What changed over time with Mega Millions odds?

Mega Millions periodically expanded the white-ball pool and adjusted the gold Mega Ball field. This slows jackpot hits so pots roll longer. Non-jackpot payouts follow the current prize structure and, since 2025, every winning ticket includes a built-in multiplier.

History of Mega Millions Odds

From The Big Game (1996) to today — how rule changes stretched the jackpot odds.

by Jeff Gilbert

Odds by Era (Jackpot)

Start date	White balls	Mega Ball	Jackpot odds	Notable changes
Sep 6, 1996	5 / 50	1 / 25	1 in 52,969,000	The Big Game launches (six states)
Jan 13, 1999	5 / 50	1 / 36	1 in 76,275,360	Special-ball pool increases
May 15, 2002	5 / 52	1 / 52	1 in 135,145,920	Renamed Mega Millions; matrix expands
Jun 22, 2005	5 / 56	1 / 46	1 in 175,711,536	Further expansion
Oct 19, 2013	5 / 75	1 / 15	1 in 258,890,850	Matrix overhaul; $1M second prize introduced
Oct 28, 2017	5 / 70	1 / 25	1 in 302,575,350	Ticket price to $2; higher non-jackpot prizes
Apr 8, 2025	5 / 70	1 / 24	1 in 290,472,336	Built-in 2×–10× multipliers; ticket $5

Dates reflect official change/effective or first-draw dates from Mega Millions and state lottery releases; early Big Game entries reflect published historical tables.

Notes & Exceptions

California: prizes are pari-mutuel by law, so fixed amounts elsewhere can vary for California winners; multipliers are handled differently.
Megaplier retired (2025): replaced by a built-in 2×–10× multiplier applied to non-jackpot prizes.
“Just the Jackpot” retired (2025): the jackpot-only option offered in some states has been discontinued.

Sources

Key references used to compile this page:

Official press release: New Mega Millions arrives in April (Apr 2025).
Official press release: Mega Millions to become even more mega (Oct 2013) — matrix change to 5/75 + 1/15.
Official announcement: Enhanced starting jackpots & $2 price point (Oct 2017) — matrix 5/70 + 1/25.
Florida Lottery explainer PDF — odds for the 5/56 + 1/46 era (2005).
Mega Millions (Wikipedia) — consolidated matrix/odds table including early Big Game eras.

This is an educational summary and may omit minor interim tweaks. Always verify current rules on your state lottery site.