The genesis of the *Lottery Mega Millions* began on August 31, 1996. Two lottery directors named Rebecca Paul and Penelope W. Kyle decided to increase the overall lottery games by adding a multi-state lottery to the roster. This game was then known as The Big Game and its participating states were Georgia, Illnois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigans and Virgina. While Georgia remained part of the Big Game for awhile, it was not until after 1996 that it was removed from the roster. No new states would join until 1999 with the state of New Jersey.

In 2002, The Big Game soon changed its name to The Big Game Mega Millions when New York and Ohio joined the roster. Other lotteries to join the Mega Millions were Washington, followed by Texas in 2003 and California in 2005. In 2009, the Multi-State Lottery Association and the Mega Millions Consortium soon agreed to allow cross-selling lottery franchises. As a result of this move, more states began to join the Mega Millions. A year later, these states in order were as follows: Montanna, Nebraska, Oregon, Arizona, Maine, Colorado and South Dakota. By 2011, the *Lottery Mega Millions* was then expanded to include additional lotteries such as Lousiana, The U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.

Today, the *Lottery Mega Millions* is played in over 44 states and territories. One of the largest games ever played in the history of the Mega Millions was recorded to be at $656 million. With the winners in Kansas, Illnois and Maryland, the winning amount was split three ways. While the number of states to join has not changed much, this has not prevented any players from attempting to win big by playing the *Lottery Mega Millions*. As of this moment, there are various lotto players hoping to win big during the next Mega Millions Drawing.