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Texas Lottery Approves Mega Millions Changes
Mega Millions: Texas Lottery Approves Mega Millions Changes
Friday, the Texas Lottery Commission voted to propose rule amendments to the Mega Millions multi-state lottery game, which aim to make the game bigger than ever. The proposed changes come after the California Lottery announced last month that it plans to become the 12th lottery member to join the multi-state game. "We welcome the opportunity to work with the California Lottery, and having them as an addition to the Mega Millions game will help generate those larger jackpots that players like," said Reagan E. Greer, executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission. "Since Texas joined the game in December 2003, sales in Texas for Mega Millions and the Megaplier feature total more than $343.1 million. Of those sales, more than $136.3 million has been transferred to the Foundation School Fund, which helps support public education in Texas." The new Mega Millions game is expected to begin this summer, and is projected to generate more than $67 million in additional revenue for Texas alone from sales for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2005 through Fiscal Year 2009. "There are certainly some new aspects of the game changes that our players will want to be aware of," said Greer. "Overall though, I believe these changes will create a positive scenario for all players and the participating states." Some of the proposed changes to Mega Millions include: - New Matrix: Players will choose five numbers from 1 to 56 and then a Mega Ball number from a second field of 1 to 46.
- Higher Starting Jackpots: The starting grand/jackpot prize amount will change from $10 million to $12 million.
- Higher Payouts For Second And Third Tier Prizes: The second prize level will change from $175,000 to $250,000 and the third prize level will change from $5,000 to $10,000.
- Odds To Win Grand/Jackpot Prize: The odds of matching all the numbers and the Mega Ball for the grand/jackpot prize will change from 1 in 135 million to 1 in 175.7 million.
- Better Overall Odds: The overall odds of winning any prize will be approximately 1 in 40.
There will be no changes made to Texas' Megaplier feature, in which players have the chance to double, triple or quadruple any non-grand/jackpot Mega Millions prize. That means players could have the chance to win up to $1 million for matching the first five numbers, but not the Mega Ball (second prize level) if the Megaplier number drawn is a 4. The proposed changes will be published in the Texas Register for a 30-day public comment period, and a public hearing to comment on the proposed changes is scheduled for April 7, 2005, at 9 a.m. at Lottery headquarters in Austin.
Press Release
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25 comments. Last comment 5 years ago by .
San Angelo, Texas United States Member #1110 January 31, 2003 576 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 14, 2005, 10:30 am - IP Logged |
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I'm confused. Texas is just one of 11 states. Does Greer speak for all of them?
When did Greer get appointed head honcho? I thought the guy in Maryland was the executive
director for MM. What happens should several of the states opt for a different matrix? I don't think the MM members can have different games. Hard not to think that this is more deception by TLC.
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Chief Bottle Washer New Jersey United States Member #1 May 31, 2000 17054 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 14, 2005, 10:43 am - IP Logged |
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It's not deception. Since Mega Millions is run by the states themselves, they each need to approve the changes within their state. Each state will go through a similar exercise. Mega Millions rules are not imposed by one director, they are arrived at through consensus. This story indicates that the new rules will almost certainly go through with no problems.
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United States
Member #11985
February 23, 2005
174 Posts
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| Posted: March 14, 2005, 10:50 am - IP Logged |
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Maybe if all states had the megaplier i could support this. i'd rather they wait till after California joins before making any changes
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Chief Bottle Washer New Jersey United States Member #1 May 31, 2000 17054 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 14, 2005, 11:07 am - IP Logged |
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They are going to wait. That's the point: they are readying the changes to implement once California joins.
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United States Member #2924 November 25, 2003 75 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 14, 2005, 12:03 pm - IP Logged |
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I am just one who is not fond of the big Jackpots but if they did change it. My gosh the odds are overwhelming now at 1:135 million to change it to 1:175 million wow I am sure that there would be some huge JPs. But my opinion is of little value as I am sure the lure of big JPs will win out which is OK. I am fortunate enough to live in an area that borders a Power ball state so I shall just put that extra into power ball rather than Mega Millions
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Amity, Oregon United States Member #3070 December 13, 2003 1193 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 14, 2005, 12:20 pm - IP Logged |
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Looks like megamillions is going to set a new jackpot record with the new rule changes.
