Mega Millions Ticket Price Hike and Key Adjustments Explained
The popular lottery game Mega Millions underwent a significant transformation on April 8, 2025, with the ticket price increasing from $2 to $5. This change marked the first major update since the new prize matrix was adopted in 2017 [1].
The Mega Millions Consortium's Lead Director, Joshua Johnston, expressed that these changes deliver bigger non-jackpot prizes to players [2]. The updates include bigger starting jackpots (starting at $50 million), faster jackpot growth, higher minimum prizes ($10 minimum wins), a built-in multiplier on every play, and improved odds for jackpots [1][5].
The new multiplier feature boosts non-jackpot prizes between 2X and 10X, providing players with the opportunity to win more than they pay for the cost to play [3]. Moreover, the odds of winning non-jackpot prizes have improved, allowing players to win double their wager or a minimum of $10 [4].
With the new ticket price, players can now win up to $10 million maximum within the non-jackpot tiers [6]. The built-in multiplier can further increase these winnings, making the Mega Millions game even more exciting.
The Mega Millions game is played in 45 states, the US Virgin Islands, and Washington D.C. [7]. It's one of America's two big jackpot games, offering life-changing opportunities to millions of players.
The new odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 290.4 million [8]. Despite the longer odds, the larger jackpots and improved prize structures promise more frequent and bigger wins [1][5].
It's important to note that players needed to use new play slips from April 5, 2025, as old slips were no longer valid [1]. The $5 price is only the second ticket price increase in Mega Millions history, which was previously $1 originally, then $2 before this 2025 revision [3].
The Mega Millions game has made headlines in the past for its massive jackpots. The largest jackpot to date was won on August 8, 2023, for a payout of $1.602 billion [9]. Under the new prize matrix, jackpots can grow faster and bigger, promising even more exciting draws in the future.
Players are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new game rules and enjoy the enhanced Mega Millions experience.
[1] https://www.megamillions.com/news/2025/03/megamillions-announces-major-game-upgrades-and-price-increase [2] https://www.megamillions.com/news/2025/04/megamillions-lead-director-discusses-game-upgrades-and-price-increase [3] https://www.megamillions.com/about/history [4] https://www.megamillions.com/howtoplay [5] https://www.megamillions.com/prizes [6] https://www.megamillions.com/jackpots [7] https://www.megamillions.com/where-to-play [8] https://www.megamillions.com/odds [9] https://www.megamillions.com/winning-numbers/2023/08/08
- The changes in Mega Millions, which include a higher ticket price and new prize structures, not only affect the lottery game but also have repercussions for the broader business sector, particularly in finance, given the potential increase in revenue.
- The Mega Millions Consortium, in collaboration with casino-and-gambling and lotteries industries, has introduced a multiplier feature that significantly boosts non-jackpot prizes, potentially leading to increased player engagement and revenue.
