Mega Millions, a national lottery game with tickets sold in 45 states, Washington, DC and the US Virgin Islands, is getting a big makeover.
A “new and improved game” is coming in April 2025 — and tickets will cost more than double the current Mega Millions price announced through a press release Monday.
A ticket will cost $5 after the changes take effect. Mega Millions currently costs $2 per game.
The company says the new game will have “improved odds of winning the jackpot” and bigger jackpots that happen more often. There will also be built-in “multipliers” and no equal prizes.
“We're creating a game that both our existing players and people new to Mega Millions will love and be excited to play,” Joshua Johnston, chief executive officer of the Mega Millions Consortium, said in a statement. “We expect more billion-dollar jackpots than ever before.”
Mega Millions was first launched in 2002. The current game version and prize was adopted in 2017. Drawings occur at 11:00 PM ET on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Of course, the reactions on social networks have not been positive so far.
Mega Millions will see a huge drop in sales https://t.co/s3S8b4XEir
— Slab Head (@MrSlabBulkhead) October 8, 2024
“The cost of a Mega Millions ticket has more than doubled, but the multi-state lottery game is promising that bigger prizes come with better odds.”
Well, less bad odds. A little less bad.
— Classic McDavid (@henchman21) October 8, 2024
Maybe you'll never buy a lottery ticket after April ???#MegaMillions going for $5 (PESE!) a ticket. From 2 dollars. ??
Their reason: bigger jackpots. Each ticket is a multiplier. Winners will receive a minimum cashback of $10.
Also: greed. #The lottery
— Michael O'Donnell (@Michaeloptv) October 7, 2024
Still, lottery officials are hopeful.
“(We're) creating more billionaires and many more millionaires as the jackpots grow, plus this game will continue the important legacy of supporting great causes wherever Mega Millions is played,” Johnston added.