LOTTERY POST EXCLUSIVE
By Kate Northrop
MARTINSVILLE, N.J. — Thursday, Lottery Post had the opportunity to speak with Mega Millions Lead Director Pat McDonald discuss some of the most common questions players are asking about the multi-state game.
In an exclusive interview with Lottery Post, McDonald also revealed that the game group is investigating potential ways to switch up the nationwide draw game.
Part of McDonald's responsibilities as Lead Director includes heading up any changes and management decisions for the game while working cohesively with the nine other states in the game group to ensure that it runs as smoothly as a well-oiled machine.
Collaborating with other states also means reaching jointly agreed-upon conclusions that ultimately shape the game's future, its sales, and its relationship with players.
WATCH: Lead Director of Mega Millions discusses potential game changes
For example, prior to COVID-19 impacting sales in the United States, Mega Millions and Powerball advertised starting jackpots of $40 million with set minimum increases between draws at $5 million and $10 million, respectively. Due to declining sales, Powerball cut the starting jackpot down to $20 million in March 2020 and eliminated set increases the next week. Mega Millions followed suit right after.
Two years later, one question that players have constantly been asking is when the starting jackpots and increases for both Mega Millions and Powerball will return to their original pre-pandemic amounts.
Prior to speaking with McDonald, Lottery Post compared pre-pandemic Mega Millions sales and increases to today's numbers and found that jackpot increases between draws have returned to pre-pandemic levels. McDonald agreed that the data we are seeing absolutely supports an argument for a larger starting jackpot.
"We have been in discussions with each group, as well as our own consortium, to discuss increasing back to the $40 million [starting jackpot], but I've had some resistance from some members in the Mega Group that this is too high of a risk at this point in time because there's too many unknowns," McDonald explained.
If anything, he remarked, sales bounced back rather quickly after the initial sales drop, returning to normalcy and even setting records in some states.
However, immediately raising the starting jackpot and reverting to minimum increases is not as simple as it seems. That decision is actually part of a larger ongoing discussion around restructuring the game and potentially implementing new changes.
"There are some members that are a little adverse to it at this point in time until we look at the total picture of changes, and I think at that point in time, we'd be able to make that decision," McDonald told Lottery Post.
With Powerball implementing a third draw and having announced its intentions to grow internationally, McDonald said the Mega Millions consortium has been working together for the past couple years to figure out ways to differentiate themselves from Powerball, as long as it makes sense.
"One of the changes that we are discussing is price point, potentially moving from a $2 ticket to a $5 level ticket," McDonald revealed. "We will have sales growth with that, and the higher the jackpots are, the more players want to buy a ticket.
"We're looking at price point, restructuring the game, and lastly we have hired an independent consultant to engage the players to find out what they are thinking. What is best for the game itself? Would they like higher jackpots or would they like more million-dollar winners across the country?"
After gathering feedback from lottery players and hearing the recommendation from their independent consultant, McDonald said they assume they'd be ready to make a decision about any game changes by mid-summer.
At the same time, McDonald added, he directed the consultant and told other lottery directors that "no change" is also a valid decision. Despite having worked on these potential game alterations for two years, he ultimately believes that the best route is whichever one helps Mega Millions and its profits succeed the most.
"We don't necessarily need to make a change just to make a change," he emphasized.
One thing about the game's future that the Lead Director is confident about is that he does not see Mega Millions becoming available internationally any time soon, unlike its Powerball counterpart.
"I don't see an appetite from any of our members to go internationally," McDonald contended. "I think that it's controversial with some states and their state laws, guidelines, and governor's philosophical views on playing internationally."
The Mega Millions game group has been monitoring Powerball's movement toward an international expansion, but the lottery director assured that it was not something that was on their table for discussion.
"That could be the distinction between us and Powerball — they're the international game, and we're the United States game," he surmised.
McDonald also spoke about the future of online gaming and sports betting in Ohio, specifically pointing toward the possibility of introducing online lottery sales ("iLottery") to the state.
McDonald covered several other interesting topics, including what's coming down the pipeline, in Lottery Post's full interview that is available on our YouTube channel right now.
Be sure to tell us what you think about our conversation in the comments section — we're excited to hear your thoughts.
I have been suggesting, for years, that players be offered 1. A bigaplier for the 5+0 prize 2. A smallaplier for the 4+1 and lower pirzes and 3. A Bonus Option to play for a higher Jackpot or even a second jackpot.
There must be practical reasons why Mega Millions does not consider this but I have never had anyone tell me why they can't offer the players these kinds of choices to allow the players to go for higher prizes on any or all tiers the player wants to try for.
You want to buy the smallaplier or bigaplier or bonus option or any/all of the options then just mark the spots on the play slip. You don't want any options then just buy the main ticket!!!
