TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) — The Kansas Lottery says that starting in April 2025, Mega Millions ticket prices will increase from $2 to $5 per play. Spokesman Cory Thone says the number of prizes, the amount of prizes, and the multiplier system will be improved.
“With the change, jackpots will start at $50 million instead of $20 million and will grow much faster than previously with the new price point,” Thone said. “That means jackpots will grow faster and more often!”
Before the change, you could apply a $1 Megaplier to improve your jackpot odds. Thone said the Megaplier option will now be a standard feature, improving and increasing every non-jackpot win.
Thone said there will be no “break-even” prizes, meaning no free ticket wins or wins equal to the cost of the ticket, “meaning players will always win more than the cost of the ticket if they win.”
“If a player matches just the Mega Ball on the current game, it is a $2 win,” Thone said. “If the player had added the Megaplier for an additional dollar, then the prize could be multiplied by up to 5X depending on what was drawn. On the new game setup, a Mega Ball only match will win the $5 plus whatever the multiplier is automatically! So at minimum, it would be a $10 win, as 2X is the lowest possibly multiplier than can be drawn. But it could also be a 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X, meaning a $5 Mega Ball-only ticket could win up to $50!”
Thone said the decision to increase the price is most likely prompted by current market trends and projections. He said big jackpots are the main motivator for players.
The Kansas Lottery expects to hear more about the changes in the coming months.
