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Lottery officials forsee $500 million Mega Millions jackpots
Mega Millions: Lottery officials forsee $500 million Mega Millions jackpots
California, the Golden State, will bring a lot of green to the Mega Millions Lottery jackpots when the state joins the multistate game next month. That's green as in greenbacks. Mega Millions Lottery officials expect jackpots, under the right circumstances, to reach a staggering half of a billion dollars, said Michigan Lottery Commissioner Gary Peters. "With California in, the computer model says there is a high probability of a $500 million Mega Millions jackpot," Peters said. The largest Mega Millions jackpot was $362 million in May 2000. Shelby Township swimming pool cleaner Larry Ross won half of the pot, $181 million. California will become the 12th state to join Mega Millions on June 22, with the first drawing under the new alignment on June 24. California's population of 35 million is one reason for the projected mammoth jackpots. Adding four more numbers, from 52 to 56 to the main field, is another reason. That will increase the odds of hitting the jackpot from one in 135 million to one in 178 million, Peters said. "That means jackpots will grow bigger and faster," Peters said. "We will see more $200 million jackpots like the $208 million jackpot (won by a Michigan couple) we just had." Mount Clemens business broker Chris Kelly of Utica doesn't like the new arrangement. "That's insane," said Kelley, a regular lottery player. "It's getting out of hand. Only one person will win the big jackpot like that. They should divide up the big jackpots." Even the consolation prizes will hit mega proportions under the new format, Peters said. Second-place money will be increased from $175,000 to $250,000 and third-prize money from $5,000 to $10,000. Clinton Township used car dealer Bob Bartolomucci likes the bigger secondary prizes. "That's the only reason I play Mega Millions -- to win the second-place money," he said.
Detroit News
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29 comments. Last comment 4 years ago by .
United States Member #2924 November 25, 2003 75 Posts Offline |
| Posted: May 8, 2005, 8:34 am - IP Logged |
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I have a question for the more knowledgeable lottery players than I. Occasionally I will slip into Indiana to play power ball. My question is if I was ever so lucky to hit a taxable prize would I be required to pay Indiana taxes as well as my own states? I do see that Arizona has a non resident tax of 6% but nothing is said of the other states? I find that the lure of the power play is strong enough for me to try my luck---- a 100k with a power play would be a good prize
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South Carolina United States Member #493 July 16, 2002 837 Posts Offline |
| Posted: May 8, 2005, 9:20 am - IP Logged |
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You will have to pay a withholding tax when you pick up your lottery check, but you will be credited that amount when you pay your state tax. 
Okay, now I believe you can predict lottery numbers
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United States Member #436 June 30, 2002 675 Posts Offline |
| Posted: May 8, 2005, 9:27 am - IP Logged |
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Yeah and Mega Millions was supposed to have $400 Million jackpots the last time they changed the matrix. 
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Redmond WA United States Member #6073 July 29, 2004 71 Posts Offline |
| Posted: May 8, 2005, 12:42 pm - IP Logged |
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Now all Mega Millions needs to do is focus on getting Florida to join.
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Chief Bottle Washer New Jersey United States Member #1 May 31, 2000 16998 Posts Online |
| Posted: May 8, 2005, 1:16 pm - IP Logged |
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My guess is that Fla would join Powerball instead of MM. The Mega Millions group mentioned a while ago that after signing up their next "major state" (which ended up being California), that they would not be looking to expand further.
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United States
Member #380
June 5, 2002
11297 Posts
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| Posted: May 8, 2005, 1:21 pm - IP Logged |
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FL won't go multi-state under Jeb Bush.
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United States Member #2924 November 25, 2003 75 Posts Offline |
| Posted: May 8, 2005, 1:39 pm - IP Logged |
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You will have to pay a withholding tax when you pick up your lottery check, but you will be credited that amount when you pay your state tax.
Thanks for the info: Not that I really have any expectations of ever hitting a large prize. I do enjoy the game of what if.
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Mobile, AL and Jasper, TN United States Member #13647 April 5, 2005 1560 Posts Offline |
| Posted: May 8, 2005, 2:21 pm - IP Logged |
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I wish FL would join Powerball.
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United States Member #2380 September 17, 2003 2064 Posts Offline |
| Posted: May 8, 2005, 2:28 pm - IP Logged |
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They would have to change the matrix again if Florida joined. Plus Powerball has the incredibly lame rule regarding limits to a record pot. The only lottery that even has a chance at 400+ is Mega. Good thing I live in a Mega state that is also income tax free :)
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Redmond WA United States Member #6073 July 29, 2004 71 Posts Offline |
| Posted: May 8, 2005, 2:56 pm - IP Logged |
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I think once the MM jackpot goes to $400 or $500 million and half the state of Florida is driving to Georgia to buy MM tickets somebody in Florida is going to start to ask to get MM in the state. They can hold out for awhile longer but, I think the people of Florida would like to get Mega Millions in their state. It's the right thing to do. Mike
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Amity, Oregon United States Member #3070 December 13, 2003 1193 Posts Offline |
| Posted: May 8, 2005, 3:21 pm - IP Logged |
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It will be really interesting and exciting to see a 500 million jackpot for mega millions if it does happen in the next year.
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Morrison, IL United States Member #4741 May 13, 2004 1632 Posts Offline |
| Posted: May 8, 2005, 4:48 pm - IP Logged |
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Powerball needs Florida more than Mega Millions does. Especially since Powerball is increasing their matrix as well, they need more states to support higher rollovers. It is totally bogus to increase the matrix without higher rollovers to compensate for it.
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Memphis,Tennessee United States Member #8005 October 15, 2004 11291 Posts Offline |
| Posted: May 8, 2005, 5:25 pm - IP Logged |
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i've been doing a poll on if there will be a 500 million jackpot these past weeks......
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Baton Rouge, LA United States Member #4685 May 7, 2004 339 Posts Offline |
| Posted: May 8, 2005, 7:03 pm - IP Logged |
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I have a question for the more knowledgeable lottery players than I. Occasionally I will slip into Indiana to play power ball. My question is if I was ever so lucky to hit a taxable prize would I be required to pay Indiana taxes as well as my own states? I do see that Arizona has a non resident tax of 6% but nothing is said of the other states? I find that the lure of the power play is strong enough for me to try my luck---- a 100k with a power play would be a good prize
Interesting question which doesn't have a definite answer because it will depend on the states involved. If you were to win in another state which has a state income tax, they will withhold federal and state income taxes from your winnings. What you would probably have to do is file a non-resident tax return in that state for those winnings. How nonresident income is taxed varies from state to state, so check the websites of the taxation departments of the states you are wondering about(the one you live in and the state of Indiana in your case) to get a definitive answer. In most situations, that state will only tax you on the income you received from them, and not other income you receive. How your own state will tax you also varies. My state figures taxable income based on what is on the federal tax forms, so I'd have to pay my state's taxes on the income. In my state, if someone lives in the state for the entire year and pays income taxes to another state, the taxes can be deducted from the state income tax. It's a complicated question that would require alot of research of all states involved and possibly the feds. PrisonerSix
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