The Megaplier is an optional feature in some lottery games run by the Arizona Lottery that allows players to increase their non-jackpot prizes by multiplying them by 2, 3, 4 or 5 times. When purchasing a ticket for games like Powerball and Mega Millions in Arizona, players have the option to add the Megaplier for an extra $1 per play. If the Megaplier number drawn matches the multiplier selected, the player’s non-jackpot winnings are multiplied by that amount. The Megaplier does not apply to the jackpot prize.
How Does the Megaplier Work?
Here is a quick overview of how the Megaplier works in Arizona lottery games:
- It costs an extra $1 per play to add the Megaplier.
- A Megaplier number (2, 3, 4 or 5) is drawn before the main game draw.
- Non-jackpot prizes are multiplied by the Megaplier number if it matches the player’s Megaplier selection.
- The Megaplier applies to all non-jackpot prizes except the Match 5 prize in Powerball.
- The Megaplier does not multiply the jackpot prize.
So for example, if a player wins $100 on a Mega Millions ticket with the 4X Megaplier, their prize is multiplied to $400. The Megaplier provides the opportunity to significantly increase secondary lottery prizes in Arizona.
Megaplier Number Draw
In both the Powerball and Mega Millions games in Arizona, the Megaplier number is drawn shortly before the main winning numbers. A random number generator is used to select a Megaplier number between 2 and 5. The odds of each Megaplier number being selected are:
| Megaplier Number | Odds of Being Drawn |
|---|---|
| 2X | 1 in 1.5 |
| 3X | 1 in 3 |
| 4X | 1 in 5 |
| 5X | 1 in 15 |
As shown above, the most common Megaplier number drawn is the 2X, occurring in roughly two-thirds of all drawings. The 5X multiplier is the rarest, only coming up around 6.7% of the time. But when it does hit, the prizes can get really big!
Megaplier Prizes in Powerball
Here is a breakdown of how the Megaplier works specifically in Powerball for Arizona lottery players:
- All prizes except the jackpot and Match 5 are multiplied by the Megaplier number if selected.
- Match 5 – Set prize of $2 million, does not get multiplied.
- Match 4 plus PB – Multiplied to $40,000 if 4X Megaplier hits.
- Match 4 – Multiplied to $20,000 if 5X Megaplier hits.
- Match 3 plus PB – Multiplied to $12,000 if 5X Megaplier hits.
- Match 3 – Multiplied to $6,000 if 5X Megaplier hits.
- Match 2 plus PB – Multiplied to $400 if 4X Megaplier hits.
- Match 1 plus PB – Multiplied to $200 if 4X Megaplier hits.
- Match 0 plus PB – Multiplied to $100 if 5X Megaplier hits.
As shown above, the Megaplier offers the opportunity for huge secondary prize increases in Powerball. A standard $50,000 Match 4 prize can become $250,000 if the 5X Megaplier is hit! The exception is the Match 5 prize, which remains at a fixed $2 million whether the Megaplier is selected or not.
Megaplier Prizes in Mega Millions
In the Mega Millions game, the Megaplier works very similarly. Here are the ways it can multiply prizes for Mega Millions players in Arizona:
- All prizes except the jackpot are multiplied by the Megaplier number if selected.
- Match 5 – Multiplied to $5 million if 5X Megaplier hits.
- Match 4 plus MB – Multiplied to $20,000 if 4X Megaplier hits.
- Match 4 – Multiplied to $10,000 if 5X Megaplier hits.
- Match 3 plus MB – Multiplied to $6,000 if 3X Megaplier hits.
- Match 3 – Multiplied to $3,000 if 5X Megaplier hits.
- Match 2 plus MB – Multiplied to $400 if 4X Megaplier hits.
- Match 1 plus MB – Multiplied to $200 if 4X Megaplier hits.
- Match 0 plus MB – Multiplied to $100 if 5X Megaplier hits.
Again, all secondary prizes get a boost with the Megaplier in Mega Millions. A standard $1 million Match 5 prize can climb to $5 million if the 5X multiplier comes in. For only $1 extra per ticket, the Megaplier offers value that is hard to pass up.
Megaplier Odds and Strategies
Playing the Megaplier in the Arizona lottery has some interesting odds implications to consider. Here are the key points:
- The jackpot odds remain the same whether the Megaplier is selected or not.
- Overall odds of winning any prize improve substantially with the Megaplier.
- In Powerball, the chance of winning a $2 million prize becomes 1 in 4.61 million with the Megaplier.
- In Mega Millions, the chance of winning a $5 million prize is 1 in 12.6 million with the Megaplier.
- The Megaplier multiplies the value of smaller prizes significantly.
Given the huge potential for secondary prize increases and improved overall odds, most lottery experts recommend always playing the Megaplier. The $1 extra per ticket is a very small price to pay for the opportunity at multiplied non-jackpot prizes. Some strategic players will buy multiple tickets – some with the Megaplier and some without – to cover both scenarios.
Megaplier Profitability for AZ Lottery
Offering the Megaplier option has proven very profitable for lottery operators like the Arizona Lottery. Although paying out bigger prizes, the lure of multiplied winnings entices more players to participate. The AZ Lottery reported the following Megaplier results in FY 2020:
- Powerball sales with Megaplier – $99.2 million (71% of tickets)
- Mega Millions sales with Megaplier – $27.1 million (61% of tickets)
- Total Megaplier revenue – $41.1 million
- Total Megaplier prizes paid – $16.4 million
- Megaplier profit for AZ Lottery – $24.7 million
These figures show that the Megaplier generated substantial extra revenue, while only costing about 40% more in prizes paid out. This allowed for strong additional profit. Lottery officials have deemed the product very successful at maximizing player participation and engagement.
