NEW YORK (PIX11) – Starting this weekend, it’ll cost more to play the Mega Millions jackpot but it might also increase your chance of winning.
On Saturday, the cost of a Mega Millions ticket increased to $5, up from its previous cost of $2.
The change comes as the game begins offering bigger prizes for non-jackpot prizes, better winning odds, larger starting jackpots and faster-growing jackpots, according to an announcement from the Mega Millions.
“Players who had won $2 in the old game will now take home $10, $15, $20, $25 or $50 under this game. Those who had won $500 under the old rules will now take home $1,000; $1,500; $2,000; $2,500 or $5,000 in this new game. Non-jackpot prizes at every level are going up by 2X to 10X,” said Joshua Johnston, Lead Director of the Mega Millions Consortium.
This marks the game's first price hike since 2017 and the second-ever in the Mega Millions’ 20-year history.
The first drawing under the new prize structure will be held on Tuesday at 11 p.m.
Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.
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