Press Releases

2025 Press Releases

March 27, 2025

 

Improved MEGA MILLIONS® experience features bigger prizes, better odds, and higher starting jackpots

Dover, DE — Big changes are coming to MEGA MILLIONS® beginning April 5th. Following the April 4th drawing, a new version of MEGA® MILLIONS® will feature bigger prizes at every non-jackpot prize tier, better odds to win the jackpot, better odds overall, larger starting jackpots, and faster-growing jackpots. The first drawing under the new prize structure will be held Tuesday, April 8, at 11 p.m. Eastern.

“Beyond bigger jackpots, Delaware Lottery players will see a significant increase in non-jackpot prizes under the new MEGA MILLIONS® experience,” said Helene Keeley, Director of the Delaware Lottery. “That’s because non-jackpot prizes at every level are going up by 2X to 10X. 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 format.”

A full prize matrix is available here. Other game enhancements benefitting players include:

  • Improved overall odds – Overall odds to win any prize will improve to 1:23 from 1:24 due to the removal of one gold Mega Ball from the game.
  • Improved odds to win the jackpot – Odds to win the jackpot will improve to 1:290,472,336 from 1:302,575,350 due to the removal of one gold Mega Ball from the game. The new game will feature 24 Mega Balls instead of the 25 in the current game.
  • Larger starting jackpots – Following a jackpot win, the starting jackpot will reset to $50 million instead of the current $20 million.
  • Faster-growing jackpots and bigger jackpots more frequently – Jackpots are expected to grow faster and get to higher dollar amounts more frequently in the new game. The Mega Millions Consortium estimates that the average jackpot win in the new game will be more than $800 million vs. approximately $450 million in the current game.
  • 2X-10X prize increase with built-in random multiplier – Every non-jackpot win will multiply its base prize by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X automatically. Prizes in the new game will range from $10 to $10 million vs. the $2 to $1 million in the current game.
  • Win more than the cost to play – With a minimum prize of $10 on a winning ticket in the new game, every winning ticket will pay out at least double the $5 cost for each play. In the current game, the minimum prize on a winning ticket and cost to play are the same: $2.

With higher value prizes at every tier of the game, tickets for the new MEGA MILLIONS® game will increase to $5 per play—just the second price adjustment since MEGA MILLIONS® was launched 20 years ago.

Additionally, the “Megaplier” add-on feature for an additional $1 will be retired and replaced with a built-in multiplier.

Unless someone wins the jackpot on the April 4, 2025 drawing, the jackpot from the current game will roll into the new game and continue to grow with ticket sales from the new game. Players who have a winning ticket that was issued for a drawing prior to the game change and who claim their prize by the deadline set by their participating lottery will be paid based on the prize matrix in effect during the time of the drawing for their ticket, regardless of when the prize is claimed.

About MEGA MILLIONS®:
MEGA MILLIONS® is the multi-state lottery game with a minimum estimated annuity jackpot of $20 million per drawing, plus other prizes ranging from $2 to $1 million. MEGA MILLIONS® drawings can be played up to 9:45 p.m. on drawing days.

About the Delaware Lottery:
Since the start of operations in 1975, the Delaware Lottery has contributed $6.0 billion to the state’s General Fund to help finance needed state services that benefit everyone in Delaware. The Lottery offers a variety of games: POWERBALL®, MEGA MILLIONS®, LOTTO AMERICA®, MULTI-WIN LOTTO, LUCKY FOR LIFE®, PLAY 3, PLAY 4,PLAY 5, Keno®, Sports Lottery and Instant Games, iGaming, Video Lottery and Table Games. Delaware Lottery game and promotional details are available at delottery.com, at licensed locations, and from the Lottery’s office in Dover.

About the National Council on Problem Gambling:
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is neutral on legalized gambling. Based in Washington DC, NCPG is the only national nonprofit organization that seeks to minimize the economic and social costs associated with gambling addiction. If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline, which offers hope and help without stigma or shame. Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER or visit Helpline Chat - National Council on Problem Gambling. Help is available 24/7 – it is free and confidential.

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