The Mega Millions lottery has officially rolled out sweeping changes aimed at boosting jackpots, enhancing non-jackpot prizes, and improving overall odds — all while increasing the cost of a ticket.
As of this month, tickets for the multi-state lottery game now cost $5, a sharp increase from the previous $2. It’s only the second price hike in the game’s 23-year history, the last being in 2017. But with this price increase comes a host of other enhancements designed to give players more value and better chances to win.
Mega Millions Changes: Bigger Jackpots, No More Break-Even Wins
Mega Millions jackpot drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET.
Mega Millions is played across 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The consortium behind the lottery says the revamped game will result in larger starting jackpots and faster-growing prize pools, with average jackpots expected to climb from $450 million to more than $800 million.
“The new format delivers exactly what players have asked for — bigger non-jackpot prizes and better odds,” said Joshua Johnston, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium.
One major improvement: no more break-even prizes. Previously, some players would win just $2, effectively breaking even on their $2 ticket. Now, the smallest prize begins at $10, and similar tier upgrades will benefit players who used to win $500 — now eligible for payouts between $1,000 and $5,000.
Odds Improve as Game Format Tweaks
Alongside the price increase, Mega Millions has made subtle but significant changes to the game’s structure to improve winning odds:
- The odds of winning any prize have increased from 1 in 24 to 1 in 23.
- The odds of winning the grand jackpot have slightly improved from 1 in 302.6 million to 1 in 290.5 million, thanks to the removal of one gold “Mega Ball” from the draw.
Additionally, Mega Millions has retired some optional features, including:
- The Megaplier: A $1 add-on that increased non-jackpot winnings, previously available in select states.
- Just the Jackpot: A $3 ticket that gave players two chances to win the jackpot — and nothing else.
When Is the Next Mega Millions Drawing?
The next Mega Millions drawing will take place on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 11 p.m. ET. Players can purchase tickets at authorized lottery retailers in participating states or online in jurisdictions that allow digital sales. To enter, select five numbers from 1 to 70 and one gold Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. Each play costs $5 under the new rules. Players must buy their tickets before the local cutoff time, which varies by state.
Experts: Mega Millions Changes are a Positive Shift
Despite the increase in cost, lottery retailers and insiders say most players will welcome the Mega Millions changes.
“While some customers may initially be surprised, they’ll come to recognize the added benefits this price increase enables,” said Akshay Khanna, CEO of Jackpot.com, which sells tickets in seven states. “This isn’t like paying more for the same subway ride — it’s paying more for better odds and bigger prizes.”
Khanna believes the enhancements will help drive more ticket sales, creating larger jackpots at a faster pace and keeping players engaged.
With these Mega Millions changes now in effect, players across the country are weighing the steeper cost against the promise of life-changing payouts — and it seems many are ready to play.
– More Mega Millions Updates from FingerLakes1.com
This content is brought to you by the FingerLakes1.com Team. Support our mission by visiting www.patreon.com/fl1 or learn how you send us your local content here.