Were you hoping for a life-changing windfall? The Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, presented a substantial estimated jackpot of $60 million, with a cash option valued at $27.4 million. While dreams of instant riches filled the air, the official results are in. We’re breaking down the winning numbers, the fate of the jackpot, and all the essential details you need to know about playing America’s favorite lottery game. Check your tickets carefully – even if you didn’t hit the grand prize, other significant awards could be waiting!
Official Mega Millions Winning Numbers for December 9, 2025
The anticipation was high for the Tuesday, December 9, 2025, Mega Millions drawing. Here are the official numbers that were drawn:
White Balls: 19, 32, 41, 49, 66
Mega Ball: 6
Was the jackpot won? According to official lottery reports, no ticket matched all six numbers in the December 9, 2025, drawing. This means the estimated $60 million jackpot will roll over and continue to grow for the next Mega Millions drawing, fueling even bigger dreams for future players.
The December 9, 2025 Mega Millions Jackpot: What Was at Stake?
For the drawing on December 9, 2025, the Mega Millions jackpot had reached an estimated $60 million. For a single winner choosing the lump-sum option, the cash payout would have been approximately $27.4 million before taxes. This significant sum followed closely on the heels of a massive $90 million jackpot won by a lucky New Jersey player just a week prior, on December 2.
Meanwhile, the excitement in the lottery world wasn’t limited to Mega Millions. The Powerball jackpot was also climbing to historic levels, reaching an estimated $930 million for its December 10 drawing, with a cash option of $429 million. This made it the seventh-largest Powerball jackpot ever recorded, underscoring a period of extraordinary lottery payouts.
How to Play Mega Millions: Understanding the Rules
Playing Mega Millions is straightforward, offering a chance to win massive prizes for a relatively small investment. As of April 8, 2025, several changes were implemented to enhance the game. Here’s a breakdown of how to play:
Each Mega Millions ticket costs $5. For this price, your play automatically includes a multiplier feature. This means that any non-jackpot prize you win could be increased by two, three, four, five, or even ten times, depending on the multiplier randomly assigned to your ticket at the time of purchase.
To play, you select five numbers from a pool of 1 to 70 for the white balls. Then, you choose one number from a separate pool of 1 to 24 for the gold Mega Ball. If you prefer, you can opt for a “Quick Pick” or “Easy Pick” where the lottery machine randomly generates numbers for you. It’s important to remember that you don’t need to be a U.S. citizen or a resident of the specific state where you buy your ticket to play or win.
Prize Tiers and Payouts: Beyond the Jackpot
While hitting the jackpot is the ultimate goal, Mega Millions offers nine different ways to win a prize. The inclusion of the automatic multiplier feature significantly boosts the value of these non-jackpot awards. Here’s a general overview of the prize tiers and potential payouts:
Match 5 White Balls + Mega Ball: Wins the Jackpot.
Match 5 White Balls (without Mega Ball): Can win between $2 million and $10 million (depending on multiplier and state rules).
Match 4 White Balls + Mega Ball: Can win between $20,000 and $100,000.
Match 4 White Balls (without Mega Ball): Can win between $1,000 and $5,000.
Match 3 White Balls + Mega Ball: Can win between $400 and $2,000.
Match 3 White Balls (without Mega Ball): Can win between $20 and $100.
Match 2 White Balls + Mega Ball: Can win between $20 and $100.
Match 1 White Ball + Mega Ball: Can win between $14 and $70.
Match only the Mega Ball: Can win between $10 and $50.
It’s crucial to check the official Mega Millions website or your state lottery’s site for precise payout details and any specific state regulations, as rules can sometimes vary slightly (e.g., California’s prize structure).
When Are Mega Millions Drawings Held?
