A new and enhanced Mega Millions game arrives in April featuring jackpots that start at more than double their current size, grow faster and offer better odds to win. Here’s what you need to know about the mega makeover:
- Will the jackpots be larger?
The starting jackpot will reset to $50 million following a jackpot win, an increase of $30 million.
- Will jackpots grow faster?
The Mega Millions Consortium estimates that the average jackpot win in the new game will be more than $800 million vs. approximately $450 million in the current game as jackpots are expected to grow faster in the new game.
- Will there be better odds to win?
Odds to win the jackpot will improve to 1 in 290 million from 1 in 302 million. Overall odds to win any prize will improve to one in 23 from one in 24 because the new game will feature 24 Mega Balls instead of 25 in the current game.
- Will the non-jackpot prizes be larger?
Every non-jackpot win will multiply its base prize by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X automatically. Prizes in the new game will range from $10 to $10 million vs. the $2 to $1 million in the current game.
- Do I still need to add a “Megaplier” to my ticket?
The “Megaplier” add on feature that is currently available for an additional $1 will be replaced with the built-in multiplier so all wins will be automatically multiplied by at least 2X.
- Will the cost of tickets change?
Since the new Mega Millions game features higher value prizes throughout the game and better odds to win, the price of tickets will be $5 per play. That is the first price change since 2017. Players will win a minimum prize of $10 on a winning ticket. That means every winning ticket will pay out at least double its cost. Currently, the minimum prize on a winning ticket equals the cost to play.
- When will these changes go into effect?
These changes will go into effect after the final drawing of the current game on Friday, April 4. The first drawing under the new prize structure will be held Tuesday, April 8.
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