Current through Reg. 50, No. 060; March 26, 2024
(1) Introduction.
The Multi-State Lottery Association ("MUSL") has entered into an Agreement
("Cross-Sell Agreement") with those U.S. lotteries operating under an agreement
to sell a lottery Draw game known as MEGA
MILLIONS® ("Mega Millions Lotteries"). The
Cross-Sell Agreement permits MUSL Party Lotteries who are members of the MUSL
Mega Millions Product Group ("Product Group"), including the Florida Lottery,
to sell the MEGA MILLIONS game. The MEGA MILLIONS game is conducted by the
Florida Lottery under the conditions of the Cross-Sell Agreement, MUSL Rules,
Multi-State Lottery Association Mega Millions®
Product Group Rules ("MUSL MM Rules"), effective 4/21/20, the laws of the State
of Florida and this Emergency Rule. The conduct and play of the MEGA MILLIONS
game in Florida must conform to the MUSL MM Rules. Unless otherwise provided by
law, if any part of this rule, or any other rule in Chapter 53 of the Florida
Administrative Code, is inconsistent with the MUSL MM Rules, the MUSL MM Rules
shall control, except where the MUSL MM Rules defer to the laws, policies or
rules of the Florida Lottery. If a conflict arises between this rule and any
other rule in Chapter 53 of the Florida Administrative Code, this rule shall
take precedence. The Multi-State Lottery Association Mega
Millions® Product Group Rules are hereby
incorporated by reference and may be obtained from the Florida Lottery, Office
of the General Counsel, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, or from
the Florida Lottery's website at flalottery.com.
(2) Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this rule, have
the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a)
Advertised Jackpot Prize
- The estimated annuitized Jackpot Prize amount as determined by the
Mega Millions Finance Committee prior to the Jackpot Prize drawing. The
"Advertised Jackpot Prize" is not a guaranteed prize amount and the actual
Jackpot Prize amount may vary from the advertised amount, except in
circumstances where there is a guaranteed Jackpot Prize amount.
(b)
Double Play Promotion -
The MEGA MILLIONS Double Play Promotion is a limited promotion of the MEGA
MILLIONS game and is conducted in accordance with the MUSL Mega Millions
Product Group game rules. The Florida Lottery has elected to not offer the
Double Play Promotion at this time. Double Play Plays do not include MEGA
MILLIONS Plays, Just the JackpotT Plays or
Megaplier® Plays.
(c)
Drawing - Refers
collectively to the formal draw event performed by the Mega Millions Consortium
Lotteries for the selection of the game results that determine the number of
winners for each prize level of the MEGA MILLIONS game.
(d)
Jackpot Prize - The top
prize in the MEGA MILLIONS game.
(e)
Just the JackpotT Plays ("JJ
Plays") - A purchased Play which includes two JJ Plays as part of the
Just the Jackpot Promotion but does not include MEGA MILLIONS Plays, Double
Play Plays or Megaplier Plays. Although the Florida Lottery is not offering the
Just the Jackpot Promotion, the term Just the Jackpot Plays is used in this
rule as it relates to the Jackpot Prize payout.
(f)
Mega Millions Finance Committee
- A committee of the Mega Millions Lotteries that determines the
Jackpot Prize amount (Cash Option and Annual Payment).
(g)
MEGA MILLIONS Just the Jackpot
Promotion - The MEGA MILLIONS Just the Jackpot Promotion is a limited
extension of the MEGA MILLIONS game and is conducted in accordance with the
MUSL MEGA MILLIONS Product Group rules. The Florida Lottery has elected not to
offer the Just the Jackpot Promotion at this time. Just the Jackpot will impact
the amount of the Jackpot Prize in the MEGA MILLIONS game, and participants in
Just the Jackpot in other lottery jurisdictions may win the MEGA MILLIONS
Jackpot prize.
(h)
Mega
Millions Lottery or Lotteries or Mega Millions Consortium Lotteries -
Lotteries that have joined under the Mega Millions Lottery Agreement; the group
of lotteries that has reached a Cross-Selling Agreement with the MUSL Product
Group for the selling of the MEGA MILLIONS Game.
