The Price Of Feeling Lucky: Mega Millions Ticket Cost Rises By 250%

The price of feeling lucky is going up, by more than double. The multi-state lotto Mega Millions has announced a significant price increase for playing the game, escalating by 250 percent. Currently, a ticket costs $2, but effective April 2025, that price will soar to $5 per ticket. This is a historic change, marking the second time in the lottery’s 22-year history that ticket prices have been raised; the first increase occurred in 2017 when the cost jumped from one dollar to two.

For those aspiring millionaires, there is a silver lining. Although the prices are going up, Mega Millions organizers claim that this will lead to higher payouts for winners. Over its history, the lottery has awarded six jackpots exceeding one billion dollars, and with the new price structure, they expect that number to rise significantly. Officials assure that the jackpots will grow faster, reaching hundreds of millions of dollars more quickly, and the overall prize structure will improve, providing players with more opportunities to win substantial amounts beyond just the massive jackpots.

However, the announcement has been met with mixed reactions. Many players took to social media to express their concerns and skepticism regarding the promised payouts. Another notable change is the elimination of the "break-even" prize. This means that every $5 ticket purchased, if a winner, will guarantee a payout greater than $5, which could change the way players approach their lottery strategy. Mega Millions is available in 45 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Utah, and Nevada being the notable exceptions.