The Megaplier is an optional feature in some lottery games like Powerball and Mega Millions that allows players to increase non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4 or 5 times for an additional $1 per play. If you match all 5 white balls in Mega Millions for example, the standard $1 million prize would become $2 million, $3 million, $4 million or $5 million if you paid extra for the Megaplier option. So in short, Megaplier winners are players who matched some of the winning numbers and got their non-jackpot prizes multiplied due to purchasing the Megaplier.
How does the Megaplier work?
When buying a ticket for Powerball or Mega Millions, you have the choice to add the Megaplier for an extra $1 per play. Before each draw, a Megaplier number (2, 3, 4 or 5) is randomly selected. If you match some of the numbers and you purchased the Megaplier, your non-jackpot prize gets multiplied by the Megaplier number drawn.
Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
- If the Megaplier number drawn is 2, your prize gets doubled
- If it’s 3, your prize gets tripled
- If it’s 4, your prize gets quadrupled
- If it’s 5, your prize gets quintupled
The Megaplier does not apply to the jackpot prize, it only increases the lower and mid-tier prizes. The Megaplier number drawn only applies to tickets that actually purchased the Megaplier option.
What prizes can be multiplied with the Megaplier?
Here are the different prize tiers in Mega Millions and Powerball that can be multiplied and become larger with the Megaplier:
Mega Millions Prizes
| Prize Tier | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| Match 5 white balls | $1 million |
| Match 4 white balls + Mega Ball | $10,000 |
| Match 4 white balls | $500 |
| Match 3 white balls + Mega Ball | $200 |
| Match 3 white balls | $10 |
| Match 2 white balls + Mega Ball | $10 |
| Match 1 white ball + Mega Ball | $4 |
| Match Mega Ball | $2 |
As you can see, matching 5 white balls wins the $1 million second prize in Mega Millions. With the Megaplier, you can turn that into $2 million, $3 million, $4 million or $5 million! The lower tier prizes can also get multiplied into bigger amounts.
Powerball Prizes
| Prize Tier | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| Match 5 white balls | $1 million |
| Match 4 white balls + Powerball | $50,000 |
| Match 4 white balls | $100 |
| Match 3 white balls + Powerball | $100 |
| Match 3 white balls | $7 |
| Match 2 white balls + Powerball | $7 |
| Match 1 white ball + Powerball | $4 |
| Match Powerball | $4 |
Powerball also has a $1 million prize for matching 5 white balls that can become $2 million or more with the Megaplier. Lower tiers also get boosted.
Notable Megaplier winners
Here are some notable people who became bigger winners thanks to purchasing the Megaplier:
- In July 2015, a winner from California matched the 5 main numbers in Mega Millions and got the standard $1 million prize multiplied to $3 million because the Megaplier drawn was 3x.
- In March 2019, a New Hampshire man matched 4 numbers + Mega Ball in Mega Millions which would normally win $10,000. His prize was quadrupled to $40,000 because he had the Megaplier.
- In May 2013, a Florida woman matched 5 numbers in Powerball to win the $1 million prize. Her prize was doubled to $2 million because she chose the Megaplier.
- In January 2020, an Oregon man matched 4 of the 5 white balls plus the Powerball in Powerball to win $50,000. He also had the Megaplier, so his prize became $150,000.
As you can see, the Megaplier has created many bigger winners over the years. Some people who would have won $1 million got $3 million or more instead thanks to the Megaplier option.
Megaplier odds
The odds of winning a prize are the same whether you choose Megaplier or not. The Megaplier only affects the size of your prize, not your odds of matching numbers.
However, there are odds related to the different Megaplier numbers that can get drawn:
- Megaplier of 2X – 75% chance
- Megaplier of 3X – 15% chance
- Megaplier of 4X – 7.5% chance
- Megaplier of 5X – 2.5% chance
As you can see, the most common Megaplier number drawn is 2X which doubles your prize. 3X and 4X are less common, and 5X rarely happens. But 5X potentially gives you the biggest prize boost.
Should you play Megaplier?
Playing Megaplier costs an extra $1 per ticket. Whether it’s worth it comes down to personal preference and your lottery playing strategy.
Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros
- Chance to multiply your prize and win bigger amounts
- Turn a $1 million prize into potentially $4 million or $5 million
- Great way to get more value from your lottery ticket
- Opportunity to multiply smaller prizes like $500 into something bigger like $2,000
- Makes matching less numbers more rewarding
Cons
- Costs extra money upfront – have to pay $1 per Megaplier ticket
- You can still only win one prize, the Megaplier doesn’t give you extra chances
- The jackpot cannot be multiplied
- You might match the 5 main numbers for $1 million and only get the 2X Megaplier which doubles it to $2 million, rather than $3 million, $4 million or $5 million
In the end, it comes down to whether you want to potentially multiply your secondary prizes by paying $1 extra per ticket. Many regular lottery players find the Megaplier worthwhile because it adds excitement and bigger winning potential. But it doesn’t improve your overall odds of winning.
Getting the most value from Megaplier
Here are some tips to maximize your prizes when playing with the Megaplier:
- Play System tickets that cover more number combinations. This gives you more chances at matching 4, 5 or even 6 numbers to win a big Megaplier prize.
