Changes Coming to Mega Millions Lottery

In an attempt to build more large jackpots, Mega Millions is making some changes as of its October 22 drawing.

Mega Millions is playable in 43 states and the plan is to decrease the number of Megaballs, which trigger most prizes, to 15 from 46. Instead the number of white balls will increase to 75 from 56. Each drawing involves five white balls and a single Megaball. The move will result in better odds of winning a prize; however, the odds of winning bigger prizes will fall.
S.C. Education Lottery executive director Paula Harper Bethea said, “Lottery players have been spoiled by a rash of record-breaking jackpots. Mega Millions saw where change was necessary to keep pace and attract players back to its exciting brand, and we feel that will be the case in South Carolina.”

The additional white balls will decrease the chances of hitting the Mega Millions jackpot from 1 in 176 to 1 in 259 million. This means that there are better chances of larger jackpots building up beyond the $100 million mark at which point ticket sales normally soar.