The one thing that I did not hear him mention is the players that play for second prize because the odds of that are better than their own state jackpot games.
I'd like to see if they can make a practical way to try for up to $10 million on the 5+0 match for players who would like to buy a bigaplier option.
I have all kinds of ideas including a game that would have two jackpots with different ways to win each jackpot so that you could win one or the other or both and each jackpot would have different odds (maybe 50 million to one for one and 300 million to one for the other).
I'm having a hard time believing that someone there cant come up with a game that is simple for the casual players yet gives the frequent players the options those players want.
Thanks for the new video
Mega should offer a 1 million dollar prize each drawing for the tickets purchased. Also, add 1 more Mega ball like Euro Millions and increase the lower tier prizes. This way more prizes are won each drawing and the jackpots could potentially reach 2 billion +.
With that silly/stupid conclusion why not sell tickets at $10, $20, wait $100? It will raise jp which is what all players want?
Raising ticket prices is not the answer. With gas prices and inflation that's the wrong direction. The right direction is making it easier to win a million dollars. I'm sure that the average player would be happy to win that tax-free.
The main reason I play PB and MM is that a million would be fine for me at my age, and the odds of hitting 5+0 are roughly half of the odds of my state lotto game.
However, the minute tickets cost $5 is the minute I stop buying tickets.
If they go to $5 a ticket, does that mean it will now be $6 or $7 if you want the megaplier? I think that will hurt sales a lot.
They do need to reduce the matrix to make it easier so there can be more winners. Everybody says they want bigger jackpots or, I won't play till it reaches 500 mill. But if someone was winning 100 mill every 3rd or 4th drawing I don't know anyone that would turn it down if they won it.
From a $2 price point to a $5 price point. I guess some don't recall the Monopoly Millionaire Club game, which was $5 per ticket. The game didn't last too long. If Mega Millions wants to charge a mega price of $5 per ticket, it'll be the beginning of the end for this game. Go back to the drawing board and listen to what the players want.
Hell, based in their previously RENEGED werd, why should we Playerz believe that THEY'LL keep their unbondable claimz THIS TIME?..
Notice the HUGE lie, saying playerz want an increase in ticket prices.. ..NOOO, We want you YOU to keep yo daammn PREVIOUSLY PROMISED werd..duuhh.. Stop rigging drawingz, then I for one, will start vouchin for ya.. but NOT UNTIL THEN..!!
Raising the price of ticketz izn't the answer to their short windfallz.. a new attitude of HONESTY will probably help most..
Follow South Carolina's lead and example.. If not?, those MegaGamez will go the way ov DINOsaurs... becoming a HUGE TERRIBLE DEAD RELIC..!!
-Stat$talker
$5 a play ?? Really ? Well bless your greedy lil hearts. You will no longer have to concern many players until that jackpot hits $500-700 Million, including this participant. Here's a thought...Go back to the ole dollar and a dream motto...That will be different from the PB and draw much more loyalty.
I agree. Raising prices to $5 is just greedy and stupid with the odds and starting jackpots.🤬
Exactly!
Exactamundo!!!
MM are GREEDY and FULL of MULARKY. The guy said the sales bounced back rather quickly after the initial drop to returning to normalcy even breaking records in some states so how is it they feel it would be rushing to change the starting jackpots back to $40 million with minimum increases ? HOGWASH!!!🐽🐷🐖
I agree 110% about making the lower prizes easier to win and especially increasing the 2nd place number of winners. Raising the amount per ticket or adding extra money to pay for some sort of remote additional chance would not work. Someone winning a million or 2 once a week would draw in sales.
I might just quit playing
They are choosing the lesser of two evils.
Neither of those threats ( to increase, or to keep the lower grand prize pot ) are in favor of the player.
Each of those ' notions' favor the mega million states and agency.
They really need to do the ' right thing'.
Bring the jackpot back to the 40million start.
And revise the payout structure to higher pay prize.
Example4 numbers plus mega. 100k. Instead of 10k.
Have a weekly 2nd chance draw during the weeks no one wins the jackpot. All eligible non winning tickets get imput. Then two winners are drawn. For up to 500k. A wheel would determine the actually payout prizes ranging from 25k up to 500k.
Just the Jackpot - 2 plays for a dollar!
Match 5 or nothing - Win a million - 2 plays for a dollar!
Sales would skyrocket.
"And revise the payout structure to higher pay prize.
Example4 numbers plus mega. 100k. Instead of 10k."
They've already revised it,.. more in THEIR favor..4 white ballz plus the Gold Megaball USE to pay $50,000..naah it payz $10,000..and on top of such an insult, they raised the ticket price..and RENEGED on their promise of a $40 Million startin Jackpot.