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United States Member #2924 November 25, 2003 75 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 14, 2005, 12:38 pm - IP Logged |
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BTW For those of you who do love the big JP's I also think that this is great for you> bigger JP's and bigger second tier and third tier prizes. woo hoo! I myself just don't see it------ the overwhelming desire for huge jackpot records and such but that is just me................ I would rather see 20- 10 million dollar winners than one 200 million dollar winner
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Redmond WA United States Member #6073 July 29, 2004 71 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 14, 2005, 1:25 pm - IP Logged |
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I think this is a good change since California has a population of about 35 million people which will bring the Mega Millions states total population to about 150 million people. All they need to do now is add Florida and we will see a $500 million jackpot. And besides if you win a big jackpot and you feel it's to big you can always share it with the members on this site.
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mid-Ohio United States Member #9 March 24, 2001 10548 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 14, 2005, 1:50 pm - IP Logged |
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Quote: Originally posted by MPJO on March 14, 2005
And besides if you win a big jackpot and you feel it's to big you can always share it with the members on this site.
Nobody ever felt the jackpot they won was too big, just the jackpots won by others.* What happens most *
* will most likely happen again *
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United States
Member #11985
February 23, 2005
174 Posts
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| Posted: March 14, 2005, 1:59 pm - IP Logged |
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i meant wait and see how ticket sales in california for mega millions turns out first before trying to change the matrix and such. This way we can get it right instead of just trying to guess how people in california are going to play. I'd like to see the new rules take effect Jan 2006.
Odds of winning the jackpot goes up 30%
The 2nd and 3rd prizes go up more than 30% so kinda nice.
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Chief Bottle Washer New Jersey United States Member #1 May 31, 2000 17054 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 14, 2005, 2:06 pm - IP Logged |
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Quote: Originally posted by jsk2001 on March 14, 2005
i meant wait and see how ticket sales in california for mega millions turns out first before trying to change the matrix and such. This way we can get it right instead of just trying to guess how people in california are going to play. I'd like to see the new rules take effect Jan 2006.
Odds of winning the jackpot goes up 30%
The 2nd and 3rd prizes go up more than 30% so kinda nice.
I agree with you. I'd rather that they wait, but lottery directors do not seem like patient people.
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USA United States Member #8399 October 29, 2004 1133 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 14, 2005, 4:01 pm - IP Logged |
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Quote: Originally posted by fxdwg on March 14, 2005
I am just one who is not fond of the big Jackpots but if they did change it. My gosh the odds are overwhelming now at 1:135 million to change it to 1:175 million wow I am sure that there would be some huge JPs. But my opinion is of little value as I am sure the lure of big JPs will win out which is OK. I am fortunate enough to live in an area that borders a Power ball state so I shall just put that extra into power ball rather than Mega Millions
 , but huge jackpots remains to be seen. Btw, I won't be playing... not with those new odds!
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USA United States Member #8399 October 29, 2004 1133 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 14, 2005, 4:02 pm - IP Logged |
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Quote: Originally posted by jsk2001 on March 14, 2005
i meant wait and see how ticket sales in california for mega millions turns out first before trying to change the matrix and such. This way we can get it right instead of just trying to guess how people in california are going to play. I'd like to see the new rules take effect Jan 2006.
Odds of winning the jackpot goes up 30%
The 2nd and 3rd prizes go up more than 30% so kinda nice.
Exactly. I posted similar words a short time ago. My reasoning is paper does not always parallel reality.
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BIG D Texas United States Member #2587 October 16, 2003 141 Posts Offline |
| Posted: March 14, 2005, 9:13 pm - IP Logged |
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I for one will continue to play. I play $3.00 per draw and will continue - regardless of the odds. My chances of winning may be mathematically better at 135 million to 1, but in reality if it's meant for me to win, I'll win even if the odds are 1 billion to 1....
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