Several significant changes are in store for the Mega Millions lottery, including a higher ticket price of $5, the elimination of the added Multiplier that could be replaced by an automatic multiplier, and a decrease in the number of gold Mega Balls from 25 to 24, among others.

The popular interstate lottery game, Mega Millions, is reportedly on the brink of significant changes, including a substantial ticket price increase.

A store in Texas recently advertised selling a winning Mega Millions jackpot ticket, a reminder of the game's widespread popularity. However, changes may be coming that could reshape how millions of Americans play the game. The Texas Lottery has revealed that the Mega Millions Consortium, the governing body of the lottery game, is considering these changes, with the most notable being a steep increase in price.

Changes to the structure and how Mega Millions operates

In April, it was reported by our friends at Casino.org that there were early rumors from LotteryGeeks.com about the possibility of a price increase in tickets. Recently released files from the Texas Lottery now suggest that this price increase is just one of several significant changes that are likely to come to the lottery game, which is played in 45 states.

The Texas Lottery recently told the counsel for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Doug Jennings, about the planned changes to the Mega Millions lottery, with an enactment date set for the 8th of April, 2025. This revelation has sparked widespread speculation about the future of the game.

Big changes on the horizon

As the Mega Millions Consortium remains tight-lipped about the gameplay changes, the Texas Lottery's intended adjustments provide insight into what players might expect. According to the documents, the price for a basic Mega Millions ticket is set to increase substantially from $2 to $5 in the spring of the coming year, more than doubling the current cost.

Another significant change involves the termination of the $1 additional Megaplier, a popular feature that allows tickets winning a non-jackpot prize to multiply their payout by two, three, four, or five times. Currently, Mega Millions draws on Tuesday and Friday evenings include a Megaplier draw with the potential to significantly boost winnings. Instead of this optional feature, the proposed rules suggest employing an automatic multiplier, and this will be said to increase prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5, or even 10 times.

In addition, the "Just the Jackpot" selection, which offers players chances to win the jackpot without the possibility of winning lower-tier prizes, is also slated for discontinuation. This option is currently available in 14 US states, including Texas, New York, New Jersey, Indiana, and Georgia.

More significant changes in the pipeline

One of the subtler changes involves reducing the number of gold Mega Balls from 25 balls to 24. While this might seem minor, it will slightly improve the odds of hitting the jackpot from the current one in 302.57 million to a slightly better chance. This change will also improve the whole odds of winning any prize.

According to the Texas Lottery's explanation, these game changes are anticipated to generate increased interest as it offers players potentially higher jackpots, improved overall odds, and the new multiplier feature, which could boost non-jackpot prizes by up to ten times.

As the lottery world digests these proposed changes, the Mega Millions jackpot for Tuesday, the 10th of September, has already climbed to a ballpark estimate of $800 million, along with a one-time cash prize option of $401.8 million.

Criticism from various sides

While the proposed changes are intended to enhance the game's appeal, they have already sparked backlash among some players. Powerball, the primary competitor of Mega Millions, could emerge as the big winner if Mega Millions proceeds with these modifications.

In response to the rumored ticket price increase from $2 to $5 - a 150% surge - many players have voiced their displeasure. In an online discussion, one player named Lou commented, "I play a ticket in every Mega Millions and Powerball drawing. I will no longer play Mega Millions if this is true."

Another player, Eddie, added, "Mega Millions is drunk with delusion thinking they can get away with a $5 basic price to play."

Even those who might still consider playing expressed reservations. Bob, another player, remarked, "I would only pay $5 if the jackpot was over a billion. This could actually save me money."

As the Mega Millions Consortium weighs these significant changes, the future of one of America's most popular lottery games hangs in the balance. Whether these changes will bring about a new era of excitement or alienate loyal players remains to be seen.