Mega Millions overhaul: Bigger jackpots, increased odds of winning and more
Mega Millions is revamping its game on April 8, with ticket prices increasing to $5 and jackpots beginning at $50 million.
Mega Millions has announced a major overhaul, with bigger jackpots and increased odds of winning. The new rules, which include significantly higher ticket prices, will come into effect in April. “Beyond big jackpots, players told us they want bigger non-jackpot prizes and that's exactly what this new game delivers,” Joshua Johnston, Lead Director of the Mega Millions Consortium, said in an official news release on the lottery's website.
So, here's all you need to know about the overhaul:
When do the new Mega Millions rules apply?
The rule change is set to take place on Tuesday, April 8. This means the final drawing under the previous rules will be on Friday, April 4. However, should there be no jackpot winner under the old game, it will roll into the new game and continue to grow with ticket sales from the new game, per the release.
Additionally, players with a winning ticket issued before the new rules come into effect and those who claim their prize by the deadline set by their participating lottery will be paid according to the “prize matrix in effect during the time of the drawing for their ticket, regardless of when the prize is claimed.”
What are the new Mega Millions ticket prices with default Megaplier?
As part of the overhaul, the lottery is increasing ticket prices to more than double the previous value of $2. The new tickets will be priced at $5. This is the first time the price has increased since 2017. Under the new game, the Multiplier, also known as a Megaplier, which was available for an extra $1, will be defunct.
This is because the new Mega Millions tickets will include a default or a built-in Multiplier, which will increase non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times. Additionally, the “Just the Jackpot” feature available in some states will also be discontinued as part of the overhaul.
“Players who had won $2 in the old game will now take home $10, $15, $20, $25 or $50 under this game. Those who had won $500 under the old rules will now take home $1,000; $1,500; $2,000; $2,500 or $5,000 in this new game. Non-jackpot prizes at every level are going up by 2X to 10X. That's the kind of value the new Mega Millions will deliver to our players at every single drawing,” Johnston added in the release.
How much is the starting jackpot under new game?
Under the new game, the jackpot starts at $50 million, more than double the previous jackpot, which stood at $20 million. The non-jackpot prizes will also see a significant raise, ranging from $10 to $10 million, compared to the $2 to $1 million in the old game.
What are the new odds of winning the jackpot?
The new odds of winning the jackpot will be 1 in 290,472,336 in a striking contrast to the previous 1 in 302,575,350, according to the lottery's official release. Additionally, the overall odds of winning the game will be 1 in 23, compared to 1 in 24 in the old game.