TRENTON, NJ – The seven winners each matched four white balls in the April 8 Mega Millions drawing. Under the previous rules — assuming no added multiplier option — they would have won $500 each. Instead, automatic multipliers on their tickets increased those prizes significantly.
One player had a 2X multiplier, taking home $1,000. Another received a 3X multiplier for $1,500. Two players matched with 4X for $2,000 each, and three players hit 5X multipliers to secure $2,500 apiece.
Mega Millions overhauls odds and prize structure
The drawing marked the first under Mega Millions’ new format, which raised the cost of a ticket to $5 and included built-in multipliers ranging from 2X to 10X. It also improved the overall odds of winning from 1 in 24 to 1 in 23 and increased the starting jackpot to $50 million.
No ticket matched all five white balls — 10, 16, 50, 60, 61 — and the gold Mega Ball of 17, leaving the top prize unclaimed. The jackpot for the next draw on Friday is now estimated at $72 million, with a cash option of $34.3 million.
Game changes expected to deliver larger jackpots more often
Along with improved odds and guaranteed multipliers, the new Mega Millions format removes one gold Mega Ball, reducing the number from 25 to 24. Jackpot odds have improved from 1 in 302.5 million to 1 in 290.4 million. Average jackpot wins are now projected at over $800 million compared to $450 million under the previous structure.
Minimum non-jackpot prizes now start at $10 — double the cost of entry — with potential winnings in the revamped game ranging from $10 to $10 million. Previously, minimum winnings could be equal to the ticket price.