Mega Millions is one of the two major multi-state lottery games in the United States, along with Powerball. Mega Millions is played in 45 states, as well as Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The game is coordinated by state lotteries and overseen by the Multi-State Lottery Association.
Mega Millions drawings are held twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 11 p.m. ET. At each drawing, five white balls numbered 1 through 70 are drawn, along with one gold “Mega Ball” numbered 1 through 25. To win the Mega Millions jackpot, players must match all five white balls and the Mega Ball. Lesser prizes are available for matching some but not all of the numbers.
The Mega Millions jackpot starts at $40 million and grows until it is won. The largest Mega Millions jackpot to date was $1.537 billion, won in South Carolina on October 23, 2018. Jackpots of this magnitude generate huge interest and ticket sales, as millions of people across the country hope to win the life-changing prize.
Mega Millions Gameplay Basics
To play Mega Millions, players choose five main numbers between 1 and 70, and one Mega Ball number between 1 and 25. Each play costs $2. Players can choose their own numbers or have the lottery terminal generate random quick picks. Tickets can be purchased until 10:45 p.m. ET on draw nights.
The balls used for Mega Millions drawings are numbered 1 through 70 and 1 through 25. At each drawing, five white balls are drawn from one drum containing the 1-70 balls, and the Mega Ball is drawn from a second drum containing the 1-25 balls.
Mega Millions Prize Payouts
The Mega Millions prize structure is pari-mutuel, meaning the prize amounts depend on ticket sales and number of winners for each drawing. All prizes are set cash amounts, except for the jackpot.
The current Mega Millions prize payouts are:
| Match | Prize |
| 5 white balls + Mega Ball | Starting jackpot (pari-mutuel) |
| 5 white balls | $1 million |
| 4 white balls + Mega Ball | $10,000 |
| 4 white balls | $500 |
| 3 white balls + Mega Ball | $200 |
| 3 white balls | $10 |
| 2 white balls + Mega Ball | $10 |
| 1 white ball + Mega Ball | $4 |
| Mega Ball only | $2 |
The starting jackpot is $40 million. If there is no jackpot winner, the top prize rolls over to the next drawing, increasing the jackpot for the Tuesday and Friday drawings until it is won.
Jackpot winners can choose to receive their prize as an annuity paid out over 29 years, or as a one-time lump sum payment of the cash option value. Most jackpot winners take the cash option.
Does Mega Millions Have a Multiplier Option?
No, Mega Millions does not currently offer a multiplier or multiplier option. The Mega Millions game has straightforward prize tiers based on matching different numbers – it does not have a multiplier feature at this time.
Some other lottery games do offer multipliers, such as Powerball. Powerball drawings have a separate 10X Power Play feature alongside the main game. Players can pay an extra $1 per play to add the Power Play option, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times if the Power Play number drawn matches the play.
But Mega Millions has no comparable multiplier or prize enhancement option. The Mega Millions prizes are set amounts for each tier based on the numbers matched. Players cannot pay extra or take any additional action to multiply or increase the Mega Millions prizes beyond the published prize payout structure.
History of Mega Millions and Format Changes
The Mega Millions game has undergone some format changes over the years, but a multiplier feature has never been part of the game.
Mega Millions was introduced in 1996 as The Big Game, with six participating states – Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Virginia. In 2002 it became Mega Millions as the game expanded across the U.S.
Some significant Mega Millions format changes:
- 2010: Field expanded to 5/70 + 1/46
- 2012: Format changed to 5/75 + 1/15
- 2013: Current 5/70 + 1/25 format introduced
- 2017: Price increased from $1 to $2 per play
Through these changes, the core Mega Millions game has been based on picking five main numbers and a separate Mega Ball. While the field of numbers has shifted, Mega Millions has never included a multiplier element.
Would a Mega Millions Multiplier Option Increase Sales?
Introducing a multiplier option for Mega Millions has been discussed and considered before. A multiplier feature could potentially drive larger sales, get more players to purchase the Megaplier add-on, and create bigger prizes.
But a multiplier also complicates the game and makes it harder to understand for some players. And Mega Millions already regularly awards huge jackpots, so massive prizes are already part of the game’s appeal without a multiplier.
Pros of adding a Mega Millions multiplier option:
- Could drive excitement and ticket sales
- Larger secondary prizes would interest more players
- Simple extra purchase like Powerball Power Play
Cons of adding a Mega Millions multiplier option:
- Makes the game more complex
- Harder for players to understand their odds
- Reduces predictability of prizes
- Game already delivers giant jackpots
Given that Mega Millions regularly offers massive jackpots, there may be limited additional upside to introducing a multiplier. But it’s possible sales and player excitement would increase if non-jackpot prizes could sometimes be multiplied up.
Mega Millions Multi-State Format
One key factor in Mega Millions staying consistent as a national game without format changes or add-ons is its structure as a multi-state lottery.
