PA Lottery: Mega Millions Top Megaplier Prize Now Always $1 Million
Change Effective with Sept. 14 Drawing
MIDDLETOWN, Pa., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Starting with tomorrow night's drawing, Pennsylvania Lottery players who purchase a Mega Millions ticket with the Megaplier option and match five of five white ball numbers will win a set prize of $1 million.
"When we brought Mega Millions to Pennsylvania in January, we told players we would monitor the game's performance and make changes to keep the game exciting," said Lottery Executive Director Ed Trees. "We think this change will appeal to players and create more million dollar winners in Pennsylvania."
Previously, a Mega Millions ticket with the Megaplier option that qualified for a second-tier prize by matching the first five winning numbers, but not the Mega Ball number, won $500,000, $750,000 or $1 million, depending on that drawing's Megaplier number. With the Sept. 14 game change, all match-five Megaplier prizes are $1 million, regardless of the Megaplier number drawn.
Players can add the Megaplier option to Mega Millions purchases for an extra $1 per play. The Megaplier multiplies all prizes other than jackpot and second-tier prizes by the drawing's randomly selected Megaplier number – two, three or four.
Since the game's introduction in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Lottery has sold 16 Mega Millions tickets that matched the first five numbers. Two of those tickets added Megaplier, with one ticket winning $500,000 and the other winning $1 million.
Tickets purchased for previous drawings will not qualify for the set Megaplier prize; tickets purchased in advance for the Sept. 14 drawing and future drawings will qualify.
This change to the Mega Millions game makes the multiplier option similar to that of Powerball, which also offers a set prize of $1 million for each Powerball/Power Play ticket that matches the first five numbers.
How to Play Mega Millions: Mega Millions tickets cost $1 per play. Players pick five numbers from 1 to 56 and one number from 1 to 46 (The Mega Ball). Players can pick their own numbers or have numbers randomly selected by computer. For an extra $1 per play, players can add the Megaplier. Prior to the Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier number – ranging from two to four – is randomly selected. Non-jackpot prizes from winning tickets with the Megaplier option will be multiplied by the Megaplier number.
Mega Millions tickets are sold in 42 participating jurisdictions. Drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays.
About the Pennsylvania Lottery: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery that designates all its proceeds to programs that benefit older residents. Since its inception 38 years ago, the Pennsylvania Lottery has contributed more than $20.1 billion to programs that include property tax and rent rebates; free transit and reduced-fare shared rides; the low-cost prescription drug programs PACE and PACENET; long-term living services; and the 52 Area Agencies on Aging, including more than 600 full- and part-time senior centers throughout the state. The Pennsylvania Lottery reminds its players to play responsibly. Players must be 18 or older.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Lottery, visit www.palottery.com.
Media contact: Kirstin Alvanitakis, 717-702-8008
SOURCE Pennsylvania Lottery
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