Mega Millions® Game's Incredible First Month
In its first month since the exciting launch on April 8, 2025, the enhanced Mega Millions® game has made a splash, yielding remarkable outcomes for players eager for substantial rewards. Following a fresh drawing format, 1.89 million players collectively won an impressive $51.3 million in prizes that are not part of the jackpot, marking a stunning 308% increase compared to the $12.5 million in the previous game matrix.
A notable change in this edition is the introduction of multipliers, which have completely transformed the way players can win. Specifically, a staggering $18.8 million was won just by players matching the Mega Ball alone. This amount exceeds the total non-jackpot prizes from the old game, illustrating the significant enhancements that have made participation more thrilling.
The minimum prize for matching the Mega Ball has risen to $10 due to a successful 2X multiplier, with more than 587,000 players benefitting, resulting in $5.87 million in cumulative prizes at this level. The excitement doesn't end there; a large number of participants also claimed higher prizes owing to the various multipliers available. Notably, nearly 60,000 players who landed the 10X multiplier have collectively won more than $3.8 million.
Moreover, the current version of Mega Millions has altered the structure of prizes at every tier, with payouts now increased by 2.6X to 7.5X compared to the former setup. This means that winning overall prizes has become considerably easier, igniting a competitive spirit among players. The new game structure has also resulted in higher stakes, hence pushing the excitement levels to remarkable new highs.
It is particularly noteworthy that just four draws into the new game, one lucky ticket holder in Ohio captured the first jackpot, worth $112 million. The jackpot reset to $50 million and has already pumped up to an impressive $100 million for the next drawing slated for May 9.
According to Joshua Johnston, the Lead Director of the Mega Millions Consortium, the response from players has been overwhelmingly positive. They are not only engaging with the game but are increasingly aware of the value brought by the recent upgrades. Continuous gameplay over the past month reflects how the current changes have resonated with players, injecting a sense of thrill and excitement into the game.
Below is a summary of the prizes awarded within the inaugural month of the new Mega Millions drawings:
| Match | Winners | New Game Prize Total | Old Game Prize Total |
|---|
| ------ | -- | ---- | ------ |
| 5 white balls | 5 | $13,000,000 | $5,000,000 |
| 4 white + Mega Ball | 45 | $1,200,000 | $450,000 |
| 4 white balls | 1,283 | $1,912,000 | $641,500 |
| 3 white + Mega Ball | 3,098 | $1,641,063 | $619,600 |
| 3 white balls | 74,488 | $2,235,790 | $744,880 |
| 2 white + Mega Ball | 63,689 | $1,907,290 | $636,890 |
| 1 white + Mega Ball | 495,528 | $10,420,193 | $1,982,112 |
| Mega Ball | 1,253,983 | $18,819,800 | $2,507,966 |
| TOTAL | 1,892,119 | $51,337,073 | $12,582,948 |
Players can now purchase tickets for the revised Mega Millions game at a cost of $5 per play, the second price adjustment in over 20 years. This price increase aims to match the surge in the value of potential winnings across the board.
As highlighted by the amazing statistics since Mega Millions was established in 2002, the game has provided extraordinary life-changing jackpots to numerous players across different states, highlighting the game's popularity and the growing opportunities to win big. The numerous enhancements make the Mega Millions experience more thrilling than ever, catering to the aspirations of countless hopeful players across the nation, turning dreams into reality with every ticket purchased.