How to play Mega Millions

Complete a MEGA MILLIONS play slip using a pen or a pencil (any color except red works), and return it to a Montana Lottery retailer to get your ticket printed.
You may choose the numbers to play by selecting five numbers between 1 and 56 from the top half of the play slip and selecting one number between 1 and 46—the MEGA BALL—from the bottom half.
Alternatively, you may elect for the computer to randomly choose all or some of the numbers for you by marking the QUICK PICK box. (TIP: Save time by asking the clerk for a QUICK PICK ticket instead of completing a play slip!)
You may purchase up to five plays (labeled Play A–E) per slip. Each play is $2 with the MEGAPLIER option, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes up to four times, or $1 without.
To add MEGAPLIER, select the MEGAPLIER box or tell the clerk before you buy your ticket. If you are purchasing multiple plays, MEGAPLIER applies to all plays.
You can play the same numbers for up to 24 consecutive draws by selecting from the MULTI DRAW column of the play slip.

The top of your ticket shows the range of dates for which it is eligible. It reads: "Ticket valid for [X] draw(s)."
The numbers selected for each play are listed under their respective labels A–E, depending on the number of plays.
The MEGA BALL number is separated from the other five with a [-].
By "MEGAPLIER Option," the ticket either reads YES or NO, depending on whether you added MEGAPLIER.
The dollar amount you’re playing is labeled "total."

Compare each row of numbers from your ticket to the official winning numbers.
Check your ticket using the Ticket Checker installed at Lottery retailers, or ask the clerk to check it for you using the Lottery terminal.
Click here to view a complete list of odds and prizes.

Immediately sign the back of your ticket to establish ownership.
Collect prizes up to $599.99 from any Montana Lottery retailer.
Collect the jackpot or any prize of $600 and up from the Lottery’s Helena headquarters.
You may also claim any prize by mail. Click here to download the required claim form.
IMPORTANT: All prizes must be claimed within six months of the drawing for which the play was eligible.

The jackpot prize will be divided equally among multiple winning tickets.
The annuitized jackpot option is paid in 26 annual payments.
The cash option is a lump-sum payment of approximately half the advertised jackpot.
The prize amounts published are based on the expected number of winners sharing the prize pool. Sometimes these prizes may be pari-mutuel and therefore lower than published levels. Refer to official game rules for more information about pari-mutuel prize payments.