on Tuesdays and Fridays in order to have a chance to win the jackpot in that night's drawing.

## [Wyoming Lottery](https://wyolotto.com/)

Mega Millions [ticket sales in Wyoming](https://wyolotto.com/play/mega-millions/) close at 8 p.m. MT (10 p.m. ET) on the day of the drawing.

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