Mega Millions to Increase Ticket Price, Ditch Megaplier and Just the Jackpot Options

Mega Millions to Increase Ticket Price, Ditch Megaplier and Just the Jackpot Options

Mega Millions is said to be gearing up for significant changes in its operational procedures for the interstate lottery game. 

In April, Casino.org reported murmurs initially disclosed by LotteryGeeks.com indicating that the Mega Millions Consortium was considering a significant increase in ticket prices. 

Recently revealed documents from the Texas Lottery indicate that the rise in costs is merely one of several major modifications expected for the lottery game played across 45 states, Washington, DC, and the US Virgin Islands. 

The suggested modifications to Mega Millions are set for April 8, 2025. 

Massive Transformations 

Although the Mega Millions Consortium remains silent about the alleged gameplay modifications, the Texas Lottery’s proposed regulatory changes indicate that the cost of a basic ticket is set to rise from $2 to $5 starting next April. 

The $1 Megaplier add-on is also scheduled to end. The Megaplier enables tickets that have won non-jackpot prizes to increase their payout by two, three, four, or five times. 

In addition to selecting five white balls and a gold Mega Ball, the ongoing Mega Millions draws taking place on Tuesday and Friday evenings feature a Megaplier draw that appears in 2x, 3x, 4x, and 5x multipliers. The Megaplier collection consists of 15 balls, featuring five labeled 2x, six 3x, three 4x, and one 5x. 

Rather than the optional Megaplier, the suggested regulations recommend establishing an automatic multiplier that might increase non-jackpot winnings by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times. 

States that provide the Just the Jackpot option, allowing players two chances to win the jackpot for $3 without featuring lower-tier prizes, is also set to end. The Just the Jackpot is currently available in 14 states — Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey.

The quantity of gold Mega Balls will be decreased from 25 to 24. That will marginally enhance the players’ chances of one in 302.57 million of winning the jackpot. The reduction of the Mega Ball would enhance the overall chances of winning a prize since the gold ball is involved in determining five lesser-tier prizes.

"The game changes are anticipated to generate increased interest by offering players the potential for larger jackpots, improved chances of winning through improved overall odds, improved chances of winning the jackpot prize through improved jackpot prize odds, and a new embedded multiplier feature that offers players the chance to increase non-jackpot prizes up to ten times,” the Texas Lottery explanation read.

The estimated Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday, September 10, stands at $800 million. The lump-sum cash alternative amounts to $401.8 million. 

Massive Backlash 

If Mega Millions implements the changes mentioned earlier, Powerball, its main competitor, might emerge as the major beneficiary. Our April reporting on the suggested rise in ticket prices from $2 to $5, marking a 150% hike, received strong reactions, with almost all responses opposing it.

"I play a ticket in every Mega Millions and Powerball drawing. I will no longer play Mega Millions if this is true,” commented Lou on the $5 rumors.

“Mega Millions is drunk with delusion thinking they can get away with a $5 basic price to play,” added Eddie.

“I would only pay $5 if the jackpot was over a billion,” said Bob. “This could actually save me money.”