Mega Millions Ticket Price, Starting Jackpot To Increase
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Some mega changes are on the way for the Mega Millions lottery.
Starting Saturday, it will cost you twice as much to play. The ticket price will change from $1 to $2.
But with the price increase also comes a bigger jackpot. The starting jackpot will more than double from $15 million to $40 million.
Officials claim the new odds make it easier for players to win the second prize level of $1 million because the jackpot will roll higher and more quickly.
For one smoke shop on 9th Avenue in Manhattan, they're hoping that spells more ticket sales.
"Everyone wants to be a millionaire, fast," the owner told CBS2's Alice Gainer.
They say, like most sellers, they do better when the payout is higher.
The entire game is being redesigned. Currently, players select five numbers between one and 75 and one Mega Ball from one to 15.
Starting Saturday, they'll select five numbers from one to 70 and a Mega Ball from one to 25.
So does a revamped game and allegedly better odds make taking a chance on the Mega Millions more appealing?
"If your chances are better it makes sense," one man said.
Players will also have a new wager type to chose, called "Just the Jackpot," which gives them two entries for a chance to win only the game's jackpot for a $3 wager.
The first drawing under the redesign takes place Halloween night.
