New Mega Millions game costs more in Mississippi now, has bigger jackpots: What to know

Mississippi Clarion Ledger

Mega Millions tickets will cost $5 starting April 5.
The starting jackpot will increase to $50 million.
The multiplier, which increases the value of non-jackpot prizes, will be automatically applied to all tickets.
The odds of winning any prize will improve slightly due to one fewer gold Mega Ball.

The first drawing in the new Mega Millions game is soon, and ticket prices have already changed following changes to the rules and prize setup. Here's what you need to know in Mississippi about updates to ticket prices, the multiplier add-on and the chance to win bigger jackpots and larger non-jackpot prizes.

Game managers say the new rules will give players better odds to win big, or get a prize at all.

Tickets will cost more, but organizers say there are tradeoffs that will lead to a higher starting jackpot that can grow much faster. Non-jackpot prizes also will have a larger return on investment after break-even wins are eliminated.

“This is an exciting change for Mega Millions, and we know Mississippi players will love the new features and even bigger prizes,” said Jeff Hewitt, president of the Mississippi Lottery Corporation said in a news release.“We’re always looking for ways to create more winning moments for our players and generating additional lottery proceeds for the state. This game update helps us do both.”

Tickets are sold in Mississippi and 44 other states and Washington, D.C., and the changes will take effect nationwide.

When will Mega Millions change?

Sales for the new game start Saturday, April 5. Tickets will cost $5.

According to Mississippi Lottery, this is the second price increase in the game's history. It launched in 2002, and prices were changed in 2017.

When is the first drawing with the new game setup?

The first drawing using the new Mega Millions format will be at 10 p.m. CT Tuesday, April 8.

Will Mega Millions jackpots get bigger?

According to to a news release from the Mississippi Lottery, the new starting jackpot is $50 million. It previously started at $20 million.

The total is also expected to grow faster. The Mega Millions Consortium estimates an average jackpot will be about $800 million, compared to the current $450 million.

What does the new Multiplier do for Mega Millions players?

According to Mississippi Lottery, the Multiplier is built in to every game now instead of being an add-on. It can boost non-jackpot prizes " by two, three, four, five or even 10 times – up to $10 million for matching the five white balls."

Will smaller prizes improve with the changes?

There will be no more break even prizes, according to Mississippi Lottery. "Every win will be worth at least twice the price of a play."

“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 said in a news release. “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 to 10X. That's the kind of value the new Mega Millions will deliver to our players at every single drawing.”

Why will the odds of winning a Mega Millions jackpot improve?

The game took out one gold Mega Ball, dropping the total to 24.

According to Mega Millions Consortium, that makes the odds of winning any prize 1:23 instead of 1:24. The odds to win the big jackpot is 1:290,472,336, down from 1:302,575,350.

How to play the Mega Millions

In order to buy a ticket, you'll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store. In a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online, but Mississippi isn't one of them.

To play, you will need to pick six numbers. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball is one number between 1 and 24.

If you believe the odds are against you, ask for a "Quick Pick" or an "Easy Pick," the computer will randomly generate the numbers for you.

The new game ticket format starting April 5 will automatically add the Multiplier to all tickets instead of selling it as an add-on. (The Megaplier used to cost an extra dollar and was only sold in some states.) It can increase non-grand prize winnings by two, three, four, five or 10 times.

When is the last drawing of the current game? What happens if I win before the changes?

The last drawing of the current game format was Friday, April 4. (If the jackpot wasn't claimed, it'll roll into the new jackpot.)

Any winners of games drawn on April 4 or before will get prizes based on the rules at the time their ticket was bought.

When are the lottery drawings?

Mega Millions is drawn on Tuesday and Friday nights.

What are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots?

According to the lottery, the following jackpots are the Top 10 jackpots that have been won:

$1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023; a Florida player.
$1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018; a South Carolina player.
$1.348 billion, Jan.13, 2023; a Maine player.
$1.337 billion, July 29, 2022; an Illinois player.
$1.269 billion, Dec. 27, 2024: a California player.
$1.128 billion, March 26, 2024; a New Jersey player.
$1.05 billion, Jan. 22, 2021; a Michigan player.
$810 million, Sept. 10, 2024; a Texas player.
$656 million, March 30, 2012; a player from Illinois, Kansas and Maryland.
$648 million, Dec. 17,2013; a player from California and Georgia.

I won the lottery in Mississippi! What next?

The Mississippi Lottery advises people to sign the back of their winning ticket immediately.

If your prize is less than $600, you can claim that at any place that sells Mississippi Lottery tickets.

If you win $600-$99,999, you can claim by mail or by going to the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters in Flowood.

All prizes more than $100,000 must be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters.

See big winners from across the US

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.