(i)
MEGA MILLIONS Plays ("MM Plays")
- Plays purchased as part of the MEGA MILLIONS game but shall not
include JJ Plays, Double Play Plays or Megaplier Plays.
(j)
Megaplier® Plays - Plays
purchased as part of the Megaplier play feature, as further described in
paragraph (10)(b).
(k)
MUSL- The Multi-State Lottery Association.
(l)
MUSL Board - The
governing body of the MUSL.
(m)
Play - The six numbers, the first five chosen from a field of
seventy numbers and the last one chosen from a field of twenty-five numbers,
that appear on a ticket as a single lettered selection to be played by a player
in the MEGA MILLIONS game. Each Play is played separately in determining
matches to winning numbers and prize amounts. As used in these rules, unless
otherwise specifically indicated, "Play" includes both MM Plays and JJ
Plays.
(n)
Play Slip
- An original paper play slip issued and approved by the Florida
Lottery for the MEGA MILLIONS game, or a digital play slip for the MEGA
MILLIONS game generated using the Florida Lottery Mobile Convenience App
("App") by which a player communicates their intended play selection to the
retailer. Except where necessary herein to differentiate between a paper play
slip and a digital play slip, the term "play slip" shall be inclusive of both
types of play slips.
(o)
Product Group- The group of lotteries that has joined together
to offer the MEGA MILLIONS lottery game under the terms of its Cross-Selling
Agreement with the Mega Millions Lotteries, the MUSL Agreement and the MUSL
Mega Millions Product Group rules.
(p)
Selling or Participating
Lotteries - A state lottery or lottery of a political subdivision or
entity that is participating in selling the MEGA MILLIONS game and that may be
a member of either MUSL or the Mega Millions Lotteries.
(q)
Set Prize- All prizes
except the Jackpot Prize and, except as set forth in paragraphs (10)(h) and
(i), will be equal to the prize amount established by the Product Group for the
prize level.
(r)
Winning
Numbers - The game results selected during a drawing event which shall
be used to determine winning Plays contained on a game ticket.
(3) How to Play MEGA MILLIONS.
(a) MEGA MILLIONS is a multi-state lottery
Draw game (also known as an online Terminal game) which is offered to players
in Florida by the Florida Lottery via authorized Florida Lottery retailers. In
MEGA MILLIONS, players select five numbers from a field of one (1) through
seventy (70) and one number (the "Mega BallT") from a separate field of one (1)
through twenty-five (25).
(b)
Players may make their ticket selections by: using a play slip; selecting their
numbers using a Florida Lottery vending machine ("vending machine"), if a
vending machine for Draw game ticket purchases is available at the retailer
location; by telling the retailer their desired selections; or by requesting to
use the Play it Again feature.
(c)
Play Slip.
1. Paper play slip. There are five
panels on a paper play slip, each containing an upper play area and a lower
play area. Each panel played will cost $2.00 per drawing. Players may mark
their desired numbers on the paper play slip by selecting five numbers in the
upper play area and one number in the lower play area from each panel played.
Players may also mark the "QP" (Quick Pick) box located at the bottom of each
play area for the terminal to randomly select one or more numbers from the
applicable play area. A "Void" box is also located at the bottom of each panel
and should be marked by the player if an error was made in his or her
selections in a panel. For each panel played, the first five of the six numbers
appearing in a single horizontal row on a MEGA MILLIONS ticket shall be the
numbers selected from the upper play area of the play slip, and the last number
shall be the number selected from the lower play area of the paper play slip.
For an additional $1.00 per Play, players may mark the Megaplier box to
multiply the second through ninth prizes. Megaplier will apply to all panels
and advance play marked. Players may elect "Jackpot Combo" play to receive
three (3) Quick Pick tickets for the next available drawing consisting of one
(1) $2.00 FLORIDA LOTTO® with XTRA ticket, one
(1) $2.00 POWERBALL® ticket and one (1) $2.00
MEGA MILLIONS ticket by marking the "Jackpot Combo $6" box on the paper play
slip. Paper play slips must be Florida Lottery approved and players must use
only blue or black ink or pencil for making selections. Paper play slips may be
processed through a Florida Lottery vending machine or processed by a retailer
in order to obtain a ticket.
