Mega Sena Lottery
Overview
- Draw day and time : Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Numbers to pick : 9/60
- Winning odds : 1 in 2,298
- Biggest Jackpot: R$289.4 million
The Mega Sena is the biggest lottery game that is played in Brazil. It launched in March 1996 and is fairly among the newer lotteries when compared internationally. The game gives players the opportunity to win twice in one week. This lottery has been running in the nation for decades and has the immense experience to ensure that the players are enjoying playing the game. Mega Sena is operated and regulated by the Caixa Economica Federal Bank, one of the biggest banks in the country. This Bank has been running lottery games in Brazil for a long time. Mega Sena is not only known for its entertainment but is also known as the lottery that could be life-changing to the lucky ones. It has rolled over to nine-figure jackpots multiple times.
The Mega Sena lottery begins with a minimum jackpot of R$2 million. This money rolls over without a ceiling amount until there is a winner.
The highest jackpot that Mega Sena reached was a record-breaking R$263.2 million that was won by four winners in the year 2014. This was part of the Mega da Virada draw. The highest jackpot a single ticket holder took home was R$205.3 million. This was in the year 2015.
RULES
How to play Mega Sena
Mega Sena follows the one to sixty pattern. To play the lottery, players must choose six numbers that range from 1 to 60. This can be done in two ways, i.e. players can choose the six numbers manually or choose a Surpresinha ticket which selects a line of six numbers randomly for the player. The number for Mega Sena is drawn in two different drums where the first drum has numbers from 0 to 5. This selects the first digit. The second drum has numbers from 0 to 9 and selects the second digit. And this two-digit number will be the number drawn.
Another option to choose is the combination bet which allows players to play 7 to 15 on their ticket to help increase their chance of winning. The tickets with these extra features cost more than the usual ones. But it is generally seen as worth the investment as they increase the chances of winning some money.
Another one of the specials of Mega Sena is the New Year’s draw known as the Mega da Virada. This draw offers players from across the globe to participate in a prize pool that is boosted. Five percent of the revenue generated from Mega Sena is allotted for this special New Year’s draw.
The Mega Sena draws happen twice a week every Wednesday and Saturday at 8 PM, Brazil time.
Who can play Mega Sena
Players must be older than 18 years of age in order play the Mega Sena lottery. This lottery welcomes participants from across the world. They can play the lottery online. Players should confirm if they are eligible to play as per their country’s lottery law.
WIN
The odds of winning a Mega Sena
Players win the lottery when they can match the numbers to the six numbers drawn. There are three tiers of prizes for winners i.e. those who match 4 out of 6, 5 out of 6 and 6 out of 6. The odds of winning the third tier (4 out of 5), is 1 in 2,332 and second tier is 1 in 154, 518 and finally, for the jackpot, the odds are 1 in 50, 063, 860.
| Prize Tier | Picks to Match | Winning Odds | Winning Odds % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Match 6 | 1:50,063,860 | 0.00000199 |
| 2 | Match 5 | 1:154,518 | 0.000647 |
| 3 | Match 4 | 1:2,332 | 0.0428 |
| Any | Any | 1:2,298 | 0.0435 |
Payments and Costs for Mega Sena
The tickets for a single player for one draw is $3. For any of the additional features mentioned above, the players will have to pay additional costs for the tickets.
Claiming the prize money
The prizes for Mega Sena have to be collected within 90 days since the winning draws are announced. There is a different process for those playing online and for those players who purchased the tickets at the local authorized retail store. Online players will have to register an account with their bank details while playing via a website. When winning numbers are declared, the money will be automatically transferred to the registered account of the website. For those who purchase tickets offline, they can claim the prizes directly. Prize monies worth R$1787.77 and lesser can be claimed at any retail store or lottery agents. For prizes higher than that, players will have to go to the Caixa bank to claim their winning money.
Tax payments for Mega Sena
Mega Sena prize winners have to pay a tax of 13.8 percent on their prize monies. This applies to all tiers to prizes and to all players. However, those playing from outside the country should check with their laws of their country. They might be bound to additional taxes if they are an international player.
GOOD CAUSES SUPPORTED BY THE MEGA SENA LOTTERY
The Mega Sena lottery and most other Brazilian lotteries were set up with the goal of contributing to the nation’s social causes. Most of the revenue generated from the lottery goes to different social programs in the country. A total of 54% of the revenue generated goes into social programs and charitable causes if any. One of the key contributions goes to the education department. Players are encouraged to participate in the lotteries and see it as a good cause. Any unclaimed money goes into the treasury and gets invested in the educational programs in the country.
SUMMARY
The Mega Sena lottery is the biggest lottery played in Brazil. Since its launch, the lottery has had many lucky people take home big jackpot prizes. The jackpot prizes always rolls over to a nine-figure jackpot. With more than half the revenue from this lottery going to the nation’s educational programs, this is one of the best lotteries to invest in.