Revamped Mega Millions Game Starts With October 22 Drawing

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Starting with the October 22, 2013 drawing, Mega Millions players will see game changes that will result in larger starting jackpots, faster growing jackpots, a million-dollar second prize and better odds of winning any prize—all for the same $1 ticket price. The multi-draw purchase option will resume as normal on October 19 with a new play slip in all West Virginia Lottery retail locations.

The Mega Millions minimum jackpot will increase to $15 million from $12 million. Jackpots will grow by at least $5 million after each drawing in which the jackpot is not won. Players matching five white balls without the Gold Mega Ball will win a $1 million Second Prize, up from $250,000.  The Megaplier, a multiplier option that players can purchase for an additional $1 to increase their non-jackpot prizes, will be expanded to include a five factor. Players correctly matching five white balls could win up to $5 million.

Mega Millions drawings will still consist of five white balls and one gold Mega Ball for six winning numbers. Under the 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.  Players matching only the five white balls will automatically win $1 million. If the player adds the $1 Megaplier feature, matching just five white balls could increase the winnings to $2 million, $3 million, $4 million or even $5 million.

Under the revamped game, the odds of hitting the jackpot will become better than 1 in 259 million.
        

Mega Millions Prize Structure
Match
Base Prize
Odds: 1 in
5 + Mega Ball
JACKPOT
258,890,850
5 (no Mega Ball)
$1 million
18,492,204
4 + Mega Ball
$5,000
739,688
4 (no Mega Ball)
$500
52,835
3 + Mega Ball
$50
10,720
3 (no Mega Ball)
$5
766
2 + Mega Ball
$5
473
1 + Mega Ball
$2
56
0 + Mega Ball
$1
21
overall chances of winning a prize: 1 in 14.7

Mega Millions is played in 45 jurisdictions: 43 states plus Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Tuesday and Friday evenings at 11:00 Eastern Time, 10:00 Central Time, 9:00 Mountain Time and 8:00 Pacific Time. Profits from every Mega Millions ticket sold remain in the state in which the ticket was sold. For more information, visit wvlottery.com or www.megamillions.com.