Lottery players across Brazil have a major date to circle on their calendars. The Caixa Econômica Federal has officially announced a special edition of the country's most popular lottery game, the Mega-Sena, to celebrate three decades of operation. This commemorative draw, numbered 3,010, is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, and features a staggering estimated prize of R$150 million.
A key rule for this particular contest sets it apart from standard weekly draws. The prize pool is structured not to accumulate. In the event that no ticket successfully matches all six required numbers, the full jackpot amount will be distributed among winners in the next prize tier, the "quina" for five correct numbers. If necessary, the prize will cascade down to further winning categories, ensuring the money is awarded.
The window for placing bets is now open. Participants can submit their entries until 10:00 PM Brasília time on Saturday, May 23. The Caixa has made multiple channels available for convenience, including the official Loterias Caixa mobile app, the Loterias Caixa website, and any authorized lottery retail outlet across the nation. Bank clients also have the option to play directly through Caixa's internet banking platform.
For those new to the game, participation is straightforward. A standard bet requires selecting six numbers from a pool of 60. Players can choose their own lucky numbers or opt for the "Surpresinha" feature, which lets the system generate a random selection. The cost for a single basic bet is R$6. Alternatively, players can join collective betting pools, known as "bolões," by filling out the corresponding section on the betting slip.
In a notable update for this anniversary event, the Caixa is introducing a new convenience for group play. For the first time, online bolões will be available for purchase up until one hour before the draw takes place. This extended deadline offers last-minute opportunities for groups to organize and participate in the high-stakes celebration draw.
Based on reporting from g1.