MEGA MONEY™

DEPARTMENT OF THE LOTTERY

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
53ER12-20: MEGA MONEY™

SUMMARY: This emergency rule sets forth the provisions for the conduct of MEGA MONEY™. This emergency rule replaces Emergency Rule 53ER08-87, F.A.C.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE EMERGENCY RULE IS: Diane Schmidt, Legal Analyst, Department of the Lottery, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-4011

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE EMERGENCY RULE IS:

53ER12-20 MEGA MONEY™.

(1) How to Play MEGA MONEY™.

(a) MEGA MONEY is a lottery on-line game in which players select four (4) numbers from a field of one (1) through forty-four (44) and one (1) MEGABALL® number from a separate field of one (1) through twenty-two (22).

(b) Players may make their MEGA MONEY ticket selections by marking a play slip or by telling the retailer their desired selections. There are five (5) panels on a play slip, each containing an upper play area and a lower play area. Each panel played will cost $1.00 per drawing. Players may mark their desired numbers on the play slip by selecting five (5) numbers (four (4) in the upper play area and one (1) in the lower play area) from each panel played, or may mark the “Quick Pick” box located at the bottom of each panel for the terminal to randomly select any or all of the five numbers from either or both play areas. 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 four of the five numbers appearing in a single horizontal row on a MEGA MONEY ticket shall be the numbers selected from the upper play area of the play slip and the last number shall be the MEGABALL number selected from the lower play area of the play slip.

(c) Players may mark the $5 “Quick Picks” box to receive one (1) ticket with five (5) sets of five (5) randomly selected numbers for the next MEGA MONEY drawing, or may mark the $10 “Quick Picks” box to receive one (1) ticket with ten (10) sets of five (5) randomly selected numbers for the next MEGA MONEY drawing. Players may mark Quick Picks in addition to panel plays and/or Grouper®. Players must use only blue or black ink or pencil for making selections. Play slips must be processed by a retailer in order to obtain a ticket. Retailers also are authorized to manually enter numbers selected by a player.

(d) Players may play up to thirty consecutive MEGA MONEY drawings by using the “advance play” feature. To use the advance play feature, players may either mark the number of drawings desired in the “Advance Play” section of a 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 (A-E) played. Advance play is not available with Grouper or with the Quick Picks box on the play slip. In the event that a planned change in the MEGA MONEY 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, flalottery.com.

(e) Players may mark the “Grouper®” box to receive six (6) quick pick tickets for $5.00 consisting of one (1) ticket each of CASH 3™, PLAY 4™, FANTASY 5®, MEGA MONEY™, and FLORIDA LOTTO™ plus one (1) free ticket automatically generated by the terminal of either FANTASY 5, MEGA MONEY or FLORIDA LOTTO. Players may mark Grouper in addition to panel plays and/or Quick Picks. Tickets in Grouper play are not player-selected and cannot be cancelled. Grouper play may also be selected by telling the retailer. Free tickets will be generated in the following percentages: FANTASY 5 – 47%; MEGA MONEY – 47%; and FLORIDA LOTTO – 6%.

(2) MEGA MONEY Drawings.

(a) MEGA MONEY drawings shall be conducted two (2) times per week, on Tuesday and Friday.

(b) A MEGA MONEY ball set contains sixty-six (66) balls comprised of one (1) subset of forty-four (44) balls (“subset 1”) and one (1) subset of twenty-two (22) balls (“subset 2”). The balls in subset 1 are numbered one (1) through forty-four (44). The balls in subset 2 are numbered one (1) through twenty-two (22). A MEGA MONEY drawing machine contains two (2) separate mixing chambers and two (2) ball display devices.

(c) Four (4) balls from subset 1 and one (1) MEGABALL from subset 2 will be selected in the drawing. The numbers shown on the four (4) balls and the number shown on the MEGABALL, after certification by the Draw Manager and the Accountant, shall be the official winning numbers for the drawing.

(d) The Florida Lottery shall not be responsible for incorrect circulation, publication or broadcast of official winning numbers.

