The cost of a Mega Millions ticket will increase more than twofold from $2 to $5 in April 2025, and lottery enthusiasts are not particularly excited to hear about the format changes the Mega Millions Consortium refers to as “enhancements.” 

On Monday, the Mega Millions Consortium validated the rumors initially mentioned in April of this year by our associates at LotteryGeeks.com. Representatives from the interstate lottery game assert that the significant changes will enhance players' chances of hitting the jackpot, result in bigger jackpots, increase jackpot amounts more quickly, and remove breakeven results, ensuring that a player's winnings will always exceed the ticket price.

"We are creating a game that both our existing players and people new to Mega Millions will love and get excited about playing,” said Joshua Johnston, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium and the director of the Washington Lottery. “We expect more billion-dollar jackpots than ever before, meaning creating more billionaires and many more millionaires as the jackpot climb, plus this game will continue the important legacy of supporting great causes everywhere Mega Millions is played.”

A significant alteration is that each $5 ticket includes the Megaplier — which is now an optional $1 add-on — that will automatically increase non-jackpot winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x, to a maximum of $10 million for matching the five white balls. 

Modifications in Format 

The cost of participating in Mega Millions has stayed at $2 since the game increased its price from one dollar in October 2017. That rise in price was accompanied by a significant change in the game’s odds, cutting the number of white balls from 75 to 70 and raising the gold Mega Balls from 15 to 25. 

The 2017 format change caused the jackpot’s odds to increase from one in 258.9 million to one in 302.5 million. The changes to the Mega Millions gameplay in 2025 will preserve the current odds of winning the jackpot, which are more extended than those of Powerball, set at one in 292.2 million. 

Mega Millions is available in 45 states as well as Washington, DC, and the US Virgin Islands. The draw occurs two times a week on Tuesday and Friday evenings at 11 p.m. EST. 

Upset Clients 

Johnston understands that a 150% increase in the Mega Millions price may not be popular, and it appears to be unpopular with most lottery players.

"Johnston reasoned that people “pay five bucks for Starbucks.” On X, a user responded to that comment by saying, “I know I’m getting caffeine with Starbucks; I don’t know if I win anything with Mega Millions.”

A different social media user mentioned that he’s “likely not purchasing a lottery ticket after April.” Additional users voiced worries that numerous lottery winners aren't affluent enough to handle the significant price surge for a chance at a dream.

"Decent salary earners know the lottery is a horrible investment with very little return,” said another.

Officials from Powerball, the main rival of Mega Millions, stated they do not intend to raise the ticket price or modify the game’s format. Powerball may benefit significantly from Mega Millions increasing its ticket price, as many Mega Millions players are likely to reduce their participation unless the jackpot reaches $1 billion or higher.