Goodbye to two-dollar Mega Millions tickets in the U.S.: New price and changes starting in April

The popular American lottery game Mega Millions will stop selling tickets at 2 dollars. Starting in April, each ticket will cost 5 dollars.

The increase is part of a series of changes aimed at offering larger prizes, better odds, and a more exciting experience for players, according to reports from U.S. media.

This adjustment represents the second price increase in more than two decades and the first since the current gaming matrix was introduced in 2017.

"We expect to see more billion-dollar jackpots than ever before, which means more billionaires and many more millionaires as the prizes continue to grow," said Joshua Johnston, director of the Mega Millions consortium.

Main changes in Mega Millions starting April 2025

The new Mega Millions system will bring key changes that will transform the player experience:

Higher chances of winning the jackpot: The conditions will be adjusted to increase the opportunities to hit the "big prize."

Biggest and most frequent prizes: The jackpots will accumulate more quickly and reach higher amounts more regularly.

Higher initial pots: The jackpot will start with higher amounts.

Automatic multiplier included: Each ticket will automatically include a prize multiplier that can be 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or even 10X, with the possibility of reaching up to 10 million dollars in secondary prizes.

Minimum prizes exceeding the ticket value: The possibility of winning the exact value of the ticket as a prize has been removed. All guaranteed prizes will be greater than the 5 dollars it costs to play.

Possibly the most significant change is the automatic inclusion of the multiplier, which previously cost an additional dollar. Now, all players will benefit from this option at no extra cost, thanks to the new unified price.

How and when is Mega Millions played?

The Mega Millions drawings take place twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 PM (Eastern Time).

The game is available in 45 states in the U.S., as well as in the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It cannot be played in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, or Puerto Rico.

Tickets can be purchased at authorized stores or online, depending on the laws of each jurisdiction.

The deadline to purchase them varies by state, but it is usually between one and two hours before the drawing.

To participate, players must select six numbers: five from 1 to 70 and one additional number called Mega Ball, from 1 to 25.

Whoever guesses all the numbers will win the grand prize, but there are other combinations that award smaller prizes, ranging from 2 dollars to 1 million, not including the effect of the multiplier.

How will the players react?

Although the increase to 5 dollars may seem significant, lottery officials are confident that the changes will be appealing.

A spokesperson for the consortium explained that, according to studies conducted, players are willing to pay more if they know the prizes will be larger and more frequent.

Additionally, the new price aligns Mega Millions with other popular lotteries in the United States, where $5 tickets are common.

With this renewal, Mega Millions aims to revitalize its image and maintain the interest of millions of players.

The opportunity to become a millionaire will be more expensive, but also more tempting, with better chances and larger prizes.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Changes in Mega Millions 2025