- Buy the Megaplier when the jackpot is smaller. Bigger jackpots bring more players, making it harder to match 5 numbers for the $1 million prize that can become $2 million+ with the Megaplier.
- Use the Megaplier for Quick Pick tickets where you rely more on luck. With manual picks, you have already narrowed down the combinations you think will hit.
- Take advantage of Megaplier promotions where lotteries offer discounted Megaplier tickets or special prizes for buying the Megaplier.
Using strategies like this can help you maximize your Megaplier value and rewards.
Megaplier strategy examples
Here are two playing strategies that take advantage of the Megaplier option:
Strategy 1 – Buy 10 Quick Pick tickets with Megaplier
With this strategy, you would buy 10 Quick Pick tickets for a game like Mega Millions or Powerball and add Megaplier to each ticket. This covers more number combinations randomly, giving you a chance at matching 5, 4 or 3 numbers. Even if you match just 2 numbers, the $10 prize can become $20 or $30. With 10 sets of combinations, your odds are better and you only spent an extra $10 for the Megaplier option across all tickets.
Strategy 2 – Buy a System ticket covering 36 combinations with Megaplier
Lottery system tickets cover guarantees a certain number of combinations for you in an automated way. For example, a 6-number 5/36 system ticket covers 36 different number combinations over 5 panels, guaranteeing you will match at least 3 winning numbers (or 3 + Mega Ball). Playing a bulk system ticket like this and adding the Megaplier gives you dozens of chances to have a 3 number match or more multiplied for bigger prizes. And if you match 4 or 5 numbers, you could win huge multiplied amounts.
Megaplier’s effect on jackpots
While the Megaplier option does not affect or multiply the jackpot prize, it can still have a slight effect on jackpots over time. Here’s why:
- When more players buy the Megaplier, the lottery takes in more money which leads to higher starting jackpots and faster growing jackpots.
- Players satisfied with winning multiplied Megaplier prizes may play more often, again increasing revenue leading to higher jackpots.
- Megaplier creates more mid-tier winners who win large prizes from matches like 4 of 5 numbers or 4 + Mega Ball. This retains their interest in playing which helps jackpots grow.
So while your chance at the jackpot is the same whether you play Megaplier or not, the option can contribute to juicier jackpots over the long run by increasing player interest and lottery sales.
Are Megaplier prizes taxed?
In the United States, federal tax law requires that all lottery prizes above $600 must have federal tax withheld before the prize is paid. The amount withheld for federal taxes is 24% for winnings over $5,000.
State tax laws also apply to lottery winnings. Some states have no tax on lottery winnings, while others like California tax prizes above $600 at rates up to 12.3%.
So yes, lottery prizes including those won with the Megaplier are subject to federal and possibly state tax withholding. A $1 million prize multiplied to $2 million with the Megaplier would have over $480,000 withheld for federal taxes, leaving around $1.5 million after-tax. State taxes could further reduce it.
Example Megaplier prize taxes
Here is an example breakdown of taxes on two Megaplier prizes:
| Prize | Megaplier | Total Prize | Federal Tax (24%) | After federal tax | State Tax (8%) | After-tax prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | 4X | $40,000 | $9,600 | $30,400 | $2,400 | $28,000 |
| $1 million | 3X | $3 million | $720,000 | $2,280,000 | $182,400 | $2,097,600 |
As you can see, the tax impact is significant. But Megaplier prizes still end up larger than non-multiplied prizes after-tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the Megaplier option:
Can you buy Megaplier after buying a ticket?
No, you must select the Megaplier option at the time you originally purchase your ticket. It cannot be added after the fact. Make sure to tell the cashier you want Megaplier before your ticket is printed.
Does Megaplier increase your odds of winning?
No, the Megaplier only increases the size of your prize if you win. It does not improve your overall odds or chances of matching winning numbers.
Can you win both the jackpot and Megaplier prizes?
Yes, if you match all 5 main numbers and the Mega Ball to hit the jackpot, and you purchased Megaplier, you would win both the full jackpot amount and also have any lower tier prizes like matching 5 numbers multiplied as well.
What is the biggest Megaplier prize ever won?
The largest Megaplier prize to date was $5 million, won by a Minnesota couple in 2020 who matched the 5 main numbers in Mega Millions (normally $1 million) and had the 5X Megaplier drawn, multiplying their $1 million to $5 million.
Can you use Megaplier with just certain lines on a multiline ticket?
Unfortunately no – with a multiline or multi-draw ticket, if you select Megaplier it applies to all lines on the ticket. You cannot pick and choose certain lines to apply it to.
Conclusion
The Megaplier add-on feature in lottery games like Powerball and Mega Millions provides players with an exciting way to potentially multiply their secondary prizes for bigger win amounts. While the $1 extra cost per play doesn’t improve your odds overall, it does give you the chance to turn lower tier prizes into something much larger should you match some or all of the winning numbers. With strategic play focused on covering more combinations, the Megaplier can dramatically increase the rewarding feeling of playing. Just be aware that Megaplier prizes still have taxes withheld, but you will always end up with more money than if you didn’t have the prize multiplied. For lottery players seeking bigger prizes, the Megaplier option is an intriguing feature to take advantage of.