(3) MEGA MONEY Prize Divisions.

(a) MEGA MONEY is a pari-mutuel game. For each draw, 50 percent (50%) of net sales (gross sales less cancels and free tickets) from the sale of MEGA MONEY tickets in the corresponding MEGA MONEY sales period shall be allocated as the winning pool for the payment of the Jackpot prize, second prize, third prize, fourth prize, fifth prize, sixth prize and seventh prize.

(b) Jackpot Prize. The Jackpot prize pool shall consist of 54.32 percent (54.32%) of the winning pool plus any money carried forward from the prior draw until the Jackpot prize pool reaches the estimated cash equivalent of the deferred payment value of $2 million paid over twenty (20) years, at which point the Jackpot prize pool will be capped. When this threshold is met, the Jackpot prize pool will comprise zero percent of the winning pool in excess of the cap, and any money in excess of the cap shall roll down and be distributed among the second through the seventh prize levels according to the percentage each prize level comprises of the adjusted prize pool. The total winning prize pool, less the amount required to achieve the cap [not to exceed 54.32 percent (54.32%) of the total winning prize pool], shall comprise the adjusted prize pool.

1. If there is a Jackpot prize winner(s) in a drawing, the guaranteed Jackpot prize shall be divided equally among the Jackpot prize winners for that drawing.

2. If there is not a Jackpot prize winner in a drawing and the Jackpot prize pool is not capped, the Jackpot prize pool shall be carried over and added to the Jackpot prize pool of the next MEGA MONEY drawing.

3. If there is not a Jackpot prize winner in a drawing in which the Jackpot prize pool is capped, the capped amount shall be carried over to the next MEGA MONEY drawing and the money in excess of the cap shall be returned to an adjusted prize pool and then be distributed among the second through the seventh prize levels according to the adjusted percentage each prize level comprises of that winning prize pool.

(c) Second Prize. When the Jackpot prize pool is not capped, the second prize pool shall consist of 1.72 percent (1.72%) of the winning pool for the drawing. When the Jackpot prize pool is capped, the second prize pool shall consist of 3.75 percent (3.75%) of the adjusted prize pool for the drawing. The second prize pool shall be divided equally among the second prize winners for that drawing.

(d) Third Prize. When the Jackpot prize pool is not capped, the third prize pool shall consist of 3.77 percent (3.77%) of the winning pool for the drawing. When the Jackpot prize pool is capped, the third prize shall consist of 8.20 percent (8.20%) of the adjusted prize pool for the drawing. The third prize pool shall be divided equally among the third prize winners for that drawing.

(e) Fourth Prize. When the Jackpot prize pool is not capped, the fourth prize pool shall consist of 11.25 percent (11.25%) of the winning pool for the drawing. When the Jackpot prize pool is capped, the fourth prize pool shall consist of 24.50 percent (24.50%) of the adjusted prize pool for the drawing. The fourth prize pool shall be divided equally among the fourth prize winners for that drawing.

(f) Fifth Prize. When the Jackpot prize pool is not capped, the fifth prize pool shall consist of 7.84 percent (7.84%) of the winning pool for the drawing. When the Jackpot prize pool is capped, the fifth prize pool shall consist of 17.25 percent (17.25%) of the adjusted prize pool for the drawing. The fifth prize pool shall be divided equally among the fifth prize winners for that drawing.

(g) Sixth Prize. When the Jackpot prize pool is not capped, the sixth prize pool shall consist of 7.94 percent (7.94%) of the winning pool for the drawing. When the Jackpot prize pool is capped, the sixth prize pool shall consist of 18 percent (18%) of the adjusted prize pool for the drawing. The sixth prize pool shall be divided equally among the sixth prize winners for that drawing.

(h) Seventh Prize. When the Jackpot prize pool is not capped, the seventh prize pool shall consist of 13.16 percent (13.16%) of the winning pool for the drawing. When the Jackpot prize pool is capped, the seventh prize pool shall consist of 28.30 percent (28.30%) of the adjusted prize pool for the drawing. The seventh prize pool shall be divided equally among the seventh prize winners for that drawing.