2.
Digital Play Slip. From the Landing Page on the App, a player should select the
MEGA MILLIONS game icon and then click on "Pick Numbers." For each panel
played, the player should either select his or her numbers from a field of
numbers described in paragraph (3)(a) or use the "Random Numbers" or "Shake to
Play" feature for the App to provide the player random numbers. Up to ten
panels may be created on one digital play slip. The player must also select the
number of drawings, if more than the default of one drawing is desired. The
parameters for advance play are set forth in paragraph (3)(d) below. If the
player desires to add Megaplier to all panels played as further described in
subparagraph (3)(c)1. above, the player should click the Megaplier button so
that "yes" is selected. If the player desires to add Jackpot Combo play as
further described in subparagraph (3)(c)1. above, the player should click the
"Add Jackpot Combo" button so that "yes" is selected. Players may also use the
"My Favorites" feature to save a digital play slip for later use. Once a
digital play slip is created and the player clicks "Create Playslip," a barcode
will be displayed. The player may present the barcode appearing on his or her
mobile device to the retailer to purchase a ticket through the retailer
terminal or may use the barcode to purchase a ticket through a vending machine
that provides for Draw game purchases. Illustrative instructions for creating a
MEGA MILLIONS digital play slip are available by clicking on the "How to Play"
button on the main MEGA MILLIONS page.
(d) Advance Play. Players may play up to
twenty-six consecutive drawings by using the "advance play" feature. To use the
advance play feature, players may either select the number of available
drawings desired on the play slip or tell the retailer their desired number of
consecutive advance drawings. The number of consecutive drawings marked will
include the next available drawing and will apply to each panel played. Advance
play is not available with Jackpot Combo. In the event that a planned change in
the MEGA MILLIONS game requires that the number of advance plays available for
purchase be reduced to zero before implementation of the change, an advance
play countdown schedule will be posted on the Lottery's website at
flalottery.com.
(e) Vending
Machine. If a vending machine is available at a retailer location and the
vending machine provides for Draw game purchases, the vending machine may be
used by a player to process the MEGA MILLIONS play slip.
(f) Telling the Retailer. Retailers also are
authorized to manually enter numbers selected by a player. Players electing to
make their MEGA MILLIONS ticket selections by telling the retailer must specify
their desired number selections (or tell the retailer they desire to use the
Quick Pick feature for the terminal to randomly select one or more of the
numbers) and the number of drawings. Players may also tell the retailer if they
would like to add Megaplier to their ticket or if they would like Jackpot Combo
play.
(g) Play it Again.
1. A player may request to "Play it Again" to
replay a previously purchased MEGA MILLIONS ticket. If requested, a retailer
shall scan the barcode or manually enter the serial number of the original
ticket provided by the player and print a new ticket which will have the same
selected numbers, number of panels, and number of drawings as the original
ticket, except as provided in subparagraph (3)(g)2., below. Additionally, if
the original ticket contains Megaplier, the new ticket will also contain
Megaplier.
2. An original ticket
with advance play will be rejected and cannot be replayed if the number of
drawings on the ticket exceeds the number of advance play drawings that are
available at the time of requested ticket replay due to implementation of an
advance play countdown for the MEGA MILLIONS game. Tickets older than sixty
days cannot be replayed.
(4) MEGA MILLIONS Drawings.
(a) MEGA MILLIONS drawings shall be conducted
by the Mega Millions Lotteries two times per week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at
approximately 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
(b) The Florida Lottery shall not be
responsible for incorrect circulation, publication or broadcast of official
winning numbers.
(5)
Determination of Prize Winners.
In order for a ticket to be a winning ticket, numbers
appearing in a single horizontal row on the ticket must match the official MEGA
MILLIONS Winning Numbers in any order for the drawing date for which the ticket
was purchased, in one of the following combinations:
(a) Jackpot Prize: Five numbers selected from
the first set of balls plus the number selected from the second set of
balls.
