Today’s jackpot is $315 million! So, I bought one ticket for $1. You don’t win if you don’t play. I’ve thought about buying more, but I don’t believe it really increases my chances by much. So, a dollar it is. The current odds for winning the jackpot is 1 out of 175 million. Not very good. It takes luck!
The California Lottery website told me that
34 cents goes to California public education
32 cents to jackpots
18 cents to fund all other California MEGA Millions prizes
16 cents to pay retailer commissions and Lottery administration
What this means is, with today’s jackpot of $315 million, a good $50 million goes to Lottery administration. Not bad for doing nothing but spinning several balls and announcing a winner. There’s a lot more to it, but you get my drift.
Update: Some lucky winner from Anaheim won the whole thing!