California Lottery players will soon experience an upgraded version of Mega Millions, promising larger jackpots, improved odds, and enhanced non-jackpot prizes.
The changes include automatic multipliers for all non-jackpot prizes, a $50 million starting jackpot and improved overall odds of winning.
The revamped version of the draw game will debut on April 8 at 8 p.m.
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The final drawing under the current Mega Millions structure will take place on Friday, April 4.
Key Changes coming to Mega Millions
- Improved odds – The odds of winning any prize will improve from 1 in 24 to 1 in 23 due to the removal of one gold Mega Ball.
- Larger starting jackpots – The jackpot will now reset to $50 million after a win, up from the previous variable amount, which was typically $20 million.
- Faster-growing jackpots – The new structure is expected to produce larger jackpots more frequently, with the average estimated jackpot rising to over $800 million compared to the current average of approximately $450 million.
- Built-in multipliers – Non-jackpot prizes will automatically be multiplied by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X, increasing winnings significantly.
- Higher minimum payouts – The smallest prize on a winning ticket will be $10, double the new $5 ticket price. Under the current structure, a winning ticket could return as little as the $2 cost of play.
This is the second time lottery officials have adjusted the price for the draw game since its introduction over 20 years ago and the first change since the 2017 game update.
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If no one wins the jackpot in the April 4 drawing, the prize will roll over into the new game format, continuing to grow with ticket sales.
Winners who purchased tickets for pre-April 8 drawings will still be paid according to the prize structure in place at the time of their purchase.
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