(b) Second Prize: Five
numbers selected from the first set of balls and not the number selected from
the second set of balls.
(c) Third
Prize: Four numbers selected from the first set of balls plus the number
selected from the second set of balls.
(d) Fourth Prize: Four numbers selected from
the first set of balls and not the number selected from the second set of
balls.
(e) Fifth Prize: Three
numbers selected from the first set of balls plus the number selected from the
second set of balls.
(f) Sixth
Prize: Three numbers selected from the first set of balls and not the number
selected from the second set of balls.
(g) Seventh Prize: Two numbers selected from
the first set of balls plus the number selected from the second set of
balls.
(h) Eighth Prize: One number
selected from the first set of balls plus the number selected from the second
set of balls.
(i) Ninth Prize: No
numbers selected from the first set of balls and the number selected from the
second set of balls.
(6)
Limited to Highest Prize Won. The holder of a winning ticket may win only one
prize per play in connection with the winning numbers drawn for the Mega
Millions game and shall be entitled only to the prize won by those numbers in
the highest matching prize category. All liabilities for a MEGA MILLIONS prize
and a MEGA MILLIONS with Megaplier prize are discharged upon payment of a prize
claim.
(7) Odds of Winning.
(a) The odds of winning the prizes described
in subsection (5) are as follows:
1. Jackpot
Prize - 1:302,575,350
2. Second
Prize - 1:12,607,306
3. Third Prize
- 1:931,001
4. Fourth Prize -
1:38,792
5. Fifth Prize -
1:14,547
6. Sixth Prize -
1:606
7. Seventh Prize -
1:693
8. Eighth Prize -
1:89
9. Ninth Prize -
1:37
(b) The overall odds
of winning a prize in a MEGA MILLIONS drawing are 1:24.
(8) MEGA MILLIONS Prize Pool.
(a) The MEGA MILLIONS Prize Pool for all
prize categories shall consist of up to fifty-five percent of each drawing
period's sales. The MEGA MILLIONS Prize Pool shall be funded in accordance with
criteria set by the Product Group.
(b) Expected Prize Payout Percentages. The
Jackpot Prize shall be determined on a pari-mutuel basis. Except as provided in
these rules, all other prizes awarded shall be paid as set prizes with the
following expected prize payout percentages, although the actual prize payout
percentage per drawing will vary by drawing.
Match Per MM Play
|
Prize
Category
|
Prize
Payment
|
Estimated Percentage of Prize Pool Allocated to
Prize Category
|
Five first set numbers and the one number of the
second set
|
Jackpot Prize
|
Jackpot Prize
|
75.3018%*
|
Five first set numbers and none of the second
set
|
Second Prize
|
$1,000,000
|
7.9319%
|
Four first set numbers and the one number of the
second set
|
Third Prize
|
$10,000
|
1.0742%
|
Four first set numbers and none of the second
set
|
Fourth Prize
|
$500
|
1.2889%
|
Three first set numbers and the one number of the
second set
|
Fifth Prize
|
$200
|
1.3749%
|
Three first set numbers and none of the second
set
|
Sixth Prize
|
$10
|
1.6498%
|
Two first set numbers and the one number of the
second set
|
Seventh Prize
|
$10
|
1.4436%
|
One first set number and the one number of the second
set
|
Eighth Prize
|
$4
|
4.4752%
|
None of the first set numbers and the one number of
the second set
|
Ninth Prize
|
$2
|
5.4597%
|
*The Jackpot Prize shall include the estimated MM
Prize Pool percentage allocated to the Jackpot Prize combined with estimated JJ
Prize Pool percentage allocated to the Jackpot Prize.
|
(c)
Prize money allocated to the Jackpot Prize category will be divided equally by
the number of MM Plays and JJ Plays determined to be winners of the Jackpot
Prize.
(d) The number of Plays
determined to be winners of the Second through Ninth Prize levels will be paid
as Set Prizes, except as provided in paragraph (10)(h) below. If all or any
portion of the set prize pool is not awarded in the current MEGA MILLIONS
drawing, that portion of the set prize pool shall be carried forward to
subsequent MEGA MILLIONS drawings.
