How to Play Mega Millions in New York
It’s really easy to play Mega Millions in New York. Start by picking five main numbers from 1 to 70 and a Mega Ball between 1 and 24.
You must buy your tickets before 10:00 PM on Tuesdays and Fridays, with the drawing held an hour later. You can play at any New York Lottery retailer by following the steps below:
Select your numbers
Mark five numbers from 1 to 70 on your playslip, plus one Mega Ball between 1 and 24. Your Mega Ball can be the same number as one of your main balls, as it is drawn from a separate pool. If you just want to play a random set of numbers, you can select the Quick Pick option. You can also play up to five sets of numbers at a time, by completing the different game areas on your playslip – A, B, C, D and E.
Multiplier
Launched April 5, 2025, the new Multiplier feature replaces the Megaplier option. Unlike the Megaplier, the Multiplier isn’t optional and is automatically added to your ticket. The Multiplier will add a random ‘Multiplier’ number to your ticket, which can increase your non-jackpot winnings by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X.
Play Multiple Draws
You can enter your numbers into several consecutive drawings – 2, 4, 5, 10, 20 or 26 – by marking any of the boxes in the Multi-Draw section of your playslip. Leave this area blank if you just want to play one draw.
Purchase your ticket
The cost of Mega Millions is $5 per play, which includes the automatically applied Multiplier feature. The total you’ll have to pay then depends on how many consecutive drawings you enter and how many sets of numbers you pick.
Playing Through a Lottery Courier
A new way to enjoy lotteries is to use what is known as a lottery courier. Instead of going to a retailer yourself, you sign up to a service such as Jackpot.com. You still pick the numbers you want to play, but an agent of the courier company will purchase your tickets for you. A digital image of the ticket will be available in your online account.
How to Win
You win Mega Millions prizes by matching the numbers you pick to the numbers that are drawn. You are guaranteed a prize as long as you match the Mega Ball, even if you don’t get any of the five main numbers. In total, there are nine different ways to win. Head over to the Odds and Prizes page to see a full payout chart.