Mega Millions Lottery Tweaked To Increase Chance For Second-Prize Win
By Mark Abrams
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Recent changes to the "Mega Millions" lottery game are generating some buzz among players.
Starting with its drawings this week, the Mega Millions game is pushing up the value of jackpots on rollovers, raising the second prize to $1 million for those who pick all the white balls correctly (but not the gold ball), and reducing the number of gold balls to fifteen.
Officials say its an effort to make the game richer for players.
And, they add, the multi-state game will keep the price of a ticket at $1.
Pearl, from Northeast Philadelphia, says the changes are great.
"I would love to win five numbers -- I'll take five numbers!" she said.
Robert, from Germantown, also likes the changes.
"Anything that they can do to increase the odds for the average Joe to win, it should be good, and, hopefully, it will turn out well," he said.
Dorothy, from West Philadelphia, was busy getting her numbers at a center city newstand. Does she think it will generate more play?
"It may, it may. Each person thinks differently," she observed.
But there is one number out there that players may not want to hear: your odds of hitting the big jackpot will still be one in 259 million.