(e) Any interest or earnings accrued on a
MEGA MILLIONS Set Prize prior to prize payment shall accrue to MUSL and not to
the winner.
(9) MEGA
MILLIONS Jackpot Prize.
(a) The prize money
available in the Jackpot Prize pool will be divided equally among all Jackpot
prize winning MM Plays and JJ Plays in all Participating Lotteries. Neither
MUSL, Mega Millions Lotteries nor the Florida Lottery shall be responsible or
liable for the difference between the Advertised or estimated Jackpot Prize
amount and the actual Jackpot Prize amount after the prize payment method is
known to MUSL and Mega Millions Lotteries.
(b) Players can choose one of two payment
options for receiving their portion of the MEGA MILLIONS Jackpot Prize. Payment
options are "Cash Option" and "Annual Payment." Jackpot Prize winners have
sixty days after the winning draw date to choose between the two payment
options. Once the Jackpot Prize winner signs the Winner Claim Form, files a
claim and exercises the winner's chosen option, the election of that option
shall be final and cannot be revoked, withdrawn or otherwise changed except as
provided in subparagraph (9)(d) 4., below.
(c) Cash Option Payment.
The Cash Option amount offered shall be the Jackpot Prize
deferred payment amount as determined by the Mega Millions Lotteries, divided
by a rate established by the Mega Millions Finance Committee prior to each
drawing, divided by the number of total Jackpot Prize winning MM Plays and JJ
Plays. In order to select the Cash Option, the Jackpot Prize winner must submit
his or her ticket for payment within sixty days after the winning draw date. If
the Jackpot Prize winner does not elect the Cash Option within sixty days after
the winning draw date, the Annual Payment option will be applied, except as
provided in subparagraph (9)(d)2. below. A Jackpot Prize winner who chooses the
Cash Option payment will be paid in a single cash payment, less applicable
federal income tax withholding.
(d) Annual Payment Option.
1. The prize amount of a Jackpot Prize winner
electing the Annual Payment option shall be the Annuitized Jackpot Prize
amount, as determined by the Mega Millions Lotteries, divided by the number of
total Jackpot Prize winning MM Plays and JJ Plays in all Participating
Lotteries. If a Jackpot Prize winner elects the Annual Payment option, his or
her share of the Jackpot Prize will be paid in thirty graduated annual
installments, each less applicable withholding taxes. The Florida Lottery will
make the initial and any subsequent payments of a prize upon receipt of funds
for such prize from MUSL. The initial payment shall be paid upon completion of
internal validation procedures. The subsequent twenty-nine payments shall be
paid annually to coincide with the month of the Federal auction date at which
the bonds were purchased to fund the annuity. Payments shall escalate by a
factor of five percent annually, and annual payments shall be rounded down to
the nearest even one-thousand-dollar increment. All such payments shall be made
within seven days of the anniversary of the annual auction date.
2. If individual winners' shares of the cash
held to fund Annual Payments are less than $250,000.00, the Product Group is
authorized to pay the winners their share of the cash held in the Jackpot Prize
pool.
3. Annuitized payment of the
Jackpot Prize or a share of the Jackpot Prize will be rounded to facilitate the
purchase of an appropriate funding mechanism. Rounding differences on an
annuitized Jackpot Prize win shall be added to the first cash payment to the
winner or winners. Prizes other than the Jackpot Prize, which under this rule
may become single-payment, pari-mutuel prizes, will be rounded down so that
prizes can be paid in multiples of whole dollars. Rounding differences
resulting from rounding these prizes shall be carried forward to the MEGA
MILLIONS Prize Pool for the next drawing.
4. In the event of the death during the
payment period of a MEGA MILLIONS winner who elected the Annual Payment option,
the estate of the deceased winner (the "Estate") may file a petition with the
Florida Lottery to accelerate payment of all the remaining prize proceeds to
the Estate. Such petition will be forwarded by the Florida Lottery to MUSL for
processing. MUSL will decide, in its sole discretion, whether or not to grant
the payment, and if so, the form of such payment, whether in securities or
cash.
