# Mega Millions lottery ticket prices increasing **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 13, 2024, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736 "2024-10-13T22:52:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/41 "2024-11-25T15:32:12Z")
Yep it varies w interest rates. Also, in Ye Olden Dayes it was a 20 year annuity. Now it’s 30. Also it’s a rising annuity not a flat-line. They claim that’s to offset assumed inflation. But it just happens to have the side effect of flattering the annuity total amount vs. the cash amount. How convenient … for them. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/42 "2024-11-25T15:43:32Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > in Ye Olden Dayes it was a 20 year annuity. Now it’s 30. That’s probably a lot of it as PV is closer to payout the short the time period involved. Any idea when how long ago it changed? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/43 "2024-11-25T17:02:17Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > That’s why I wouldn’t tell anyone I’ve won if I did win. The problem is that in most States the name of the winners are made public. Most likely no one would happen to find out unless you won one of the gigantic ones. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/44 "2024-11-25T17:09:00Z")
Set up a “legal entity” to accept it on your behalf. Something you’d need to set up with a lawyer, but that’s what lawyers are for and if you can keep a lid on your impatience and wait a couple months to claim it you can insulate yourself to a greater or lesser degree. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/45 "2024-11-25T17:26:38Z")
In some states only a person or group can claim the lottery. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/46 "2024-11-25T17:31:21Z")
Ah, but I don’t live in one of those states… ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/47 "2024-11-25T17:31:55Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Any idea when how long ago it changed? I first became aware of Powerball in 1994 when I moved from Las Vegas to a state that had it. At that time tickets were $1, the annuity was 20 years, and IIRC there was 1 weekly draw. Other than that one data point I have no clue. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/48 "2024-11-25T17:36:47Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > In some states only a person or group can claim the lottery. I was under the impression that a trust was a legal entity & that it could be claimed in the name of a trust. I am neither a lawyer or that well versed in the lottery claim rules in every state. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/49 "2024-11-25T18:02:51Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I was under the impression that a trust was a legal entity & that it could be claimed in the name of a trust. In about half of the States you can’t do this. Edit: I just looked it up 22 States you can’t be anonymous 22 States you can 2 States you partially can (no idea what that means) 5 States don’t have a lottery ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/50 "2024-11-25T18:34:13Z")
But does not being anonymous mean they say that the \_\_\_ Trust won the prize? Could I make it trust or family trust & then you really wouldn’t know for certain it’s me. (I don’t have that unique a surname) ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/51 "2024-11-25T18:43:33Z")
Not anonymous means no trust. Your legal name is known. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/52 "2024-11-25T18:46:00Z")
I think ideally they want the winner to stand up on camera holding the giant check. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/53 "2024-11-25T18:56:12Z")
Historically it was about showing the customers that the winners were real people, not some secret insiders who often won because the game was rigged. Ah, such innocent times. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/54 "2024-11-25T19:01:55Z")
A couple of years ago, [someone in South Carolina won a Mega Millions jackpot of $1.5 billion](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mega-millions-winner-south-carolina-record-jackpot-charities-today-2019-03-14/) (not the biggest but among them) and remained anonymous because the state allowed it. Now, if I won a giant amount like that, I’d also like to remain anonymous but only some states allow for it. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/55 "2024-11-25T19:10:28Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > 22 States you can’t be anonymous > 22 States you can > 2 States you partially can (no idea what that means) > 5 States don’t have a lottery I’m disappointed none of you spotted my math error. It’s 21 States where you can ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/56 "2024-11-25T19:59:53Z")
I thought not anonymous means they published the winner’s name, whether you want it published or not. If the winner happened to be a trust, that was the name that they published. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/57 "2024-11-25T20:29:21Z")
In a non-anonymous state the name is publicly available. I suspect you look it up on their web page. The big winners appear at a press conference but they can decline to answer questions. You can’t hide behind a trust. The giant winners hire security. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/58 "2024-11-25T20:35:34Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Now, states that DO tax winnings are another story. That’s every state except: > > - California. > - Florida. > - New Hampshire. > - South Dakota. > - Tennessee. > - Texas. > - Washington. > - Wyoming. So assuming I’ll retire anyways, It makes sense for me if I take home $200M to quickly move 100 mi north to Wyoming then cash in my ticket. I’d save $9M in state taxes. That’s assuming you’re taxed on where you live and not where you bought the ticket. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/59 "2024-11-25T20:47:54Z")
The taxation and the anonymity are where you buy the ticket. That’s where the gain was earned. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736/60 "2024-11-25T21:07:00Z")
I _knew_ there was a reason to live in Florida! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-millions-lottery-ticket-prices-increasing/1008736.md?page=4)