Mega Millions to adjust starting jackpot amount, eliminate minimum increases

Apr 3, 2020, 3:33 pm (56 comments)

Mega Millions

The Mega Millions Consortium announced today that in response to flagging sales due to the COVID-19 response, the multi-state lottery game's starting jackpot has been lowered and the amounts of subsequent starting jackpots and jackpot increases will be determined on a drawing-by-drawing basis. 

The advertised Mega Millions jackpot for tonight's drawing is a guaranteed $121 million. If the jackpot is won, it will reset to a guaranteed $20 million for the next drawing on Tuesday. If there is no jackpot winner tonight, the jackpot will roll to an annuitized value of $127 million.

Future starting jackpots and the rate at which the jackpot increases will be established based on game sales and interest rates, with no fixed minimum amount. Jackpot amounts will be determined and announced prior to each drawing.

Previously, the jackpot started at $40 million, and the minimum increase was $5 million for each roll. 

"The changes are in direct response to slowing sales during the current global pandemic," said Bishop Woosley, director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. "The value of the Mega Millions jackpot is based on projected sales, and typical sales patterns have been altered because the current health crisis has required people to stay home," he said. "We are concerned, first and foremost, with everyone's health and well-being. Meanwhile, these adjustments will allow the states and jurisdictions that sell Mega Millions' tickets to continue generating much-needed revenue to support state budgets." 

The Mega Millions Consortium's announcement today followed a similar move by Powerball yesterday and last week.

Mega Millions' tickets are $2 each and are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held each Tuesday and Friday.

All Mega Millions drawings, including official drawing video, detailed breakdown of prizes, and exclusive Jackpot Analysis, are available at USA Mega (www.usamega.com), a website devoted to the United States's two biggest multi-state lottery games, Powerball and Mega Millions.

With many lottery retailers shuttered due to the coronavirus, players trying to locate an alternate retailer can use the free  Lottery Places  app to find all the retailers near them, as well as retailers near any address they enter.

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

SaraAnnRapp's avatarSaraAnnRapp

Just to echo what everyone has been saying in other threads, they need to adjust the ticket price downward to match the lower jackpot. Call me spoiled but I'm not interested in paying $3 a pop (Megaplier added) for a jackpot of $20M. I will simply spend that money on lower tier state lottery games or nothing at all.

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Quote: Originally posted by SaraAnnRapp on Apr 3, 2020

Just to echo what everyone has been saying in other threads, they need to adjust the ticket price downward to match the lower jackpot. Call me spoiled but I'm not interested in paying $3 a pop (Megaplier added) for a jackpot of $20M. I will simply spend that money on lower tier state lottery games or nothing at all.

I Agree! Life After MegaMillions! No Pity!

jplayer33

In the interest of fairness and transparency, shouldn't Mega Millions and Powerball tell us how much sales have dropped over the last few weeks so that we can know that these changes are realistic. They are always ready to crow during big jackpots about weekly, daily and even hourly sales. Now we hear nothing. On another note, they should also drop the price now that they are lowering the jackpots while the odds of winning the same.

Big Joey

In Texas, it seems that people are flocking to the Two Step game. There has been 5 winners out of the last 6 drawings.

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by Big Joey on Apr 3, 2020

In Texas, it seems that people are flocking to the Two Step game. There has been 5 winners out of the last 6 drawings.

I agree, if this unprecedented situation causes people to rediscover their in-state games, that's a great thing.

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by SaraAnnRapp on Apr 3, 2020

Just to echo what everyone has been saying in other threads, they need to adjust the ticket price downward to match the lower jackpot. Call me spoiled but I'm not interested in paying $3 a pop (Megaplier added) for a jackpot of $20M. I will simply spend that money on lower tier state lottery games or nothing at all.

I Agree!   The writing was on the wall after PB decided to say thank you loyal players and they (MM) followed in their footsteps.   

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

Quote: Originally posted by Big Joey on Apr 3, 2020

In Texas, it seems that people are flocking to the Two Step game. There has been 5 winners out of the last 6 drawings.

You can check the draw sales report on Tx Lottery's website. Over the past 6 draws sales have ranged from about 377K to a little over 400K. So, sales haven't been above normal. When jackpots get to 500K and more is when sales really jump.

As for me, I never miss buying a ticket.

noise-gate

Does lotterypost walls have ears? We were just discussing or whispering really on whether MM had made a move on their part to match PB's change of heart,  and what do you know- they going after the stepchild. Couldn't leave well enough alone, Unbelievable..

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by jplayer33 on Apr 3, 2020

In the interest of fairness and transparency, shouldn't Mega Millions and Powerball tell us how much sales have dropped over the last few weeks so that we can know that these changes are realistic. They are always ready to crow during big jackpots about weekly, daily and even hourly sales. Now we hear nothing. On another note, they should also drop the price now that they are lowering the jackpots while the odds of winning the same.

Compared to past similar PB jackpots, sales are about half and MM is about 20% lower. IMO they should advertise the cash value and use the annuity an collecting option. Most players take the cash in both games.

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by Stack47 on Apr 3, 2020

Compared to past similar PB jackpots, sales are about half and MM is about 20% lower. IMO they should advertise the cash value and use the annuity an collecting option. Most players take the cash in both games.

I Agree!As the old Jack Nicholson film goes 'Something's gotta give'; time for changing something that perhaps would benefit the players.

Playing on-line won $8 on MM last night.

Stat$talker's avatarStat$talker

Quote: Originally posted by Bleudog101 on Apr 4, 2020

I Agree!As the old Jack Nicholson film goes 'Something's gotta give'; time for changing something that perhaps would benefit the players.

Playing on-line won $8 on MM last night.

It cost you how much to play tho?

I'm not playing neither game unless they drop the ticket price...or up the reset jackpot as before...

No No If we player don't share in their profits, they shouldn't expect us to want to share in their losses..!!

PB, MM... come up with an incentive, like other businesses...!!!

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by Stat$talker on Apr 4, 2020

It cost you how much to play tho?

I'm not playing neither game unless they drop the ticket price...or up the reset jackpot as before...

No No If we player don't share in their profits, they shouldn't expect us to want to share in their losses..!!

PB, MM... come up with an incentive, like other businesses...!!!

Three dollars.   

 

With money saved from no casinos am buying more stock Monday with drugs proving successful against COVID-19...this one is $2.79/share!

Stat$talker's avatarStat$talker

Quote: Originally posted by Bleudog101 on Apr 4, 2020

Three dollars.   

 

With money saved from no casinos am buying more stock Monday with drugs proving successful against COVID-19...this one is $2.79/share!

Thumbs Up That's smart...

DELotteryPlyr's avatarDELotteryPlyr

Just noticed that MM only increased by $6 mill .... sales are definitively down.

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