(e) Jackpot Prize
Amount.
1. Starting deferred payment Jackpot
Prize amounts and Jackpot Prize roll increases will be determined by the Mega
Millions Lotteries based on sales and interest rates, with no guaranteed
minimum amount. Such determination will be made, and the advertised Jackpot
Prize amount announced, prior to each drawing.
2. If the Jackpot Prize is not won in a
drawing, the prize money allocated for the Jackpot Prize shall roll over and be
added to the Jackpot Prize pool for the next consecutive MEGA MILLIONS
drawing.
(f) Jackpot
prizes won shall be funded by the Selling Lotteries in accordance with the
formula set by the Mega Millions Lotteries.
(g) Federal income taxes shall be applied and
withheld from the prize amount at the time payment is made, pursuant to
applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and Code of Federal
Regulations.
(h) Any interest or
earnings accrued on a MEGA MILLIONS Jackpot Prize prior to prize payment shall
accrue to MUSL and not to the winner.
(10) MEGA MILLIONS
Megaplier®.
(a) The Megaplier Prize Pool. The
Megaplier® Prize Pool for Megaplier prize
categories shall consist of up to fifty-five percent of each drawing period's
sales. The Megaplier Prize Pool shall be funded in accordance with criteria set
by the Product Group. The actual prize payout percentage per drawing will vary
by drawing. The Megaplier Prize Pool shall be carried forward to subsequent
drawings if all or a portion of it is not needed to pay the Megaplier prizes
awarded in the current drawing.
(b)
The Megaplier option shall be available in association with the MEGA MILLIONS
game. At the time of purchasing a ticket, a player may choose the Megaplier
feature for an additional $1.00 per MM Play for each MM Play on the MEGA
MILLIONS ticket ("Megaplier Play") to increase the guaranteed prize amount for
the second through ninth tier prizes. The MEGA MILLIONS Jackpot Prize is not
eligible for increase under the Megaplier option or by means of the Just the
Jackpot Promotion
(c) Megaplier
Drawing. A separate random Megaplier drawing will occur before every MEGA
MILLIONS drawing to determine one multiplier number for that drawing, which
will be a 2, 3, 4, or 5. The multiplier number drawn will be used to multiply
the value of the prizes for the second through ninth tiers. In the event the
multiplier drawing does not occur prior to the MEGA MILLIONS drawing, the
multiplier number will be a 5. The multiplier number may also be referred to as
the Megaplier number.
(d) The
following table sets forth the probability of the various multiplier numbers
being drawn during a single Megaplier drawing.
Multiplier
|
Probability of Prize Increase
|
5X
|
1 in 15
|
4X
|
3 in 15
|
3X
|
6 in 15
|
2X
|
5 in 15
|
Multiplier numbers do not apply to the MEGA MILLIONS
Jackpot Prize
|
(e)
Application of multiplier number.
1. Second
through Ninth Prizes. The multiplier number selected is the number that is used
to increase the prize amount for the Second through Ninth Prizes. A Second
through Ninth Prize winner who purchases the Megaplier feature with his or her
MEGA MILLIONS ticket shall be paid a prize in the amount of the set prize
amount multiplied by the multiplier number for that drawing.
2. Jackpot Prize. The Megaplier feature does
not apply to the Jackpot Prize.
(f) The Product Group is authorized to
conduct sales promotions in which the multiplier features are
changed.
