What's the Mega Millions Megaplier?
Chances are, you're probably already very familiar with Mega Millions and its blockbuster jackpots, but you still may very well be wondering what's the Mega Millions Megaplier and how exactly does it work? If so, we can answer those and all your other Megaplier questions with this comprehensive guide on the optional multiplier so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not this ticket add-on is the right choice for you.
What is the Megaplier option?
Similar to the Powerball Power Play multiplier, the Megaplier option is a feature that can be added to a Mega Millions ticket for an extra fee. In return for the added cost, non-jackpot prizes can be multiplied by 2, 3, 4, or 5 times, depending on the Megaplier number randomly selected for the draw.
For instance, were you to match the five main numbers in the draw you would normally win the second-tier prize of $1,000,000, but if you had also opted for the Megaplier along with your ticket then instead of $1 million you would win between $2 and $5 million, based off of which Megaplier number was drawn.
How much more is a Megaplier prize?
While the Megaplier specifically doesn't have any effect on the Mega Millions jackpot, it does impact the size of all other prizes. See the tables below for every possible Mega Millions prize amount:
|
5 + MB*
|
Jackpot
|
Jackpot
|
Jackpot
|
|
5
|
$1 million
|
$2 million
|
$3 million
|
|
4 + MB
|
$10,000
|
$20,000
|
$30,000
|
|
4
|
$500
|
$1,000
|
$1,500
|
|
3 + MB
|
$200
|
$400
|
$600
|
|
3
|
$10
|
$20
|
$30
|
|
2 + MB
|
$10
|
$20
|
$30
|
|
1 + MB
|
$4
|
$8
|
$12
|
|
0 + MB
|
$2
|
$4
|
$6
|
|
5 + MB*
|
Jackpot
|
Jackpot
|
|
5
|
$4 million
|
$5 million
|
|
4 + MB
|
$40,000
|
$50,000
|
|
4
|
$2,000
|
$2,500
|
|
3 + MB
|
$800
|
$1,000
|
|
3
|
$40
|
$50
|
|
2 + MB
|
$40
|
$50
|
|
1 + MB
|
$16
|
$20
|
|
0 + MB
|
$8
|
$10
|
Prize amounts here don't take into account any relevant taxes. Actual winnings may be smaller.
*Mega Ball
How much does Mega Millions cost per ticket with Megaplier?
Clearly, the Mega Millions cost per ticket with Megaplier is higher than it would be without the optional multiplier add-on.
The exact price of the Megaplier is half the cost of purchasing one line, which means that adding the Megaplier is equivalent to purchasing a line and a half.
That being said, the cost of the Megaplier stays the same no matter what ends up happening with the draw. Whether the Megaplier multiplies a prize by two times or five times, the Megaplier cost will remain half the cost of a line.
What are the Megaplier odds?
Importantly, the Megaplier has no impact on the odds of winning a Mega Millions prize. However, the Megaplier itself has its own odds that are worth being aware of.
The Megaplier is selected before the regular Mega Millions draw from a pool of fifteen balls and what many people may not yet know is that not only are there different odds for every possible Megaplier outcome but also that the most likely Megaplier to be chosen is 3. You can see the full information in the odds table below:
|
2 times the prize won (2X)
|
5
|
1 in 3
|
|
3 times the prize won (3X)
|
6
|
1 in 2.5
|
|
4 times the prize won (4X)
|
3
|
1 in 5
|
|
5 times the prize won (5X)
|
1
|
1 in 15
|
|
TOTAL
|
15
|
|
So is the Megaplier worth it?
The Mega Millions Megaplier is just one of many fascinating innovations from Mega Millions's history that's worth learning more about. As is always the case with the lottery, winning or losing all comes down to luck and adding the Megaplier doesn't guarantee a higher chance of winning lottery prizes.
What it does do is guarantee if that you do win a non-jackpot prize, that prize is multiplied 2, 3, 4, or 5 times.
Now that you have a good grasp on what the Megaplier is and isn't, you can make an informed decision about whether to include it in your next lottery ticket purchase at theLotter Texas.