$5 Mega Millions Launches in April with Bigger Prizes and Better Odds

ATLANTA, Ga. — The Mega Millions lottery is set to undergo a significant overhaul, introducing a new structure that promises higher jackpots and improved odds for players. Official changes will take effect starting Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

The most notable shift is the increase in ticket prices from $2 to $5 per play. This marks only the second price hike since the game’s inception over two decades ago, with the last increase occurring in 2017. Joshua Johnston, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, stated, “Beyond big jackpots, players told us they want bigger non-jackpot prizes, and that’s exactly what this new game delivers.”

The current game’s final drawing is scheduled for Friday, April 4, before the transition begins. Any winning tickets from that drawing will be honored at the existing prize levels, rather than the new structure.

The revamped Mega Millions will launch with a starting jackpot of $50 million, a substantial increase from the previous $20 million. Additionally, the average jackpot win is expected to soar to $800 million or more, compared to $450 million previously.

In a move to enhance player experience, the new game will include a built-in multiplier, offering players the chance to multiply their non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5, or even 10 times. The overall odds of winning any prize will improve slightly, moving from 1 in 24 to 1 in 23. Meanwhile, jackpot odds will be adjusted to 1 in 290,472,336 from the previous odds of 1 in 302,575,350.

The Mega Millions game will also retire some features, such as the “Just the Jackpot” option, which allowed players to only play for the jackpot without consideration for other prize levels. Additionally, the previous Megaplier feature will be replaced by the new embedded multiplier.

“Every non-jackpot win will multiply its base prize automatically, and the payout range will be increased,” Johnston added. The new prize tiers for non-jackpot winners will range from $10 to $10 million, drastically higher than the current range of $2 to $1 million.

Players can purchase Mega Millions tickets at various retail locations, including convenience stores and gas stations. Online purchases are also available in several states through platforms like the Jackpocket app, which allows ticket ordering and ticket management directly from mobile devices.

As of now, the Mega Millions jackpot stands at an estimated $344 million, with cash options available for winners. This extensive overhaul aims to create more excitement for players and encourage public participation in the lottery system, which benefits various local community programs nationwide.

With the adjustments set to begin in April, lottery enthusiasts are eager to see how these changes will shape the future of Mega Millions and potentially provide a more rewarding experience overall.