Mega Millions is played in 45 states plus D.C. and the Virgin Islands, with all members contributing to and participating in the same central game. This wide footprint with centralized administration helps keep Mega Millions straightforward and consistent across different states.
Adding a major new feature like a multiplier option would require coordination and consensus across the multiple jurisdictions that offer Mega Millions. Introducing any significant changes takes time, effort, and buy-in across the lottery directors that oversee Mega Millions in each state.
So while a multiplier isn’t out of the question, it would likely require years of planning and alignment before all Mega Millions members agreed to integrate this into the shared game. The simple, widely-recognized current format has appeal for widespread participation across states without adding complications.
Other Lottery Multiplier Games
While Mega Millions doesn’t offer a multiplier option, some other lottery games use multipliers as a central feature:
- Powerball Power Play – Players can pay extra to multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times
- Megaplier – Texas lottery multiplier game with prizes multiplied by 2X, 3X, 4X, or 5X
- Just the Jackpot – Offers 2X and 3X multipliers on jackpot only in select states
These demonstrate that multipliers can effectively be incorporated into lottery game formats. But each lottery must decide whether the complexity of a multiplier is right for their particular game. For a widespread, jointly-run game like Mega Millions, consensus would be needed to add a major new feature.
Could Mega Millions Add a Multiplier?
While Mega Millions currently has no multiplier element, it’s possible one could be added at some point in the future. However, any format change would require extensive planning, research, and coordination across all 45 Mega Millions jurisdictions.
Some key questions around potentially adding a multiplier:
- Would it increase overall sales and revenue for lottery members?
- Is there strong player demand and interest in bigger secondary prizes?
- How would it impact jackpot rollover rates?
- Can changes be implemented across all participating lotteries?
Lottery directors would have to determine that a multiplier feature would benefit the game and its member lotteries before moving ahead. Backwards compatibility would also be a consideration, as major changes can’t happen instantly with an established national game.
While not guaranteed, a Mega Millions multiplier could happen someday if proposed, approved, and adopted by all members. But the game has maintained its consistent format without this kind of add-on for over 20 years across its multi-state footprint.
The Mega Millions Game Today
In summary, Mega Millions does not currently offer any type of multiplier option in its prize structure. The set cash prizes are based on matching the drawn numbers without any multiplier feature.
Mega Millions has delivered massive jackpots exceeding $1 billion over the years. In October 2018, a single ticket won the record $1.537 billion jackpot. Even without a prize multiplier, Mega Millions frequently shatters lottery jackpot records thanks to rollovers of its minimum $40 million top prize.
While a multiplier feature is seen in some other lottery games, Mega Millions has stuck to a simple, straightforward format across the country. The two-a-week drawings, gold Mega Ball, and huge jackpots are familiar and consistent elements across the 45 participating U.S. lotteries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Mega Millions and multipliers:
Does Mega Millions have a Megaplier?
No. Megaplier is a feature in the Texas lottery, it is not available in the multi-state Mega Millions game.
Can you multiply your Mega Millions prize?
No. There are currently no Mega Millions prize multipliers. All prizes are set amounts based on matching numbers.
How do I get a 10X multiplier in Mega Millions?
You can’t. Mega Millions does not have a prize multiplier option at this time. Only set cash prizes are awarded.
What states offer multipliers for Mega Millions?
None. No U.S. lottery jurisdictions offer a multiplier or prize enhancement feature for Mega Millions drawings. The same set prize tiers apply across all participating states.
Can you add Megaplier to Mega Millions?
No. Megaplier is a trademark of the Texas Lottery and is not available for Mega Millions. Mega Millions does not have any kind of multiplier option in its game rules.
Is Mega Millions adding a multiplier?
Not at this time. There are no definitive plans to add a multiplier element to Mega Millions drawings. The game has maintained its straightforward format with set prize amounts since becoming a multi-state game in 2002.
How do I win bigger prizes in Mega Millions?
To win larger prizes you’ll need to match more numbers, up to hitting the jackpot for matching all five white balls and the Mega Ball. There are no prize enhancements available, so matching more numbers is the only way to win bigger prizes.
Key Takeaways
- Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m. ET, with a minimum jackpot of $40 million.
- The Mega Millions prize structure consists of set cash prizes – there is currently no multiplier or prize enhancement option.
- Launching a new multiplier feature would require coordination across all 45 participating Mega Millions jurisdictions.
- While not impossible, there are no short-term plans to add a multiplier element to Mega Millions.
- To win larger prizes, players simply need to match more of the drawn numbers, up to the jackpot for matching all six.
Conclusion
In summary, Mega Millions does not currently offer a multiplier or Megaplier feature. The game’s straightforward format delivers massive jackpots from a starting value of $40 million, with lesser set cash prizes. While Mega Millions could potentially integrate a multiplier someday, this kind of change would require extensive planning and consensus across the game’s 45 participating lotteries. For now, Mega Millions continues with its well-known structure of matching numbers to win from $2 up to hundreds of millions in itstwice-weekly drawings.