Maryland Lottery has announced changes to Mega Millions, sharing that “Mega Millions is about to get BIGGER. Starting April 5, Mega Millions will have bigger starting jackpots, a new automatic multiplier, and more.”
The Mega Millions game is introducing the following changes:
- The price will increase from $2 to $5 for each play (each line of numbers on a ticket).
- The starting jackpot amount will increase from $20 million to $50 million.
- Prize amounts at all levels below the jackpot will increase.
- The game will include a built-in multiplier as part of every $5 play.
- The odds of hitting the jackpot and the overall probability of winning a prize will improve.
The new Mega Millions format will begin after the drawing on Friday, April 4, 2025, which will be the last drawing of the old format. Tickets sold after 10:45 p.m. on April 4, 2025, will be $5 per play. The first drawing under the game’s new structure will be Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
After the jackpot is hit, the amount will reset to a base of $50 million. If the jackpot is still rolling after the drawing on April 4, 2025, it will continue to roll until it is hit, and will then reset to $50 million.
Mega Millions will have a new prize structure that includes a built-in multiplier with each $5 play you purchase. The prize amounts at all levels below the jackpot will increase (multipliers do not apply to the jackpot). The minimum prize amount at the lowest tier will increase from $2 to $10. There will be no “breakeven” prizes, meaning that on any winning ticket, the prize will always be more than the $5 cost to play. See the prize structure chart included in the response below for more information.
Additional FAQs can be seen here, courtesy of Maryland Lottery.