 Mega Millions began in 1996 as "The Big Game".Six years later, the New York and Ohio lotteries joined simultaneously on May 17, 2002; the game was temporarily rebranded "The Big Game Mega Millions".The "Megaplier" (a multiplier of 2, 3, 4, or 5), initially a Texas-only option, eventually became available in all MM jurisdictions, except in California.