(i) Eighth Prize.

1. An eighth prize shall consist of one free MEGA MONEY quick pick ticket ($1.00 value), except as provided in subparagraph (5)(i) 2. below. An eighth prize shall consist of one (1) free MEGA MONEY quick pick ticket regardless of whether the MEGA MONEY Jackpot prize pool is capped. Eighth prizes shall not utilize any portion of the winning prize pool or adjusted prize pool for the drawing.

2. A player who submits by mail a MEGA MONEY lottery ticket which entitles the claimant to a free MEGA MONEY quick pick ticket and whose mailing address is outside the state of Florida will receive a check for $1.00 in lieu of an actual ticket.

(j) If there is not a winner within one of the second through seventh prize categories for a drawing, the prize pool for that category shall be distributed for that drawing in accordance with the following table:

 

PRIZE POOL CATEGORY FOR WHICH THERE IS NO WINNER	PRIZE POOL CATEGORY TO WHICH THE NONWINNING PRIZE POOL CATEGORY IS ADDED
Second Prize 4 of 4	3 of 4 + MEGABALL
Third Prize 3 of 4 + MEGABALL	3 of 4
Fourth Prize 3 of 4	2 of 4 + MEGABALL
Fifth Prize 2 of 4 + MEGABALL	1 of 4 + MEGABALL
Sixth Prize 1 of 4 + MEGABALL	2 of 4
Seventh Prize 2 of 4	To fund future prizes in Lottery games or for special Lottery prize promotions

 

(k) Any rounding differences that derive from the distribution of the winning pool to the Jackpot and second through seventh prize pools will be deposited into a reserve account to be used for prizes or special prize promotions. Rounding differences will not be rolled into the Jackpot prize pool as in the FLORIDA LOTTO™ game because the percentage of the winning pool allocated to the Jackpot prize pool varies depending upon whether the Jackpot prize pool is capped. When the Jackpot pool is capped, the prize distribution percentage to the Jackpot prize pool becomes 0%.

(l) Except for the Jackpot prize, all prizes will be rounded down to the nearest fifty cents ($.50); provided, however, that the sixth and seventh prizes shall be no less than $2.00. All rounding differences will be deposited into a reserve account to be used for prizes or special prize promotions. If the funds available for the payment of sixth and seventh prizes are insufficient to pay the minimum amount, the percentage described in paragraph (3)(a) above will be adjusted or funds available from any other funding source approved by the Legislature will be used to cover the prize liability.

(4) Determination of Prize Winners.

(a) Wherever used, the terms “Jackpot prize” and “top prize” both refer to the highest prize level in the MEGA MONEY game.

(b) In order for a ticket to be a winning ticket, numbers appearing in a single horizontal row on the ticket (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, or J) must match the official winning MEGA MONEY numbers in any order for the draw date for which the ticket was purchased, in one of the following combinations:

1. Jackpot Prize: Four (4) numbers selected from the first subset of balls plus the MEGABALL number selected from the second subset of balls.

2. Second Prize: Four numbers (4) selected from the first subset of balls excluding the MEGABALL number selected from the second subset of balls.

3. Third Prize: Three (3) numbers selected from the first subset of balls plus the MEGABALL number selected from the second subset of balls.

4. Fourth Prize: Three (3) numbers selected from the first subset of balls excluding the MEGABALL number selected from the second subset of balls.

5. Fifth Prize: Two (2) numbers selected from the first subset of balls plus the MEGABALL number selected from the second subset of balls.

6. Sixth Prize: One (1) number selected from the first subset of balls plus the MEGABALL number selected from the second subset of balls.

7. Seventh Prize: Two (2) numbers selected from the first subset of balls excluding the MEGABALL number selected from the second subset of balls.

8. Eighth Prize: No numbers selected from the first subset of balls and the MEGABALL number selected from the second subset of balls.

(5) MEGA MONEY Odds of Winning.

