For Immediate Release: August 14, 2013
Contact: Kelly Thompson, 773-5770 or kelly.thompson@state.sd.us

Changes Coming for Mega Millions Game

(Pierre) – Better overall odds and bigger starting jackpots are among changes to the Mega Millions lotto game that were authorized today by the South Dakota Lottery Commission.

The changes, if approved next by the Legislative Rules Review Committee, will take effect beginning with the October 22, 2013 drawing. Under the enhanced game, the starting jackpot will increase from $12 million to $15 million and jackpots will grow by at least $5 million after each drawing in which the jackpot is not won. Norm Lingle, executive director of the South Dakota Lottery, says while the changes are expected to bring faster growing jackpots, other prizes are also going up.

“Players who match the first five numbers but miss the Mega Ball will win $1 million, up from the current second prize of $250,000. The Megaplier option is also being expanded to include a 5 multiplier so people who get the Megaplier on their ticket can win up to $5 million. All for the current price of just one dollar per play with an additional one dollar for the Megaplier,” said Lingle.

Lingle says the game’s matrix will be revised for the first time since 2005. Players will choose five white ball numbers from a pool of 75, up from the current 56, and one Mega Ball number from a pool of 15, down from 46. The result will be overall odds of 1 in 15 to win any prize and 1 in 259 million to win the Mega Millions jackpot.

The South Dakota Lottery began offering Mega Millions in 2010. The game is played in 43 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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