Mega Millions makes changes resulting in larger jackpots

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Enhancements to the multistate game Mega Millions, will create larger jackpots and result in more millionaires. The first tickets for the enhanced game went on sale Saturday and the first drawing is on Halloween, October 31.

Starting jackpots will more than double from $15 million to $40 million and there will be larger increases when the jackpot rolls with anticipated average jackpots to be $371.4 million. While the odds of winning the jackpot will increase from 1 in 258.9 million to 1 in 302.5 million, the odds of winning the $1 million match-5 prize will get better, going from 1 in 18.5 million to 1 in 12.6 million.

The ticket price will also go from $1 to $2, the first price adjustment ever.

In the redesigned game, five white ball numbers will be removed for a total of 70 and 10 numbers will be added to the Mega Ball numbers for a total of 25. Players select five numbers from 1 to 70, and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25.

Players will have a 1 in 24 overall chance of winning a prize.

The Mega Millions $1 Megaplier add-on option will still allow players to multiply any non-jackpot prize up to 5 times, including the $1 million match-5 prize, depending upon the Megaplier number selected during the drawing.

Wisconsin will also offer players just interested in large Mega Millions jackpots another way to play. With "Just the Jackpot" players receive two plays for $3. Just the Jackpot plays are quick pick only (no playslips.) A Just the Jackpot play can only win by matching all five numbers plus the Mega Ball number. Players playing "Just the Jackpot" are not eligible to win any other prizes in the Mega Millions drawing except the jackpot.

Mega Millions is played in 45 states, including Wisconsin. Drawings are held Tuesday and Friday nights at 10 p.m.