The Impact of Mega Millions of Tickets Increase from $2 to $5

27 Apr The Impact of Mega Millions of Tickets Increase from $2 to $5

In April 2025, the Mega Millions announced a major change with the ticket price increasing from $2 to $5. This change was the second major price adjustment in the history of the Mega Millions which includes larger jackpots, improved odds, and better non-jackpot prizes. With the Mega Millions ticket prices going up 150% is it worth it and how has this change affected lottery players? Let’s dive into the impact, backed by real examples.

The Increase in Price
The ticket increase of 150% is not just about price, it comes with some additional features which include:
• Improved Odds: Jackpot odds improved from 1 in 303 million to 1 in 290 million.
• Higher Starting Jackpots: The minimum jackpot increased from $20 million to $50 million.
• Bigger Non-Jackpot Prizes: Non-jackpot prizes now start at $10 as opposed to 4 dollars with the previous Mega Millions without the multiplier .
• Built-in Multipliers: Each ticket now automatically includes a multiplier option (up to 10x), which used to cost an extra $1 to add in the Megaplier, which has been retired.
These improvements to the Mega Millions were designed to make lottery players more interested in playing the game when they were drawing without big winners. Additionally, the enhancements also were designed to create more excitement around non-jackpot prizes.

Are Lottery Players Winning More with New Changes ?
The short answer is yes, lottery players are winning more, however, they are also paying more.
• Non-jackpot prizes are now higher, with a guaranteed minimum of $10 for matching even the fewest numbers.
• Automated multipliers can make a $10 win increase to up to $100 without any additional purchase, which is a cool feature.
• The start of jackpots is 50 million as opposed to 20 million.
• Players can now win $10 up to $10 million which was previously $2 to one million.

A single ticket sold in Ohio matched all six numbers drawn April 18 – the white balls 5, 13, 15, 17 and 28, plus the gold Mega Ball 1 – to take the prize of $112 million ($49.3 million cash). The jackpot had been rolling since it was last won in Illinois on March 25 and is the first big win since the Mega Millions price change. .

What is the Impact on Ticket Sales?
Some states have experienced a decline in ticket sales as some lottery players are not feeling the new ticket price and feature enhancements.
Massachusetts Experiences a Sharp Decline in Tickets Sold
• Ticket sales dropped by 30% after the price rose from $2 to $5 .
• April 4, 2025: 142,170 tickets sold.
• April 8, 2025 (after price hike): 100,297 tickets sold.
• Revenue, however, rose by 71% from $491,323 to $841,185 — because of the higher ticket price.
• Players also saw double the prize payouts compared to before the change.
Source: wror.com
Texas: Facing Legislative Pressure
• While hard sales data post-hike isn’t available yet, the Texas Lottery has faced serious controversy.
• Legislative actions have proposed defunding the Texas Lottery Commission amid dissatisfaction with recent changes, including Mega Millions’ price rise.
• Player trust has been shaken, impacting future participation.
Source: ExpressNews.com
California: Mixed Player Sentiment
• California rolled out the Mega Millions changes with promises of bigger prizes.
• Early player feedback has been mixed, with some excitement over jackpots but many expressing frustration at the $5 cost.
• Official ticket sales figures are pending, but public sentiment suggests a potential participation drop.
Source: SFChronicle.com

Player Reactions
• Positive: Some players are excited about the bigger jackpots and better odds.
• Negative: Many casual players feel priced out. $5 per ticket especially if you play multiple tickets can add up quickly. Some people vowed to “never play again” unless jackpots hit an extremely high number but in this tough economy you just never know.
Overall, player loyalty is strongest among lottery players who play the Mega Millions and less among casual players who purchase tickets occasionally.

Revenue vs. Participation
The pattern emerging is clear:
• Ticket Sales = Down
• Revenue per Draw = Up
• Player Winnings = Up (in total prizes)
While fewer people are the Mega Millions, those who continue to purchase tickets are contributing more revenue overall. However, the long-term risk is alienating the people who play the lottery occasionally, if sales continue to decline.
Mega Millions is now the most expensive major draw game in the U.S. which could either hurt or benefit the game. If Mega Millions continues to be a success, I could see Powerball implementing the same changes soon.

Moving Forward
The $5 Mega Millions ticket has bigger rewards, better odds, but all of this comes at a steeper cost.
• If you’re a serious player and have the money to play and want to get a better return, the changes might be worth it/
• If you’re a casual player who plays the Mega Millions once in a blue, the price hike might deter you from purchasing any more Mega Millions of tickets but only time will tell.