Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas lottery players are about to experience a major upgrade to one of the nation’s most popular games. Following the final drawing under the current version of Mega Millions on Friday, April 4, a new and improved version of the game will launch with its first drawing scheduled for Tuesday, April 8 at 10 p.m. Central Time.
The updated Mega Millions will bring bigger prizes, better odds, and an entirely revamped game structure that promises to deliver higher excitement and more frequent high-dollar wins.
“Our players told us they want bigger prizes and that’s exactly what this new game delivers,” said Sharon Strong, Executive Director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. “Jackpots and non-jackpot prizes are both going up, and overall odds are improving with this national change.”
What’s Changing in the New Mega Millions Game?
With only the second price change since Mega Millions began in 2002, the cost to play will increase from $2 to $5 per ticket, but players can expect significantly higher payouts across all prize tiers.
Some of the most notable changes include:
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Improved overall odds: Your chances of winning any prize will improve to 1 in 23, compared to the current odds of 1 in 24.
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Better jackpot odds: The odds of hitting the jackpot will improve to 1 in 290,472,336, down from 1 in 302,575,350, due to the reduction of gold Mega Balls from 25 to 24.
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Larger starting jackpots: Each new jackpot cycle will now begin at $50 million, up from the current $20 million.
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Faster jackpot growth: Prize totals are expected to rise more quickly and reach higher levels more often, with the average jackpot win projected at more than $800 million, compared to $450 million in the current game.
Additionally, every non-jackpot prize will now automatically be multiplied by a built-in random multiplier ranging from 2X to 10X, eliminating the need for players to purchase the separate $1 Megaplier add-on. Prizes will now range from $10 to $10 million, meaning every winning ticket will pay out at least double the cost of entry, as opposed to the previous minimum prize of $2 matching the $2 ticket price.
What Players Need to Know
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The last drawing under the current Mega Millions structure will take place on April 4, 2025.
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The new version launches with the April 8 drawing, which will carry over the current jackpot (if not won before April 4).
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Players holding winning tickets from drawings before the change will still receive prizes based on the old prize matrix, as long as they claim their winnings within 180 days of the draw date.
This transformation marks the first major update to the Mega Millions game since 2017 and only the second price adjustment since the game began over two decades ago.
National Reach and Billion Dollar Milestones
Mega Millions has made its mark across the country, producing seven billion-dollar jackpots since 2002, each won in a different state. Since the last structural change in 2017, the game has minted over 1,200 new millionaires, averaging three millionaire wins every week.
Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with drawings held Tuesdays and Fridays in Atlanta, Georgia. In Arkansas, proceeds from ticket sales support education through scholarships and other vital programs, making each play a potential win for both the player and the community.
As the clock ticks down to April 8, Arkansas players are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new format and prepare for what could be the most exciting chapter in Mega Millions history.
