Increase and Breakdown of Mega Millions Ticket Costs and Modifications
In a significant move, the Mega Millions lottery game has undergone a transformation in April 2025, aiming to create bigger and more frequent jackpots, larger local wins, and more millionaires across participating states.
The most notable change is the ticket price increase from $2 to $5 per play. This marks only the second time the game has adjusted its price for more than 20 years. The new starting jackpot for Mega Millions is now $50m, which is expected to grow faster and result in bigger jackpots occurring more frequently.
Each $5 ticket now automatically includes a built-in multiplier (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X) that boosts non-jackpot prizes. This feature, a key element of the Mega Millions game changes, has improved the minimum prize to $10, eliminating break-even prizes. The prize range has expanded, with non-jackpot prizes now ranging from $10 up to $10 million.
The odds of winning any prize in Mega Millions have improved to 1 in 23, providing a better chance for players to take home a prize. The improved odds of winning the jackpot now stand at 1 in 290.4 million.
The Mega Millions game, played in 45 states, the US Virgin Islands, and Washington D.C., remains as one of America's two big jackpot games. The Mega Millions Consortium's Lead Director, Joshua Johnston, stated that these changes deliver bigger non-jackpot prizes, benefiting lottery players across America.
The Mega Millions prize increase does not affect the drawing days, which still take place on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 PM ET. Matching the gold Mega Ball now pays out $10, $15, $20, $25, or even $50, as opposed to the previous prize of $2.
The Mega Millions lottery game's largest jackpot to date was won on August 8, 2023, for a payout of $1.602bn. The updates to the play slips and digital app interfaces were implemented starting April 5, 2025.
These changes are set to bring excitement and anticipation to the Mega Millions lottery game, offering players a chance at bigger winnings and more frequent jackpots.
[1] Source: Mega Millions Press Release, April 2025. [2] Source: Mega Millions Consortium Statement, April 2025. [3] Source: Lottery Retailer Association News, April 2025. [4] Source: National Lottery Association Blog, April 2025. [5] Source: USA Today, April 2025.
The Mega Millions Consortium's move to increase the ticket price and make changes in the game structure aims to boost non-jackpot prizes, as casino-and-gambling enthusiasts will now have a bigger chance to win with the improved odds of 1 in 23. The updated game includes lotteries, with the new starting jackpot set at $50m, and each $5 ticket now comes with a built-in multiplier that affects non-jackpot prizes, ranging from $10 up to $10 million.
