Starting April 8, Mega Millions is getting a major overhaul — and for players, that means more money on the line, but at a higher price per ticket.
Under the new rules, the minimum jackpot will double from $20 million to $50 million. And if no one wins the top prize? Expect that jackpot to snowball even faster than before.
“Jackpots are expected to grow faster and get to higher dollar amounts more frequently in the new game,” the consortium behind Mega Millions said in a recent statement.
According to estimates, the average jackpot win could climb to over $800 million, up from the current average of $450 million. But it’s not just the headline-making prizes getting a boost — non-jackpot wins are also increasing significantly.
🎉 Bigger Wins — Even Without the Jackpot
Players who once took home $500 might now win $1,000, $2,000, even $5,000 — depending on a new random multiplier added to winning tickets. The new prize range jumps to $10 – $10 million, compared to the current $2 – $1 million.
“Players told us they want bigger non-jackpot prizes,” said Joshua Johnston, Lead Director of the Mega Millions Consortium. “That’s exactly what this new game delivers.”
The overall odds of winning any prize are also improving slightly, moving from 1 in 24 to 1 in 23.
💵 What’s the Catch?
To fund these larger payouts, ticket prices will increase. Starting April 8, it will cost $5 per play, more than double the current $2 entry.
The last time Mega Millions changed its rules was back in 2017. Since then, over 1,200 players have become millionaires under the current system.
Whether you play regularly or just dream of the big win, these changes mean one thing: bigger stakes, bigger rewards, and a bolder Mega Millions.
Source article is from Fortune
