What is Changing?
From the drawing on April 8, Mega Millions will be updated with a few new rules. The number matrix is set to be tweaked, becoming a 5/50 + 1/24 game. This is just a reduction of one Mega Ball from the current range of 25, but it does improve the odds of winning a prize.
Instead of the optional Megaplier that is currently available for an extra $1 per play, a multiplier feature will be automatically built in to the new format of the game. This will include a 10X multiplier, making it possible to win up to $10 million without even matching all the numbers.
An update to some of the prize amounts will ensure there are no more ‘break-even’ payouts, where you just receive as much as you paid for a ticket. The minimum prize in Mega Millions going forward will be $10. The starting jackpot is also set to increase from $20 million.
To pay for all these exciting changes, the price of a ticket will be rising from $2 to $5 (with the multiplier included). This is expected to lead to more big jackpots, as the top prize should grow more quickly.
Advanced Play To Reduce
To gear up for the changes, the number of Advanced Play draws that you can enter in Mississippi will reduce by one each draw night.
Historically, it has been possible to play your numbers in up to 26 consecutive drawings. That has now gone down to 25 after the draw on January 7, and it will continue to decrease every Tuesday and Friday.
When the game change goes ahead, you will be able to purchase tickets for 26 drawings once again.
Mega Millions offers jackpots that have been known to climb higher than $1.6 billion, and new records could be set this year after the update. It could even be that someone from Mississippi lands a billion-dollar payout. Keep an eye on the latest winning numbers after every drawing.