If there is a Mega Millions winner Tuesday, they can collect anonymously in these states

The Mega Millions jackpot is up to an estimated $735 million, and players are dreaming about their numbers being pulled for Tuesday's drawing.

Laws in some states allow lottery winners to collect national lottery prizes like Powerball and Mega Millions anonymously. If there is a winner in one of those 17 states, we may never know who they are.

The last winner came in December when two tickets matched the numbers drawn and the winners split the $394 million prize in California, a state that doesn't provide anonymity.

Here are the places where winners can anonymously claim lottery prizes, and the requirements for them.

Where winners can claim the Mega Millions jackpot anonymously

More: $70M Powerball winner, who was forced to reveal her identity, is now a fierce advocate for anonymity

What is the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever?

If the right six numbers are pulled Tuesday night, the jackpot as it stands would be the sixth-highest prize of all time. The top five are:

  1. $1.602 billion from one winning ticket in Florida in August 2023

  2. $1.537 billion from one winning ticket in October 2018 in South Carolina

  3. $1.35 billion from one winning ticket in January 2023 in Maine

  4. $1.34 billion from one winning ticket in July 2022 in Illinois

  5. $1.05 billion from one winning ticket in January 2021 in Michigan

Malik Johnson, 36, of Detroit looks at the potential winning numbers of his purchased Mega Millions lottery ticket on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Some states allow lottery winners to collect anonymously,
Malik Johnson, 36, of Detroit looks at the potential winning numbers of his purchased Mega Millions lottery ticket on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Some states allow lottery winners to collect anonymously,

What are the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot?

The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are long. Players have a one in 302,575,350 shot at winning the grand prize, a one in 12,607,306 shot at winning the $1 million prize and a one in 24 chance of winning any prize.

How to play Mega Millions

Tickets to Mega Millions cost $2 per play.

There are nine total ways to win a prize, from the jackpot to $2.

To play, pick five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. You can choose Easy Pick or Quick Pick to have the terminal randomly pick numbers for you. You win the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in the drawing.