The ticket for the Mega Millions is set to increase tomorrow, the 8th of April, from the previous $2 to $5. But while the cost has risen, it will include the Megaplier, which was previously offered for an additional $1. The cost of the prizes will also be larger, and the odds of winning the jackpot are set to improve as well.

A significant change is coming to one of America's most popular lottery games. Starting Tuesday, April 8, the price of a Mega Millions ticket will rise from $2 to $5. But while players will pay more, they can expect larger prizes, better odds, and new features that promise to make the game more exciting than ever.

The revamped ticket price includes the Megaplier - an optional feature that previously cost $1 additional fee. Now built into every ticket by default, the Megaplier multiplies non-jackpot prizes, turning even smaller wins into more substantial payouts.

According to Mega Millions officials, the inclusion of the Megaplier and other structural changes will reshape the game's dynamics. For example, a prize that would have previously paid out just $2 under the old format could now be worth $10, $15, $25, or even $50, thanks to the automatic multiplier. The change also eliminates the traditional break-even $2 prize, shifting the lowest-tier wins into more rewarding territory.

"This is not just a price increase," said a Mega Millions spokesperson. "This is a complete game enhancement that gives players more value for their money. Bigger prizes, more excitement, and better odds."

Improved odds and bigger jackpots

One of the most anticipated changes is the improved odds of winning any prize. Currently, the overall odds stand at 1 in 24. Under the new rules, those odds improve to 1 in 23, thanks to a slight adjustment to the number matrix - specifically, the removal of one of the 25 Mega Balls.

While the odds of hitting the jackpot remain astronomically high, they will also improve a little - shifting from 1 in 302,575,350 to about 1 in 290,472,336. Additionally, secondary prize odds will remain the same, but their corresponding prize amounts will increase due to the built-in Megaplier.

The jackpot structure is also undergoing a major overhaul. Under the current format, the starting jackpot resets to $20 million after a win. But starting April 8, that figure jumps to $50 million. Officials for the lottery also state faster jackpot rollovers due to increased ticket revenue, potentially pushing top prizes into record-breaking territory more often. "In the new version of the game, the average jackpot win is projected to exceed $800 million," the spokesperson noted, "compared to approximately $450 million in the current game."

A rare price hike

This change marks only the second time in Mega Millions history that the ticket price has increased. When the game launched in 2002, a single ticket cost just $1. That changed in 2017 when the price doubled to $2, a move that also introduced bigger jackpots and improved prize structures. Now, eight years later, the game is evolving once again to meet player demand and market trends.

Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday night across 45 states, as well as in Washington, DC and the US Virgin Islands. The new $5 ticket price will take effect for all tickets purchased for the Tuesday, April 8 drawing and beyond.

As players prepare for this new chapter in Mega Millions history, officials are optimistic that the changes will be well received. This is about giving players more chances to win and making those wins more meaningful, the spokesperson said.