The revamped Mega Millions game, which introduces higher odds and bigger prizes, is now in full swing, and lottery players will notice several key changes.
Joshua Johnston, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, explained that the changes were made based on player feedback. “Players told us they wanted larger non-jackpot prizes, and that’s exactly what the new game delivers,” Johnston said in a recent statement.
The changes were implemented ahead of this week’s drawing, where no one claimed the $54 million jackpot. The top prize for the next drawing has increased to $72 million, set for Friday night at 11 p.m. ET.
In addition to the higher jackpot, the price of a Mega Millions ticket has risen from $2 to $5. This marks the second price increase in the game’s history. However, the new tickets will include a multiplier feature that can increase non-jackpot prizes by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or even 10X.
Previously, players in some states could add a multiplier for an extra dollar with the Megaplier option. However, the “Just the Jackpot” feature will no longer be available under the new rules.
The starting jackpot for the new game is now $50 million, up from the previous starting amount of $20 million. Non-jackpot prizes have also been increased. They will now range from $10 to $10 million, a significant boost from the previous range of $2 to $1 million.
These changes reflect the growing demand for larger prizes and better odds, although the cost of playing has also gone up.
