The historic US$1.1 billion (about $1.4 billion) Mega Millions jackpot is just around the corner, but Canadians can do a lot more than watch from the sidelines.
Although the Mega Millions lottery is based in the United States, nothing is stopping Canadians from winning the third largest prize in US history.
The next drawing is Friday night at 11:00 PM EDT and entrants have until approximately one hour before the drawing time to purchase tickets. However, anyone who was hoping to buy a ticket but didn’t have the time needn’t worry! There is a chance that no one will win the jackpot tonight.
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The Mega Millions prize has grown to its current height because it has been more than three months (29 consecutive draws) since someone matched the six numbers needed to claim the prize money.
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According to The Associated Press, the odds of winning are 1 in 302.5 million.
So how can Canadians join in the fun?
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For those who live near the border, the easiest way to buy a Mega Millions lottery ticket is to drive south. Tickets can be purchased in 45 states, Washington DC and the US Virgin Islands.
The only states where you can’t buy tickets are Nevada, Utah, Alabama, Hawaii, and Alaska (which is a shame for folks in northern BC and the Yukon).
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In fact, all foreign tourists to the US are eligible to buy Mega Millions tickets, not just Canadians.
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A similar tactic that Canadians can use if they don’t want to travel to the US is to ask a friend or family member in the US to buy a ticket on their behalf, as long as they trust them not to run away with the winnings!
If those two options are out of the question, there’s one more way Canadians can get a ticket.
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There are a number of third party services that will buy lottery tickets for a fee, and they have been proven to work in the past.
In 2015, a man from Iraq won $6.4 million from an Oregon lottery through an online agent The Lotter.
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Mega Millions does not endorse the use of these companies and writes on its site, “if you choose to do business with one of these companies, you do so at your own risk.”
For the lucky person who wins, Mega Millions says winnings must be claimed from the same state the ticket was purchased, but the lottery gives the option to claim the prize by mail.
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The jackpot is subject to a 30 percent US government tax, and there may be an added state tax depending on where the ticket was purchased.
At least the Canadian government doesn’t tax foreign lottery winnings.
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