Recent Megaplier Winners in Arizona
Arizona lottery players have won some massive prizes made bigger thanks to the Megaplier. Here are some notable recent winners:
- In October 2022, a Mesa resident won a $2 million Powerball prize after matching 5 numbers. It would have been $1 million if not for the 2X Megaplier.
- In August 2022, a Tucson man won a $50,000 Powerball prize multiplied to $150,000 with the 3X Megaplier.
- In June 2022, a Phoenix woman won a $150,000 Mega Millions prize increased from $50,000 with the 3X Megaplier.
- In January 2022, a Surprise resident won a $1 million Mega Millions prize multiplied to $3 million with the 3X Megaplier.
These winners show the incredible power of the Megaplier to transform smaller secondary prizes into multimillion dollar windfalls. The chance at huge multiplied prizes keeps Arizona lottery players coming back for more.
Buying Megaplier Tickets in Arizona
Playing the Megaplier option is easy when purchasing Arizona lottery tickets. Here is how to add the Megaplier:
- At a lottery retailer – Ask for Megaplier when filling out a Powerball or Mega Millions play slip. The clerk will collect an extra $1 per play.
- Online – Select the Megaplier box when buying tickets online at the Arizona Lottery website.
- Mobile app – Choose the Megaplier option when purchasing through the AZ Lottery app.
- Vending machine – Insert an extra $1 when buying Powerball or Mega Millions tickets to activate the Megaplier.
Players can always choose to add the Megaplier to some plays but not others when buying multiple tickets. Lottery terminals automatically print out separate tickets – one set with the Megaplier and one set without.
Claiming Megaplier Prizes
For prizes under $100,000, Megaplier winnings can be claimed at any Arizona lottery retailer. Jackpots and prizes over $100,000 must be claimed at an Arizona Lottery office to verify winning tickets and tax/debt obligations.
Megaplier winners have 180 days from the draw date to claim their prize. An unclaimed Megaplier prize will go back to the lottery to pay out future prizes and fund state beneficiary programs.
Megaplier Impact on Jackpot Odds
Some lottery players mistakenly believe the Megaplier also increases the jackpot prize. This is not the case – the Megaplier numbers only apply to the secondary prize tiers.
Playing the Megaplier does not improve a player’s odds of winning the grand prize jackpot. Those odds remain the same whether the Megaplier option is selected or not. The only thing impacted is the size of the lower and mid-tier prizes.
Of course, the Megaplier does increase the overall chances of winning any prize amount. But the jackpot odds specifically stay constant at around 1 in 292 million for Powerball and 1 in 302 million for Mega Millions.
Megaplier Misconceptions
Here are some other common misconceptions about the Megaplier in Arizona lottery games:
- Myth: The Megaplier multiplies every prize. Fact: Only secondary prizes are multiplied, besides the jackpot and Match 5 in Powerball.
- Myth: Megaplier always results in bigger prizes. Fact: A multiplier of 2X or 3X is still less than some fixed prize amounts.
- Myth: Megaplier improves jackpot odds. Fact: The Megaplier does not change the odds of winning the grand prize.
- Myth: Megaplier guarantees bigger overall prizes. Fact: The regular prize may sometimes be higher than the multiplied amount.
While the Megaplier drives excitement with the chance at huge multiplied prizes, players should understand it does not magically increase every payout or change the jackpot odds. But for only $1 more, it remains an extremely valuable add-on.
Future Outlook for Megaplier
The Megaplier has proven to be a successful product for lottery operators like the Arizona Lottery. Offering bigger secondary prizes has increased player engagement and ticket sales.
Given its popularity among players, the Megaplier feature is likely here to stay. In the future, lotteries may even look at offering additional multipliers beyond the current 2X to 5X range. A 10X or 20X Megaplier would drive further excitement over prizes, even if the odds of hitting it were extremely long.
Online lottery sales and mobile apps are also expected to make selecting the Megaplier even easier going forward. Overall, the Megaplier has been a win-win innovation for lotteries and players alike.
Megaplier Final Thoughts
In summary, the key points about the Megaplier in Arizona lottery games include:
- Megaplier multiplies secondary prizes by up to 5 times in Powerball and Mega Millions.
- Costs an extra $1 per play to add the Megaplier option.
- Applies a randomly drawn multiplier number to non-jackpot prizes.
- Does not impact the jackpot odds in any way.
- Provides excellent overall value for only $1 more per ticket.
- Has resulted in many huge wins for Arizona lottery players.
- Will likely continue to be popular and successful innovation for lotteries.
For lottery players in Arizona looking to maximize their prize potential, the Megaplier is an easy choice. Offering the chance to turn smaller wins into possible million dollar paydays, this simple $1 add-on brings tremendous extra excitement to every ticket.
Conclusion
The Megaplier has become a hugely popular feature for lottery players in Arizona. By providing the opportunity to multiply secondary prizes by up to 5 times for just an extra $1 per play, it offers tremendous potential value. Winners across the state have taken home millions in Megaplier-boosted prizes. While not impacting the jackpot odds, the Megaplier substantially increases a player’s overall chances of winning any prize amount. For Powerball and Mega Millions players wanting to optimize their opportunities at big lottery paydays, the Megaplier is an option that is tough to pass up.
