PHOENIX, AZ--(Marketwired - Oct 16, 2013) - Starting with the Oct. 22 drawing, Mega Millions players will see changes that include larger starting jackpots, faster-growing jackpots, a $1 million second prize and better odds of winning any prize -- all for the same price of $1 per ticket.
The Mega Millions starting jackpot will increase from $12 million to $15 million, and jackpots will grow by at least $5 million after each drawing in which the jackpot is not won. In addition, the second prize will increase from $250,000 to $1 million.
"Bigger jackpots are something that excite our players," said Karen Bach, director of budget, products and communications for the Arizona Lottery. "We're expecting the changes to Mega Millions to generate more interest amongst our players, and we look forward to having more Arizona millionaires in the coming months."
Mega Millions drawings will still consist of five white balls and one gold Mega Ball for a total of six winning numbers. Under a new matrix, the number of white balls will increase to 75 and the number of gold balls (the Mega Ball) will decrease to 15. The result will be better overall odds of winning any prize, which will now be 1 in 15, rather than 1 in 40. Under the new matrix, the odds of hitting the jackpot will be 1 in 259 million.
| Mega Millions Prize Structure | ||||||
| Match | Base Prize | Odds: 1 in | ||||
| 5 + Mega Ball | JACKPOT | 258,890,850 | ||||
| 5 (no Mega Ball) | $1 million | 18,492,204 | ||||
| 4 + Mega Ball | $5,000 | 739,688 | ||||
| 4 (no Mega Ball) | $500 | 52,835 | ||||
| 3 + Mega Ball | $50 | 10,720 | ||||
| 3 (no Mega Ball) | $5 | 766 | ||||
| 2 + Mega Ball | $5 | 473 | ||||
| 1 + Mega Ball | $2 | 56 | ||||
| 0 + Mega Ball | $1 | 21 | ||||
| Overall chances of winning a prize: 1 in 14.71 | ||||||
The last time the Mega Millions matrix changed was June 2005.
The Megaplier®, a multiplier option that players can purchase for an additional $1 to increase their non-jackpot prizes, will be expanded to include a "five" factor. This means a Mega Millions ticket can now win up to $5 million without matching all six numbers.
Mega Millions is currently played in 45 jurisdictions: 43 states, Washington, D.C. and the Virgin Islands. Drawings are Tuesday and Friday evenings at 8 p.m. Arizona time. Profits from every Mega Millions ticket sold in Arizona remain in the state.
The next Mega Millions draw is Friday, October 18 for $37 million.
Players must be 21 years or older to purchase or redeem tickets. Winners have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prize at an Arizona Lottery office or by mail. Overall odds vary by game. All sales are final. In accordance with the ADA, these materials may be made available in an alternative format. Gambling Problem? Call 1.800.NEXT STEP (1-800-639-8783). Please Play Responsibly™.
About the Arizona Lottery
The Arizona Lottery operates entirely from the revenue it generates through the sale of its products; it receives no General Fund dollars from the State. Proceeds from sales of Lottery tickets -- nearly $3.4 million per week -- fund a variety of state programs. Since July 1981, the Arizona Lottery has paid out more than $5.4 billion in prizes to players, more than $3 billion in net funding to the state and more than $638 million in commissions to retailers. Learn more at ArizonaLottery.com.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Jennifer Adler
E.B. Lane
(602) 417-1594