Mega Millions® Enhancements Start October 22

September 5, 2013 – Starting with the October 22, 2013, drawing, Mega Millions players will see changes that include larger starting jackpots, faster growing jackpots, a million-dollar second prize and better odds of winning any prize—all for the same $1 players now pay.

“Mega Millions is our newest Lottery game, and the upcoming changes will generate a lot of player interest,” said Jim Haynes, Nebraska Lottery Director. “These enhancements should have one very exciting result: even larger jackpots. And the ticket price will stay at just a $1.”

Players will notice that the minimum jackpot will increase from $12 million to $15 million, and jackpots will grow by at least $5 million after each drawing in which the jackpot is not won.

Mega Millions drawings will still consist of five white balls and one gold Mega Ball®, for a total of six winning numbers. Under a new matrix, the number of white balls will increase to 75 and the number of gold balls (the Mega Ball) will decrease to 15. The result will be overall odds of just 1 in 15 to win any prize.

Here are some of the other enhancements that players will see:

• The prize structure will change. For example, the second prize will increase from $250,000 to $1 million for matching the first five numbers.
• The Megaplier®, a multiplier option which players can purchase for an additional $1 to increase their non-jackpot prizes, will be expanded to include a five factor. That means a Mega Millions with Megaplier ticket can now win up to $5 million by matching all five white ball numbers.

Under the new matrix, the odds of hitting the jackpot will be 1 in 259 million.

To launch the enhanced game, the Nebraska Lottery is offering a ticket discount on select Mega Millions purchases. Starting on October 21, players can purchase a $4 Mega Millions ticket with Megaplier for $3, a $1 savings. The discount promotion will run through November 3.

To prepare for the upcoming changes to the Mega Millions game, the Nebraska Lottery has temporarily reduced the amount of drawings that can be purchased on a ticket. Click here for more information.

The Nebraska Lottery began offering Mega Millions in March 2010. Mega Millions is currently played in 45 jurisdictions: 43 states plus Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Tuesday and Friday evenings at 10:00 p.m. Central Time. Profits from every Mega Millions ticket sold remain in the state in which the ticket was sold. For more information, visit www.megamillions.com.