Where Does Your $$$ Go When Buying a Mega Millions ticket?

Here we go again. 

Another out of this world Mega Millions jackpot is up for grabs.

As of press time, Washington State Lottery posted the Friday night jackpot at $1.3 billion dollars with a $707.9 million dollar cash out option.

Yes, I will be one of the many buying some numbers.

Does buying a lucky Mega Millions ticket from a lucky location in your neighborhood matter?  Check here for that lucky gas station or grocery store in your area.

The deadline to purchase your Mega Millions lottery ticket on Tuesday and Friday’s in Washington State is 7:45pm

The Mega Millions jackpot balls will start bouncing around at 8pm.

Ever wondered where you money goes when purchasing a lottery ticket? The answer varies state to state. 

Using 2021, as an example in the State of Washington,

Washington’s Lottery was able to generate more than $229 million for programs that benefit communities throughout the state. 

-Source WALottery.com

Using the figures from 2021 - Your Washington Lottery ticket helps fund:

• Lottery winner’s (63% or $604.09 million) - This number would hopefully include you on Friday night!

• WOPA Education or Washington Opportunity Pathways Account (19.48% or $185.72 million)

• Cost of Sales (6.09% or $58.03 million) 

• Retailers (5.02% or $47.83 million)

• General Fund (2.5% or $23.92 million)

• Administrative Costs (1.53% or $14.62 million)

• Stadium & Exhibition Center - Lumen Field, home of the Seahawks & Sounders FC (1.49% or $14.22 million)

• Economic Development (0.50% or $4.73 million)

• Programs to Help with Problem Gambling (0.05% or 0.45 million)

-INFO SOURCE: WALottery.com

The Washington Lottery further explains:

Thanks to our players and retailer partners, last year alone Washington’s Lottery was able to generate more than $229 million for programs that benefit communities throughout the state. With those funds the Lottery was able to pay college tuition for more than 18,000 Washington residents, provide $40 million to the state's Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, contribute to Washington’s Economic Development Account, combat problem gambling in the state, and so much more. Nearly 40 years since its creation, Washington’s Lottery continues to make a difference in Washington State.

Statistics and figures are from the 2021 Washington's Lottery Annual Financial Report. Results may not equal 100% due to rounding.