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Mega Millions tickets are $5 starting in April

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Mega Millions tickets are starting in April

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The price of the chance to become a multimillionaire will rise.

Starting in April, Mega Millions tickets will cost $5 per play, the lottery announced Monday.

The increase marks the second price change in the game's history, following the move from $1 to $2 in 2017.

The ticket adjustment comes as Mega Millions introduces “major changes” to its game through April, “with plans to be bigger and better than ever before,” the company said in a press release. The changes include “improved odds of winning the jackpot” and “larger starting jackpots.”

“We are creating a game that both our existing players and newcomers to Mega Millions will love and enjoy,” said Joshua Johnston, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, in the press release. “We expect more billion-dollar jackpots than ever before, which means that as jackpots increase, more billionaires and many more millionaires will be created.”

Changes to Mega Millions

Mega Millions announced the following changes to the lottery game starting in April:

  • Higher chances of winning the jackpot
  • Bigger and more frequent jackpots
  • Bigger starting jackpots
  • Faster growing jackpots
  • A built-in multiplier for every game that “automatically increases any non-jackpot win by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 10x – up to $10 million for the combination five white balls.”
  • No more break-even prices, so winners can always win more than the ticket costs

Has anyone won Mega Millions?

There were no lucky winners for Match 5 or Match 5 + Megaplier in Friday night's drawing. Tuesday's drawing rose to an estimated $129 million.

To view the list of past winners, visit the Mega Millions website.

How to play Mega Millions

To purchase a ticket, you'll need to visit your local supermarket, gas station, or convenience store – and in a few states you can purchase tickets online.

To play you must select six numbers. Five numbers are white balls ranging from 1 to 70. The gold mega ball is a number between 1 and 25.

If you think the odds are stacked against you, ask for a “Quick Pick” or an “Easy Pick.” The computer then randomly generates the numbers for you.

Players can add the “Megaplier” for $1, which can increase non-top prize winnings by two, three, four or five times. The Megaplier is drawn on Tuesday and Friday before the Mega Millions numbers.

There are 15 Megapiler balls in total:

  • 2Xfive balls
  • 3Xsix balls
  • 4Xthree balls
  • 5Xa ball

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the USA TODAY Network's official digital lottery courier, in the following U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey , New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, DC and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to select your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket and collect your winnings – all from your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may generate revenue through audience referrals to Jackpocket Services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Please see jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.

Contributor: Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY

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