Mega Millions Flaunts New Format Success, Richer Winnings

Mega Millions Flaunts New Format Success, Richer Winnings

Earlier this month, Mega Millions redesigned its gameplay, raising the standard price to play from $2 to $5. Lottery officials report that the change has proven to be successful. 

The Mega Millions Group, which runs the interstate lottery game from the Georgia Lottery Studios in Atlanta, indicates that its players have swiftly adapted to the new format. Although the entry price increased by 150%, every $5 ticket now automatically includes the previously optional Megaplier, which multiplies winnings by two, three, four, five, or ten times. 

In the Mega Millions drawing on April 8, lottery officials reported that 217,904 tickets were awarded a prize of some kind. In the previous format, those victories — presuming none featured the $1 extra Megaplier — would total $840,628. With the integrated multiplier, the victories totaled over $4.32 million.

"We couldn’t be more thrilled for our players and for how the new game is being received. As players are coming into grocery stores, convenience stores, and lottery offices today to collect prizes that are two, three, four, five, and ten times what they’ve seen in the past, it’s putting a smile on their faces, because that’s real, everyday money to most people,” said Joshua Johnston, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium.

“This is why the game change matters; it’s providing value to our players at every prize level and every drawing,” Johnston added.

In comparison to the previous game, Mega Millions representatives state that the updated format offers larger prizes at each non-jackpot tier, enhanced chances to win the jackpot, improved overall odds, a higher starting jackpot, more rapidly increasing jackpots, and eliminates break-even prizes. The odds of winning the jackpot changed from one in 302.2 million to one in 290.4 million. 

Even Lottery Games Are More Expensive 

COVID-19 caused prices for nearly everything to rise. President Donald Trump's trade war is likely to put additional financial pressure on consumers. 

Although the increase in Mega Millions’ ticket prices appears poorly timed, officials from Mega Millions claim they are aware of the economic strain.

"We recognize that in today’s economic climate, players may be feeling unsettled about the price of everyday goods. Mega Millions is about entertainment, and players should always make sure their basic needs are met before purchasing a lottery ticket,” said Johnston.

The Mega Millions spokesperson stated that the game redesign was the result of three years of effort and collaboration among the 47 jurisdictions involved in the game. The increase in the price was just the second adjustment since the first Mega Millions ticket was purchased over 20 years ago. 

Still no $5 Mega Millions jackpot. 

Three Mega Millions draws have occurred since the $5 entry fee was implemented. None of the millions of entries have managed to match

That might alter this evening, as countless Mega Millions participants will eagerly anticipate the 11 pm EST drawing. If a ticket corresponds with all six numbers, the winner can choose to receive the $112 million prize distributed over 29 years or a one-time cash payout of $49.3 million right away. Both awards are subject to federal and potentially state taxes.