(g) MEGA MILLIONS tickets
that win the Second through Ninth Prizes with the Megaplier option will pay the
amounts shown below:
Match
|
Prize
|
Without Megaplier
|
With Megaplier 2X
|
With Megaplier 3X
|
With Megaplier 4X
|
With Megaplier 5X
|
Match 5+0
|
Second
|
$1,000,000
|
$2,000,000
|
$3,000,000
|
$4,000,000
|
$5,000,000
|
Match 4+1
|
Third
|
$10,000
|
$20,000
|
$30,000
|
$40,000
|
$50,000
|
Match 4+0
|
Fourth
|
$500
|
$1,000
|
$1,500
|
$2,000
|
$2,500
|
Match 3+1
|
Fifth
|
$200
|
$400
|
$600
|
$800
|
$1,000
|
Match 3+0
|
Sixth
|
$10
|
$20
|
$30
|
$40
|
$50
|
Match 2+1
|
Seventh
|
$10
|
$20
|
$30
|
$40
|
$50
|
Match 1+1
|
Eighth
|
$4
|
$8
|
$12
|
$16
|
$20
|
Match 0+1
|
Ninth
|
$2
|
$4
|
$6
|
$8
|
$10
|
(h)
If, with respect to a single MEGA MILLIONS drawing, the total of the MEGA
MILLIONS Set Prizes and the Megaplier prizes awarded in a drawing exceeds the
percentage of the prize pools allocated to the Set Prizes, and there are
insufficient funds from all sources to pay the Set Prizes for a particular MEGA
MILLIONS drawing (including Megaplier prize amounts), then the highest Set
Prize (including the Megaplier prize amount) shall become a pari-mutuel prize.
If the amount of the highest Set Prize, when paid on a pari-mutuel basis, drops
to or below the next highest Set Prize and there are still not sufficient funds
to pay the remaining Set Prizes, the next highest Set Prize, including the
Megaplier prize amount, shall become a pari-mutuel prize. This procedure shall
continue down through all Set Prize levels, if necessary, until all Set Prize
levels become pari-mutuel. MEGA MILLIONS and Megaplier prizes will be reduced
by the same percentage.
(i) MEGA
MILLIONS set prizes that become pari-mutuel will be rounded down so that they
can be paid in multiples of whole dollars. Funds remaining after rounding shall
be carried forward to the prize pool for the next MEGA MILLIONS
drawing.
(j) MEGA MILLIONS with
Megaplier prizes shall be paid in single, lump-sum payment, less any applicable
federal income tax withholding.
(11) MEGA MILLIONS Play Validation.
(a) In addition to the validation
requirements set forth in the Florida Lottery rule governing payment of prizes,
the validation requirements set forth in this subsection (11) shall apply to
MEGA MILLIONS Plays made on tickets sold in Florida. Plays sold in other
jurisdictions may be subject to different requirements. A copy of the current
rule governing payment of prizes can be obtained from the Florida Lottery,
Office of the General Counsel, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, Florida
32399-4011.
(b) To be a valid Play
and eligible to receive a prize, a Play's ticket shall satisfy all the
requirements established by the Florida Lottery for validation of winning Plays
sold through its computer gaming system and any other validation requirements
adopted by the Product Group, the MUSL Board and published as the Confidential
MUSL Minimum Game Security Standards. The MUSL and the Party Lotteries,
including the Florida Lottery, shall not be responsible for Plays that are
altered in any manner.
(c) Under no
circumstances will a claim be paid for a prize without an official Mega
Millions ticket matching all game Play, serial number and other validation data
residing in the Florida Lottery's computer gaming system and such ticket shall
be the only valid proof of the purchase and the only valid receipt for claiming
or redeeming such prize.
