For lottery enthusiasts dreaming of a significant win, the Mega Millions “Megaplier” offers an exciting twist. While it doesn’t affect the astronomical jackpot, this built-in multiplier can significantly boost non-jackpot prizes, transforming smaller wins into much more substantial amounts.
Historically, the Megaplier was an optional add-on that players could purchase for an extra dollar. However, with recent changes to the Mega Millions game, the Megaplier is now automatically included with every $5 play in participating states. This means players automatically get a chance to multiply their winnings without any extra cost.
How it Works
Before each Mega Millions drawing, a Megaplier number is randomly drawn. This multiplier can be 2, 3, 4, 5, or even 10 times. If your ticket wins a non-jackpot prize, that prize is then multiplied by the Megaplier number drawn for that specific drawing.
For example, if you match five white balls but not the Mega Ball, you’d typically win a $1 million prize. However, if the Megaplier drawn for that night was 5x, your winnings would jump to a remarkable $5 million! Similarly, a $10,000 prize for matching four white balls and the Mega Ball could become $100,000 with a 10x Megaplier.
It’s important to note that the Megaplier does not apply to the grand jackpot prize. The odds of winning the jackpot remain the same, regardless of the Megaplier. Its sole purpose is to enhance the lower-tier payouts, making those near-misses a lot more rewarding.
The introduction of the automatically included Megaplier feature aims to provide a more enticing experience for Mega Millions players, offering bigger non-jackpot prizes and adding an extra layer of excitement to each drawing. So, the next time you play Mega Millions, remember that every non-jackpot win comes with the potential for a significant boost thanks to the Megaplier.