Faster-growing jackpots and larger prizes on the way starting April 5
A new version of a game that is an old favorite is coming this spring.
Beginning April 5, Mega Millions will feature bigger prizes, larger and faster-growing jackpots, a new built-in multiplier feature, and the starting jackpot amount will go from $20 million to $50 million.
After the drawing on Friday, April 4, the price of each Mega Millions ticket will move from $2 to $5 and all prize amounts will increase. The minimum prize for a winning ticket will jump from $2 to $10. That means there will be no “breakeven” prizes: If you win any prize on a $5 Mega Millions ticket, it will be at least $10.
Second-tier prizes, which are currently $1 million, will range from $2 million to $10 million in the game’s new format, while third tier-prizes that are currently $10,000 will range from $20,000 to $100,000.
Starting April 5, Mega Millions players will still chose five numbers from a range of 1 to 70, but the range of numbers for the Mega Ball will decrease by one. The new range will be from 1 to 24 instead of the current 1 to 25.
Each $5 Mega Millions play (each line of numbers) will include a multiplier of 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X, which will be automatically generated and printed at the end of the line, to the right of the Mega Ball number. The prize structure chart will show a “Base Prize” amount for each prize tier. If you win, you’ll multiply the base amount using the multiplier that appears on the winning line of your ticket.
Mega Millions drawings are held at 11 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays in Atlanta, with drawing videos available to watch via mdlottery.com. A detailed set of frequently asked questions and answers about the new Mega Millions format, including the prize structure chart, is available on the Mega Millions page of mdlottery.com.
“For many years, Mega Millions and Powerball have been very similar to one another, and the new Mega Millions format diversifies our menu of options,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin. “Maryland Lottery players who enjoy jackpot-style games will have three distinctly different choices.”
Both Mega Millions and Powerball are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and Powerball tickets are also sold in Puerto Rico. Powerball tickets are $2 per play, with drawings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. For an additional $1, players can add the Double Play option, making their ticket good for both the Powerball drawing and the separate Double Play drawing.
The Maryland Lottery also offers Multi-Match, a jackpot game that is available exclusively in Maryland. Multi-Match tickets are $2 per play, with drawings on Mondays and Thursdays. For each $2 play of Multi-Match, players receive three lines of numbers, giving them three chances to hit the jackpot and multiple ways to match the winning numbers for smaller prizes.
The Maryland Lottery also offers numerous other draw games, scratch-off games and FAST PLAY games that are available for $2 or less. See the Games section of mdlotter.com for information.