(d) In
addition to the above, in order to be deemed a valid, winning Play, all of the
following conditions must be met:
1. The
validation data must be present in its entirety and must correspond, using the
computer validation file, to the number selections printed on the ticket for
the drawing date(s) printed on the ticket;
2. The ticket must be intact;
3. The ticket must not be mutilated, altered,
reconstituted, or tampered with in any manner;
4. The ticket must not be counterfeit or an
exact duplicate of another winning ticket;
5. The ticket must have been issued by the
Florida Lottery, or authorized Florida Lottery retailer on official paper stock
of the Florida Lottery;
6. The
ticket must not have been stolen;
7. Except as provided herein, the ticket must
be submitted for payment in accordance with the Florida Lottery's rule
governing payment of prizes. A copy of the current rule can be obtained from
the Florida Lottery, Office of the General Counsel, 250 Marriott Drive,
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-4011. Subject to the laws and regulations of the
Florida Lottery relating to the disclosure of MEGA MILLIONS winners, and at the
discretion of the Florida Lottery where disclosure is permitted, the name and
city of the winner of a Jackpot prize, or the prize the next level down, will
be disclosed in a press conference or in a press release and the winner must
participate in a press conference, if requested by the Florida
Lottery;
8. The Play data must have
been recorded on the Florida Lottery's computer gaming system prior to the
drawing and the Play data must match this computer record in every respect. In
the event of a contradiction between information as printed on the ticket and
as accepted by the Florida Lottery's computer gaming system, the information
accepted by the Florida Lottery's computer gaming system shall
prevail;
9. The player or computer
pick number selections, validation data and the drawing date(s) of an apparent
winning Play must appear on the Florida Lottery's official file of winning
Plays, and a Play with that exact data must not have been previously
paid;
10. The Play must not be
misregistered, and the Play's ticket must not be defectively printed or printed
or produced in error to an extent that it cannot be processed by the Florida
Lottery;
11. The Play must pass
validation tests using a minimum of three (3) of the five (5) validation
methods as defined in the Mega Millions Finance and Operations Procedures,
Section 15. In addition, the Play must pass all other confidential security
checks of the Florida Lottery;
12.
In submitting a Play for validation, the claimant agrees to abide by applicable
laws, all rules and regulations, instructions, conditions and final decisions
of the Florida Lottery;
13. There
must not be any other breach of the MUSL MM Rules in relation to the Play that
the Florida Lottery determines justifies invalidation; and
14. The Play must be submitted to the Florida
Lottery.
(e) A Play
submitted for validation that fails any of the preceding validation conditions
shall be considered void, subject to the following determinations:
1. In all cases of doubt, the determination
of the Florida Lottery, shall be final and binding; however, the Florida
Lottery is authorized to replace an invalid Play with a Play of equivalent
sales price;
2. In the event a
defective ticket is purchased or in the event the Florida Lottery determines to
adjust an error, the claimant's sole and exclusive remedy shall be the
replacement of such defective or erroneous ticket(s) with a Play of equivalent
sales price;
3. In the event a Play
is not paid by the Florida Lottery and a dispute occurs as to whether the Play
is a winning Play, the Florida Lottery is authorized to replace the Play as
provided in subparagraph (11)(e)1., above. This shall be the sole and exclusive
remedy of the claimant unless the laws or regulations governing the Florida
Lottery provide for further review.
(12) MEGA MILLIONS Rules and Prohibitions.
(a) By purchasing a MEGA MILLIONS ticket, a
player agrees to comply with and abide by all rules of the Florida
Lottery.
(b) Florida MEGA MILLIONS
prizes shall be claimed only through a Florida Lottery retailer (for prizes
less than $600) or Lottery office beginning on the first business day following
the drawing. The Florida Lottery is not authorized to accept claims or pay
prizes for MEGA MILLIONS tickets purchased in other jurisdictions. MEGA
MILLIONS prize payments shall be made in accordance with this MEGA MILLIONS
rule and the rule of the Florida Lottery governing payment of prizes. A copy of
the current payment of prizes rule can be obtained from the Florida Lottery,
Office of the General Counsel, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, Florida
32399-4011.
(c) Subject to a
retailer's hours of operation and gaming system availability, MEGA MILLIONS
lottery tickets are available for purchase daily between the hours of 6:00 a.m.
and 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time (ET). Ticket sales for a specific MEGA
MILLIONS drawing will close at 10:00 p.m., (ET), on the night of the drawing.
Any ticket sold after the close of game will be printed with the next MEGA
MILLIONS drawing date.
(d) MEGA
MILLIONS tickets, including MEGA MILLIONS tickets purchased using the Play it
Again feature cannot be canceled. Tickets in Jackpot Combo play cannot be
canceled.
(13) This
emergency rule replaces Emergency Rule 53ER20-32, F.A.C.
(14) The effective date of this emergency
rule is June 26, 2020.
Rulemaking Authority 24.105(9)(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (h),
24.109(1), 24.115(1) FS. Law Implemented, 24.105(9)(a), (b), (c) (e), (f), (h),
24.115(1), 24.124(1) FS.