Mega Millions Changes Rules For Better Odds
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Mega Millions lottery game is about to change its rules, so it can offer bigger jackpots and better overall odds.
The changes take effect Oct. 22, and while your chances of winning any prize will increase, your chances of winning the jackpot will actually decrease.
It'll still cost $1 to buy a ticket.
According to the Pennsylvania Lottery, the overall odds of winning any prize in the multi-state lottery will improve from 1-in-40 to 1-in-14.71.
The odds of winning the game's jackpot will go from 1-in-175,711,536 to 1-in-258,890,850.
But Carnegie Mellon University Mathematics Professor John Mackey says in the big scheme of things, it doesn't really equate to that big of difference. He says your chances of winning the jackpot still translate roughly to flipping a coin and getting heads 28 times in a row.
The new starting jackpot will now be $15 million instead of $12 million. The jackpot will also increase by at least $5 million every time there's no winner.
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