New ticket price, number matrix, odds, and prize amounts
By Kate Northrop
The Massachusetts Lottery is giving its in-state draw game Megabucks an entire makeover, with changes coming to odds, prizes, and ticket prices.
Massachusetts lottery players can expect to see an overhaul of the local Megabucks draw game tomorrow, which will completely alter the odds, prizes, and price point of a ticket.
On Monday, the Massachusetts Lottery announced that the Megabucks game is being redesigned to "bring more value to players" with the promise of better odds of winning, a higher average jackpot, and bigger payouts for all non-jackpot prizes.
The Lottery is also adding more opportunities to play by installing a Monday drawing in the current Wednesday and Saturday draw schedule.
One notable change coming to Megabucks is the number matrix. Instead of choosing six numbers from 1 to 49, players will now choose six numbers from 1 to 44. As a result, the odds of winning the jackpot by matching all six numbers is significantly improving from 1 in 13,983,826 to 1 in 7,059,052.
The number of non-jackpot prize tiers will remain the same — players will still win prizes for matching three, four, or five winning numbers. The change to the number matrix means that the overall odds of winning any prize have gone from 1 in 54 to 1 in 39.3.
Megabucks is also doing away with the "Doubler" component, and the cost of a ticket is increasing from $1 to $2. In return, the Lottery is doubling all non-jackpot prizes. For example, matching five winning numbers used to win a $2,500 second-tier prize. Starting tomorrow, the second-tier prize for matching five winning numbers will be $5,000.
This will mark the final year of the Megabucks Doubler format since its inception in 2009. Having launched in November 1982, the Megabucks game has seen several changes throughout its history.
"The Megabucks game has been making millionaires in Massachusetts for over 40 years, and we are excited about these enhancements that will result in more winners at all prize levels, including the jackpot," Lottery Executive Director Mark William Bracken said in a press release.
One aspect of the game that will not change is the starting jackpot, which will remain at $500,000.
The new game format will go into effect starting tomorrow, Sun., Nov. 12, and the first drawing to reflect these changes will occur on Mon., Nov. 13.
According to the Lottery, the largest jackpot in Megabucks or Megabucks Doubler history is a $21.7 million prize that was split by eight winning tickets on Oct. 16, 1985. At the time, it was the third-largest jackpot in U.S. history.
The largest jackpot won on a single ticket in the game's history is $16.35 million, which was won in the Sept. 10, 2022 drawing by a ticket sold in Ware.
Megabucks drawings will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 9:00 pm EST. All winning numbers, prizes and odds are published on Lottery Post's Massachusetts Lottery Results page right after each drawing.
Thanks to HUN RockMan for the tip.
There are other games to spend $2 on. Leave the $1 jackpot games alone. That, and the added days they take our money.
I think if they did all that and still let the ticket price be $1, then probably the changes would be beneficial to the player.
However the increase in ticket cost and the extra Monday drawing, mmh, not sure about that.
I am not into analytics so not sure if all this is good for the player or good for the House.
I'm sure.
It's good for the House. G5
The House always wins.
That's what they say 🤷🏾♂️
I don't think this change will do much to add excitement to the game.
Personally I generally don't purchase a ticket until it reàches 5 mil ...... and that was @ a buck a ticket.
Now at 2 bucks a ticket and better odds I might buy a ticket at 7.5 mil but, I kinda doubt the jackpot will make it that high.
I know, greedy right? Yep! Blame it on the powerball/ megamillions syndrome. Bigger is better.
Hey I kept my word .... I haven't purchased a PB/MM ticket since they were last hit. I said I would now buy 1 ticket + pp/mp ($3) per every 100 mil cash value ... And I bought a ticket for both games this Monday and Tuesday.
Discipline is the name of the game, baby!
Actually, this game change is very reasonable for $2.00.
The lower tier payouts are very close to what we would like to see for these odds:
I think when compared to lucky 4 Life which is a $2 game and a fixed jackpot. I think Megabucks still does better in the jackpot prize.
I totally remember the vows you made on buying 1 ticket for every 100 mil cash value.
Congratulations on the self discipline.
I told myself that I will play PB and MM on Friday and Saturday Only and play Lucky 4 Life which has far better winning odds on Monday to Friday.
So far I have stuck with that.
When the cash value gets to 200M, I will add another ticket.
Are you now playing all the drawings for PB and MM or just specific days?
Hey I kept my word .... I haven't purchased a PB/MM ticket since they were last hit. I said I would now buy 1 ticket + pp/mp ($3) per every 100 mil cash value ... And I bought a ticket for both games this Monday and Tuesday.
Congrats with the discipline.
Do you know it just took 13 draws to get to over 100M cash value.
For someone who buys a ticket for every draw that's $26 or $39 with Powerplay.
I wish you luck - let's do this.
I will not be worried if I miss a drawing or two at this level but when it gets 500 mil or more I try not to miss a game. Wow I said that with some authority now I'll get back to you when I fail to live up to my goal.
Grumpy grouper MIGHT entertain the thought of a Season ticket for this next year, but doubt it. Still not happy with two HQRS I believe in Dorchester, MA and yet they just had to waste money getting the Atlanta service center. Used to enjoy talking to the gals up there about MA related things.
On another subject with Hoosier Lotto in which an email was sent to them. Tried playing 3 draws on PB/PP on a QP slip on two different locations. Each time the tickets were just for one draw. Asked them to fill out a slip like I did to see what happens. Next time I go there will just ask for what I need (want)!
Haha, I will be here like a Catholic Priest waiting for your confessions 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
6 of 44 and Ball drawn??? Woo Hoo!!!!!
The only problem I see is the jackpot getting won too much and it won't be getting up high too often
With all those eggheads in the universities out there I expect someone will come up with a good way to win this version a couple few times a year.
It's never that easy.
I don't think they will be able to do that.
If anyone wins it's just luck as always 😁