Mega Millions enhanced: Starting jackpots increase to $40M, bigger average jackpots, more millionaires
$2 game also benefits players with higher secondary prizes and a new wager type; change begins Oct. 28, 2017
TRENTON (Oct. 18, 2017) – Mega Millions is being redesigned to bring more value to its players with larger starting jackpots and faster rolls. Starting jackpots will more than double from $15 million to $40 million, and jackpots will grow faster overall. There will be better odds to win $1 million prizes and higher secondary prizes. The ticket price will change to $2 from $1.
In the redesigned game, players select five numbers from 1 to 70, and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. Players will have a 1 in 24 overall chance of winning a prize. Currently, players choose five numbers from a field of 1 to 75 and one Mega Ball from a field of 1 to 15.
Additionally, players will have a new wager type to choose from, Just the Jackpot. Just the Jackpot will provide players with two entries for a chance to win only the game’s jackpot for a $3 wager. Just the Jackpot tickets will not be eligible for any other prize levels and are Quick Pick only.
The enriched Mega Millions game will debut Oct. 28.
New Jersey Lottery Director Carole Hedinger said, “Playing the Lottery has always been about the winning experience. These Mega Millions game changes increase the opportunity for more players to win prizes overall and more $1 million dollar prizes.”
Mega Millions President Debbie D. Alford said that lotteries are responding to consumers with the latest changes. “We have a demand for innovation to keep fresh, entertaining lottery games and to deliver the attention-grabbing jackpots,” said Alford, who also is president and CEO of the Georgia Lottery Corp.
New Jersey Lottery joined the Mega Millions game in May 2002. Since that time, New Jersey Lottery players have won or shared in 19 Mega Millions jackpots.
Mega Millions currently is played in 46 jurisdictions: 44 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time. For more information about the Mega Millions game change visit www.NJLottery.com
