Pelican State News

Sales for a new Mega Millions multistate game will commence on April 5, featuring a larger starting jackpot, lower overall odds of winning, and a built-in prize-multiplier feature. The ticket price will increase from $2/$3 to $5 per play. This marks the second price change in the game's 20-year history.

"The new Mega Millions changes create a 'fast-track' multistate jackpot that will further diversify the Louisiana Lottery's product portfolio," stated Lottery President Rose Hudson. She added that these changes offer players more options in playing multistate, multimillion-dollar jackpot games throughout the week.

The starting jackpot will more than double to $50 million, with an average jackpot size expected to reach $803 million. The odds of winning the jackpot improve slightly from 1 in 302.5 million to 1 in 290.5 million.

Every play will include an automatic multiplier on the ticket, increasing nonjackpot prizes significantly. A new 10x prize multiplier joins existing multipliers (2x, 3x, 4x, and 5x), allowing up to a $10 million prize for matching all five white-ball numbers.

The revamped Mega Millions game eliminates break-even prizes; winners will receive at least double their play cost regardless of the multiplier. For instance, matching just the yellow Mega Ball number could yield prizes ranging from $10 to $50 when the game launches.

Overall odds of winning any prize improve slightly from 1 in 24 to 1 in 23 due to removing one yellow Mega Ball number from the matrix. Players will now select five out of seventy white-ball numbers and one out of twenty-four yellow Mega Ball numbers. Consequently, old playslips are no longer valid, requiring players to use new ones.

To accommodate this matrix change, the Lottery temporarily suspended the multidraw option for Mega Millions after January 28 but plans to reinstate it on April 5. This option allows players to purchase tickets for up to twenty future drawings. The first drawing under this new system is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8.

Additional information is available on louisianalottery.com/mega-millions. The Lottery advises responsible play and offers support through a toll-free helpline at 1-877-770-7867 for those experiencing gambling issues or their loved ones. Ticket purchasers must be at least twenty-one years old.