(a) The odds of winning the prizes described in subsection (3) are as follows:

1. Jackpot Prize – 1:2,986,522.00

2. Second Prize – 1:142,215.33

3. Third Prize – 1:18,665.76

4. Fourth Prize – 1:888.85

5. Fifth Prize – 1:638.15

6. Sixth Prize – 1:75.57

7. Seventh Prize- 1:30.39

8. Eighth Prize- 1:32.68

(b) The overall odds of winning a prize in a MEGA MONEY drawing are 1:12.58.

(6) MEGA MONEY Guaranteed Jackpot.

(a) For each drawing the Lottery will announce a guaranteed deferred payment value of the MEGA MONEY Jackpot that can be won by a single player, based upon the estimated cash value of the Jackpot pool determined by projected and historical sales figures, current interest rates, and funds from rollovers. For each MEGA MONEY drawing, the deferred payment value of the MEGA MONEY Jackpot prize that can be won by a single player shall be guaranteed at a minimum of $500,000 paid over twenty (20) years except as set forth in paragraph (7)(e) below.

(b) For prizes to be paid in annual installments, if the cash available in the Jackpot prize pool is insufficient at the time the ticket is claimed to yield the announced guaranteed Jackpot value over the designated deferred payment period, the Lottery shall add to the Jackpot prize pool funds available from any other funding source approved by the Legislature to render it sufficient to yield the announced guaranteed Jackpot.

(c) For prizes to be paid in annual installments, if the cash available in the Jackpot pool is more than sufficient at the time the ticket is claimed to yield the announced guaranteed Jackpot value over the designated deferred payment period, the Lottery shall deposit the excess funds into a reserve account to be used for prizes or special prize promotions.

(d) The guaranteed cash option value of the Jackpot will be the amount required on the day of the drawing or, if the drawing is held on a holiday, the business day prior to the drawing, to purchase securities to fund the announced guaranteed deferred payment value of the Jackpot. This day shall be referred to as the “prize determination day.”

(e) For prizes to be paid in a single cash payment, if the cash available in the Jackpot pool is insufficient on the prize determination day to yield the announced guaranteed Jackpot value over the designated deferred payment period, the Lottery shall add to the Jackpot pool funds available from any other funding source approved by the Legislature to render it sufficient to yield the announced guaranteed Jackpot.

(f) For prizes to be paid in a single cash payment, if the cash available in the Jackpot pool is sufficient on the prize determination day to yield more than the announced guaranteed Jackpot value over the designated deferred payment period, the Lottery shall deposit the excess funds into a reserve account to be used for prizes or special prize promotions.

(7) MEGA MONEY Payment Options.

(a) Players can choose one of two payment options for receiving their portion of the MEGA MONEY Jackpot prize. Payment options are “Cash Option” and “Annual Payment.”

(b) Jackpot prize winners have sixty (60) days after the winning draw date to choose between the two (2) payment options. Once the Jackpot prize winner files a claim and exercises the winner's chosen option, the election of that option shall be final. In order to select the Cash Option, the Jackpot prize winner must submit his or her ticket for payment within sixty (60) days after the winning draw date. If the Jackpot prize winner does not file a claim electing the Cash Option within sixty (60) days after the winning draw date, the Annual Payment option will be applied, except as provided in paragraph (7)(f) below.

(c) A Jackpot prize winner who chooses the Cash Option will receive one (1) lump sum cash payment of the amount required on the prize determination day to purchase securities to fund the announced guaranteed Jackpot paid over twenty (20) years, less applicable withholding taxes. The amount of the Cash Option payment to multiple Jackpot winners will be their pro rata share of the amount required on the prize determination day to purchase securities to fund the announced guaranteed Jackpot paid over twenty (20) years, less applicable withholding taxes,

(d) If a Jackpot prize winner elects the Annual Payment option, his or her portion of the guaranteed Jackpot prize will be paid in twenty (20) annual installments, each less applicable withholding taxes.