The epitome of GREED & ARROGANCE & CORRUPTION..!!
They're about to find out just how dumb THEY are, thinking that we Playerz will accept AnYtHaNg we're offered..!! Time to give'em da BOOT..!
-Stat$talker
They won't consider going back to a $40m starting jackpot....but they have considered upping the cost to $5 for a ticket...
The compulsive gamblers who are the lottery's bread and butter will play MM and PB at any price, but shouldn't the lottery be trying to draw in new players, or entice casual players to play a little more often? These old folks who can't bear to miss a drawing will die off eventually and I don't see the younger generation currently too excited about a $2 bad bet, let alone a $5 bad bet.
Wow either play 5 bucks for american MM game or play 2 bucks and have foreigner win USA games money (PB) No game change is ever good for the player.
Well that is close but you just described what would be wrong with a million dollar prize...Inflation!!! I sure would like to see way more 5+0 prizes but with inflation they should be 2 million dollars now. If I won a million dollars, before taxes, I could not even buy a brand new house here and furnish it!
Well if they keep the game the way it is now then $5 would keep me from playing it but I have not seen the proposed $5 game and prize structure. It may be something completely worthwhile...you just never know until you see what they are planning.
I would welcome a really good $5 game as it could be a great game that would allow me to concentrate on it alone while not ever playing the crappier games. I won't pee on the $5 parade until I can see what the actual proposal is.
I for one am tired of so many games to the point that if I had one great game to play I would plunk down $5 twice a week...but it would have to be something really good.
I know what MUSL can do. Hire Eddie Tipton as a consultant. Have him change MM to CNG. That would save televised drawings and get rid of those awful mechanical ball drawings. Insert sarcasm.
OTOH for something that HAS affected me in the past. Congress may entertain raising the taxable amount of slot winnings from $1200 to $5000. More Congress folks have come on board saying this will keep up with inflation. What ever that is supposed to mean. (A few years ago the IRS wanted to change it down to $600---good lobbyists prevented that I would assume.)
Anyone know of lottery lobbyists? I could find any. Getting Federal tax om $800 and above is ludicrous. Had looked up one of the lottery associations and nothing there.
Nope it never is. Whenever these lotteries make changes to the game it's usually for the worse from the player standpoint. Higher ticket prices, smaller payouts, increased odds or smaller rollovers and so on.
I played lotteries in this country for 40 plus years and simply don't really trust them. For McDonald to say the lottery lost sales or money is not true. They dropped the min amounts for their profits. Let's face it, this State system which almost of the states are members is a form of Voluntary tax paid for by all the Regular people just getting by. The state always has a cash flow of revenue that is always suspect as to where the money goes. Then to add to the issue if some person wins a large sum of money they have to pay State AND Federal taxes. The government has a win win going for it. Everyone wants to use COVID to justify giving us less and charging us more. The is worst than organized crime could ever be.
Dennis, Colorado
Not unusual to see $400 or more worth of discarded scratch-offs on the counter with the ticket scanner that where $10, $20, and some $30 denominations. Many state lotteries are using the "if you sell it, they will buy it" logic and some might have recommended raising MM ticket prices. MM has the "buy two tickets for $3" jackpot only option and the Megaplier so many players are buying $3 tickets.
With five drawings a week and $2 a ticket, players are at a minimum spending $10 a week for a chance to beat 300 million to 1 odds. Guess the "dollar for a dream" days are over.
Less numbers in Powerball and Mega Millions.
I will play my state lotto if mega and power raise prices again and only play when it is near a billion for the minimum amount to get the ticket. I like to play mega and power and oregon megabucks year round but if the odds go any higher or cost goes up they can count me out and just stick to my state lotto.-weshar75
Why not up the lower prizes a little.
After the price of tickets rose to $2 around eleven years ago and the odds were even more difficult, I actually went through years without playing Powerball and Mega Millions. I now only play once in a while but I buy large number of tickets a few times a year. I would no longer play Mega Millions if they charge $5 a ticket.
$5 a play?? LMFAO!! How to kill the game in one move.
$5 tickets are a great way to produce billion dollar jackpots, because if the prize ratios remain the same that will be equivalent to a $400 million jackpot with a $2 ticket. The big mystery is how long it will take to sell enough tickets, because only the addicts and the exceptionally stupid are going to spend $5 for a 1 in 300 million chance of winning a jackpot of $20 or $50 million.
Of course the only thing the lottery actually cares about is how much revenue they can generate. If they can make even $100 more every year by charging $5 nobody should be surprised when the price increase comes along.
I think less people will buy several tickets if any, if they increase the price to $5.00. I remember thinking...they're not going to stop, once they get started after they increased the price to $2.00 and added the megaplier. Looks like I'm right.