Mega Millions drawings are held twice a week, offering regular opportunities to win. You can catch the drawings every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
The deadline for purchasing a Mega Millions ticket can vary significantly by state. It’s never advisable to wait until the last minute, as purchase cut-offs can range from 15 minutes to an hour or more before the official drawing. For those using third-party lottery apps, the deadline might be even earlier. For example, Jackpocket in New Jersey typically has a purchase deadline of 9:15 p.m. ET for the 11 p.m. ET drawing. Always check your local state lottery’s rules or the specific app’s terms for exact purchase deadlines to ensure your ticket is valid for the upcoming drawing.
Where to Buy Mega Millions Tickets
Convenience is key when purchasing lottery tickets, and Mega Millions offers several avenues for players:
You can typically buy tickets in person at most authorized retail locations. This includes common spots like gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. In some larger cities or transportation hubs, certain airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
For added convenience, online purchasing options are becoming increasingly popular in many states. Jackpocket, for instance, serves as an official digital lottery courier for the USA TODAY Network. Through their app or website, players in participating U.S. states can select their game and numbers, place an order, view their digital ticket, and even collect winnings directly from their phone or home computer. States currently offering Jackpocket services include Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.
States Where Mega Millions is Available (and Where it’s Not)
Mega Millions is widely accessible across much of the United States. You can play the game in 45 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, a few states do not participate in the Mega Millions lottery. These are:
Alabama
Alaska
Hawaii
Nevada
Utah
If you reside in or are visiting one of these five states, you will not be able to purchase Mega Millions tickets locally.
Understanding Your Mega Millions Payout Options
If you’re fortunate enough to win the Mega Millions jackpot, you’ll be faced with a significant decision: how to receive your winnings. The major U.S. lotteries, including Mega Millions, typically offer two primary payout options:
- Annuity Option: This choice provides an immediate initial payment, followed by 29 annual payments. Each subsequent payment is structured to increase by 5% compared to the previous year’s payout. This payment schedule is designed to help protect a winner’s lifestyle and purchasing power over time, mitigating the effects of inflation. It ensures a steady income stream for three decades.
- Cash Option (Lump Sum): This option provides a single, one-time payment of a significantly smaller amount than the advertised jackpot. The cash option represents the total cash available in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool. While it’s a smaller sum, it offers immediate access to a large amount of money without waiting decades for the full payout.
- $1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023: Won in Florida
- $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
- $1.348 billion, Jan. 13, 2023: Won in Maine
- $1.337 billion, July 29, 2022: Won in Illinois
- $1.269 billion, Dec. 27, 2024: Won in California
- $1.128 billion, March 26, 2024: Won in New Jersey
- $1.05 billion, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
- $983 million, Nov. 14, 2025: Won in Georgia
- $810 million, Sept. 10, 2024: Won in Texas
- $656 million, March 30, 2012: Three winners in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022: Won in California
- $1.787 billion, Powerball, Sept. 6, 2025: Won in Missouri and Texas
- $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023: Won in California
- $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023: Won in Florida
- $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee
- $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
- $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023: Won in Maine
- $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: Won in Illinois
- $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 6, 2024: Won in Oregon
- $1.269 billion, Mega Millions, Dec. 27, 2024: Won in California
- $1.128 billion, Mega Millions, March 26, 2024: Won in New Jersey
- $1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023: Won in California
- $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
The decision between annuity and cash depends heavily on individual financial goals, tax implications, and personal preferences. It’s often recommended that jackpot winners consult with financial advisors before making this choice.
What Are Your Odds of Winning Mega Millions?
Playing the lottery is an exciting pursuit, filled with the thrill of possibility. However, it’s essential to approach it with a realistic understanding of the probabilities involved. The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are precisely 1 in 290,472,336.
To put that into perspective, you are far more likely to experience many other rare events, such as being struck by lightning, becoming a movie star, or being dealt a perfect hand in poker. While these odds are incredibly long, it only takes one ticket to win, and every drawing brings new winners across various prize tiers. The key is to enjoy the dream, but not to spend money you can’t afford to lose.
Can Mega Millions Winners Remain Anonymous?
