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Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | Mega Millions to change lottery game's game and prize structure Mega Millions: Mega Millions to change lottery game's game and prize structureUpdated: April 30, 2005, 8:10 am First drawing of new game set for June 24 When California becomes the 12th state in which the Mega Millions multi-state lottery game is played, players across the country will see changes that will make it even more exciting. The addition of California as a Mega Millions state adds 35.9 million people to the population of Mega Millions states, which increases the 12-state game total to 155.1 million, an increase of 30%. Californians are expected to be as enthusiastic about Mega Millions as any of the other Mega Millions states. The California Lottery's in-state jackpot game, Super Lotto Plus, has been very popular, reaching a jackpot of $193 million in February, 2002. The basic Mega Millions game concept will not change. The price of tickets will remain at $1, and Mega Millions drawings will continue to be held Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 10:00 p.m. Central Time, and 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time. "The components that have made Mega Millions such a hit will not change," said Virginia Lottery Executive Director Penelope W. Kyle. "These changes will just add to the excitement." California is expected to join the Mega Millions game in June, and the first drawing of the new Mega Millions game will be June 24. Virginia Lottery officials are working with other Mega Millions states to craft changes to generate the higher and faster-rising jackpots players say they want. The changes will include:
- The prize for matching the first five Mega Millions numbers but not the Mega Ball number will increase from $175,000 to $250,000.
- The prize for matching four numbers plus the Mega Ball number will increase from $5,000 to $10,000.
- Players will select five numbers between 1 and 56 and a Mega Ball between 1 and 46, instead of the current 1 through 52 and Mega Ball between 1 and 52.
- That will change the odds of hitting the jackpot from about 1 in 135 million to about 1 in 176 million.
- The jackpot will start at $12 Million (a $2 Million increase). More players and longer odds will lead to higher and faster-rising jackpots.
- The odds of winning any Mega Millions prize will change from 1 in 43 to 1 in 40.
Mega Millions (formerly the Big Game) holds the record for the largest jackpot in North American history. It reached $363 million in May of 2000. Mega Millions is currently played in Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. For more information about Mega Millions, visit USA Mega at http://www.usamega.com.
Lottery Post Staff We'd love to see your comments here! Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums. If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment. 29 comments. Last comment 12 years ago by . Tennessee United States Member #7853 October 15, 2004 11350 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 29, 2005, 10:21 pm - IP Logged | |
it will be very interesting to see how mega millions and powerball do with the new changes...... | | |
White Lake,Mi United States Member #1495 May 12, 2003 5546 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 30, 2005, 6:25 am - IP Logged | |
Just a guess ..but I think the mega will out perform the pb and that dventually they will merge. Before that happens the mega will increase the gold ball to 52 or 56...mostly because the jackpots will be won quicker than they thought...but that is just a guess...or is it??? lol VAL Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me: I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend. Albert Camus | | |
Tennessee United States Member #7853 October 15, 2004 11350 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 30, 2005, 6:41 am - IP Logged | |
very interesting,i wonder if that fcould happen.... | | |
Holt MI United States Member #2244 September 4, 2003 69 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 30, 2005, 7:37 am - IP Logged | |
This would be the perfect time to add one more enhancement to the game. The megaplier such as Texas has, would offer players a chance to win even more money in the lower prize tiers, which they are more likely to hit and win. Powerball has offered this option for years, and it has not hurt sales, but has probably increased them. | | |
Tennessee United States Member #7853 October 15, 2004 11350 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 30, 2005, 7:39 am - IP Logged | |
is mega millions still not going to add the megaplier when the chages take place? i thought they were i must be wrong.... | | |
Tennessee United States Member #7853 October 15, 2004 11350 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 30, 2005, 7:40 am - IP Logged | |
powerball has this feature so i don't know what keeps mega millions from adding it.... | | |
United States Member #3271 January 7, 2004 148 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 30, 2005, 10:24 am - IP Logged | |
Just because Powerball is making changes, does not mean that Mega Millions has to copy them and do the same! I think it's unnecessary on Mega's part. | | |
Chief Bottle Washer New Jersey United States Member #1 May 31, 2000 23718 Posts Online | | Posted: April 30, 2005, 10:39 am - IP Logged | |
Just because Powerball is making changes, does not mean that Mega Millions has to copy them and do the same! I think it's unnecessary on Mega's part. Mega Millions anounced their changes first. Powerball only announced changes after the jackpot was hit several times in a row, and well after Mega Millions added California and announced that changes would be made. It would seem that Mega Millions has become the new leader. | | |
Louisiana United States Member #540 August 6, 2002 34 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 30, 2005, 1:02 pm - IP Logged | |
Quote: Originally posted by BabyJC on April 30, 2005
Just because Powerball is making changes, does not mean that Mega Millions has to copy them and do the same! I think it's unnecessary on Mega's part.
When you add the most populated state in the country with over 25 million being 18+, I think it's very necessary. | | |
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June 5, 2002
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| | Posted: April 30, 2005, 1:03 pm - IP Logged | |
loops: Ironically you have to be 21 in your home state. | | |
Chief Bottle Washer New Jersey United States Member #1 May 31, 2000 23718 Posts Online | | Posted: April 30, 2005, 1:14 pm - IP Logged | |
Quote: Originally posted by BabyJC on April 30, 2005
Just because Powerball is making changes, does not mean that Mega Millions has to copy them and do the same! I think it's unnecessary on Mega's part.
When you add the most populated state in the country with over 25 million being 18+, I think it's very necessary. I agree with that, but my point was that the statement that Mega Millions somehow copied Powerball in making the changes was incorrect. Powerball copied Mega Millions, if anything. | | |
Louisiana United States Member #540 August 6, 2002 34 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 30, 2005, 4:11 pm - IP Logged | |
Quote: Originally posted by CASH Only on April 30, 2005
loops: Ironically you have to be 21 in your home state.
Aye, it used to be 18+ when it first came out, but they upped to 21 in '98 (when I was 19...not like it stopped retailers from selling them to me, though  ) And yeah, Todd, I have no doubt MM had the wheels in motion to increase the odds from the moment CA picked them. | | |
Tennessee United States Member #7853 October 15, 2004 11350 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 30, 2005, 5:32 pm - IP Logged | |
when you have two great super games like these one is always gonna copy the other to keep the competition going..... | | |
Tennessee United States Member #7853 October 15, 2004 11350 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 30, 2005, 5:33 pm - IP Logged | |
i thought the age limit was 18.??? | | |
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