News Release: New Mega Millions® Game Debuts April 5
New Mega Millions® Game Debuts April 5
New game enhancements mean larger million dollar wins in Minnesota
ROSEVILLE, Minn. (April 4, 2025) — Mega Millions® is stepping up its game this week with bigger wins with a built-in multiplier feature and higher starting jackpots. The last drawing under the current matrix and prize structure is Friday, April 4. Beginning Saturday, April 5, Minnesota players will be able to play for:
- Built-in multiplier – Every play on a ticket automatically includes a built-in multiplier (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X) so there will be bigger wins in Minnesota at all non-jackpot prize levels. Prizes in the new game will range from $10 to $10 million vs. the $2 to $1 million in the current game.
- No more break-even prizes – Prizes start at $10 — double the cost of the $5 ticket.
- Higher starting jackpots – Following a jackpot win, the starting jackpot will reset to $50 million instead of the current $20 million.
- Improved overall odds – Overall odds to win any prize will improve to 1 in 23 from 1 in 24 due to the removal of one gold Mega Ball from the game.
- Improved odds to win the jackpot – Odds to win the jackpot will improve to 1 in 290,472,336 from 1 in 302,575,350.
With higher value prizes embedded throughout every tier of the game, tickets for the new Mega Millions game will increase from $2 to $5 per play. A full prize matrix is available here.
“Higher average jackpots with faster rolls will help create more excitement here in Minnesota,” said Adam Prock, Minnesota Lottery Executive Director. “Players can win up to $10 million before they hit the jackpot, which means we’ll have more potential millionaires right here in Minnesota!”
Minnesota began selling Mega Millions in January of 2010. The game has created many new millionaires in Minnesota since then, including 19 $1 million winners and one $2 million winner. Minnesota had its first and only jackpot winner in April of 2022. A lucky couple won a $110 million jackpot and selected the $66.9 million cash option. Their winning ticket was purchased at a Holiday Stationstore in Ramsey.
“Beyond big jackpots, players told us they want bigger non-jackpot prizes and that’s exactly what this new game delivers,” said Joshua Johnston, Lead Director of the Mega Millions Consortium. “Players who had won $2 in the old game will now take home $10, $15, $20, $25 or $50 under this game. Those who had won $500 under the old rules will now take home $1,000; $1,500; $2,000; $2,500 or $5,000 in this new game. Non-jackpot prizes at every level are going up by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X. That’s the kind of value the new Mega Millions will deliver to our players at every single drawing.”
As part of the new game introduction, the “Megaplier” add on feature that was available for an additional $1 will be retired and replaced with the built-in multiplier.
Unless someone wins the jackpot on the April 4, 2025 drawing, the jackpot from the current game will roll into the new game and continue to grow with ticket sales from the new game. Players who have a winning ticket that was issued for a drawing prior to the game change and who claim their prize within the one-year deadline, will be paid based on the prize matrix in effect during the time of the drawing for their ticket, regardless of when the prize is claimed.
About Mega Millions
Mega Millions is a national game with tickets sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are conducted at 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesdays and Fridays in Atlanta, Georgia. Lottery profits support a wide variety of good causes and are allocated differently in each jurisdiction.
About the Minnesota Lottery
Playing Our Part: Since 1990, the lottery has generated more than $4.0 billion for programs that positively impact the lives of Minnesotans. More than $1.8 billion has helped preserve, restore and protect Minnesota’s environment through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Game and Fish Fund and the Natural Resources Fund. Another $2.2 billion has helped fund state programs, including education, public safety and health and human services. Lottery dollars also support programs to help prevent and treat problem gambling. For more information, visit www.mnlottery.com.
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Contact:
Minnesota Lottery, Joan Schimml, (612) 790-2685, joan.schimml@mnlottery.com