The question of anonymity for lottery winners is a common one, driven by concerns about privacy, security, and sudden public attention. The ability for a Mega Millions winner to remain anonymous varies significantly by state.
In some states, like New Jersey, laws have been passed to allow lottery winners to stay anonymous. For example, under a law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy, New Jersey lottery winners are able to keep their identity private. This was not always the case, marking a shift in how winner information is handled.
However, in many other states, a winner’s name, hometown, and sometimes even the amount won, are considered a matter of public record. This means your identity could be released to the media. If you were to win a large jackpot, it is highly advisable to check with your state’s official lottery commission for their specific rules regarding winner anonymity before claiming your prize.
The Biggest Wins: Top Mega Millions and U.S. Lottery Jackpots
Lottery jackpots often reach astronomical figures, capturing national attention. Here’s a look at some of the most historic payouts in Mega Millions history, and the largest overall U.S. lottery jackpots across both Mega Millions and Powerball:
Top 10 Mega Millions Jackpots Ever:
Largest U.S. Lottery Jackpots Ever (Powerball & Mega Millions Combined):
These monumental jackpots highlight the immense scale of lottery winnings and the widespread appeal of these games.
Protect Yourself: Spotting Lottery Scams
While the dream of winning the lottery is exciting, it’s crucial to be aware of the persistent threat of lottery scams. These deceptive schemes often target individuals by falsely claiming they’ve won a jackpot or a large sum of money, only to demand an upfront “fee,” “tax,” or “processing charge.”
Key Red Flags:
Unsolicited Contact: If you’re contacted out of the blue about winning a lottery you don’t recall entering, it’s almost certainly a scam.
Requests for Money: Legitimate lotteries will never ask you to pay a fee to claim your winnings. Taxes are typically withheld from the prize itself, or you’re responsible for paying them after receiving your full amount.
Pressure to Act Quickly: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to prevent you from researching or questioning their claims.
Requests for Personal Financial Information: Be highly suspicious of anyone asking for bank account numbers, credit card details, or Social Security numbers over the phone or email in connection with lottery winnings.
Always verify any lottery winning notifications through official channels, such as the official Mega Millions website or your state lottery commission, using contact information you’ve independently verified. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the Mega Millions winning numbers and jackpot status for December 9, 2025?
For the Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, the winning numbers were 19, 32, 41, 49, 66, with the Mega Ball being 6. The estimated jackpot for this drawing was $60 million, with a cash option of $27.4 million. However, no ticket matched all six numbers, meaning the jackpot was not won and will roll over to the next drawing, increasing in value.
Where can I legally buy Mega Millions tickets online?
Mega Millions tickets can be purchased online in select states through authorized digital lottery couriers like Jackpocket. These services are available in states such as Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. Always verify that online platforms are officially licensed in your state to ensure a legitimate purchase. In-person tickets are widely available at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores in participating states.
What’s the difference between the Mega Millions annuity and cash payout options?
Jackpot winners have two main payout choices: the annuity option and the cash option. The annuity provides an initial payment followed by 29 annual payments, each increasing by 5% annually, offering a steady income stream for 30 years. The cash option is a single, lump-sum payment of the prize’s present cash value, which is significantly less than the advertised jackpot total but provides immediate access to all funds. The choice depends on personal financial strategy, tax implications, and lifestyle preferences.
Conclusion: Dream Big, Play Responsibly
The Mega Millions drawing on December 9, 2025, with its $60 million jackpot, once again captivated the nation with the promise of extraordinary wealth. While the grand prize wasn’t claimed, the excitement continues to build for future drawings. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, understanding the rules, odds, and payout options is key to enjoying the experience.
Remember to always check your tickets against the official winning numbers, explore the various prize tiers beyond the jackpot, and be mindful of purchase deadlines. Most importantly, while it’s fun to dream big, please play responsibly and within your means. Good luck with the next drawing – perhaps your lucky numbers are just around the corner!