(e) If the prize amount per winner in a MEGA MONEY drawing cannot be paid in increments of $1,000 in twenty (20) installments, the winner’s share of the prize pool will be invested in U.S. Treasury securities that will yield the maximum amount possible over twenty (20) years as can be reached in increments of $1,000. If the amount the investment will yield is less than the guaranteed Jackpot amount, the present value of the difference between the amount the investment will yield and the winner’s guaranteed prize amount over twenty (20) years will be paid to the winner in the first payment. The following example illustrates such payment. All payment amounts are less tax withholding.

Example: Guaranteed Jackpot prize$ 500,000

Number of winners:2

Guaranteed prize per winner($500,000 ÷ 2)$250,000

Annual Payment ($250,000 ÷ 20)$ 12,500

Maximum Security Available for annual payments$ 12,000

Total Annual Payments$ 240,000

Difference between guaranteed prize and investments available$ 10,000

Present Value of Difference to be added to the 1st payment *$ X,XXX

* Will be calculated based on current interest rates at the time the investments are purchased.

The provisions of this paragraph (7)(e) shall not be construed to prohibit the Lottery from investing collectively, in a single U.S. Treasury security, the prize pool shares of multiple winners of the same drawing who all elect the Annual Payment option, and distributing the prize winnings on a pro rata basis in increments other than $1,000.

(f) If the number of winners of a guaranteed Jackpot prize results in each person’s prize being less than $100,000 paid over twenty (20) years, the Lottery shall pay the Jackpot winners in a single cash payment of their pro rata share of the amount required on the prize determination day to purchase securities to fund the announced guaranteed Jackpot paid over twenty (20) years, less applicable withholding taxes.

(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 MONEY Jackpot prize prior to the prize payment, under either the Cash Option or the Annual Payment Option, shall accrue to the State of Florida and not to the winner.

(8) MEGA MONEY Rules and Prohibitions.

(a) By purchasing a MEGA MONEY ticket, a player agrees to comply with and abide by all rules and regulations of the Florida Lottery.

(b) MEGA MONEY prize payments shall be made in accordance with rules of the Florida Lottery 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.

(c) Subject to a retailer’s hours of operation and on-line system availability, MEGA MONEY lottery tickets are available for purchase daily between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time (ET).

(d) The scheduled time for the Tuesday and Friday MEGA MONEY drawings is approximately 11:15 p.m., ET. Ticket sales for a specific MEGA MONEY drawing will close at approximately 10:40 p.m., ET. Any ticket sold after the close of game will be printed with the next MEGA MONEY draw date.

(e) Retailer cancellations of MEGA MONEY tickets can only be performed by the retailer who sold the ticket, using the selling terminal’s optical mark reader, and within two (2) hours after printing, except that no MEGA MONEY ticket can be cancelled after game close for the related drawing and no eighth prize (free MEGA MONEY quick pick ticket) can be cancelled at any time. MEGA MONEY tickets that produce cash prize coupons, entry vouchers or free MEGA MONEY tickets in a promotion cannot be cancelled. The two (2) hour ticket cancellation period may be reduced due to the selling retailer’s hours of business operation, the hours of on-line system availability, or the time of the related MEGA MONEY close of game.

(f) It is the responsibility of the player to determine the accuracy of selected panels of numbers and date(s) on tickets. In the event that a ticket given to the player by the retailer contains selections which are not consistent with the player’s selections, it shall be the responsibility of the player to immediately advise the retailer of that fact. In such event and upon request of the player within the time period specified herein, the retailer shall make a good faith effort to cancel the ticket. A retailer is not required to cancel a ticket produced upon request of the player by the quick pick method of number selection.

(9) The effective date of this emergency rule is February 26, 2012,

Rulemaking Authority 24.105(9)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (h), 24.109(1), 24.115(1) FS. Law Implemented, 24.105(9)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (h), 24.115(1), 24.124(1) FS. History–New 2-26-12, Replaces 53ER08-87.

 

THIS RULE TAKES EFFECT UPON BEING FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE UNLESS A LATER TIME AND DATE IS SPECIFIED IN THE RULE.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 26, 2012