NYers Now Paying More To Win Bigger Mega Millions Jackpots

If you play the Mega Millions in New York, you will shell out more to win big on Tuesday, April 8th.

Since the lottery tweaked its format, jackpots have hit over a billion dollars seven times, including the mind-blowing $1.6 billion in Florida in 2023. What’s even more impressive? Four of the lottery’s top 10 jackpots happened in 2024.

​The cost of Mega Millions tickets in New York State increases from $2 to $5 starting with the drawing on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. This change is part of a nationwide update to the game, which includes enhancements such as a higher starting jackpot of $50 million and improved odds of winning. Additionally, the Megaplier feature is now included in the ticket price, offering multipliers ranging from 2× to 10× for non-jackpot prizes.

Mega Millions has hinted that more changes are coming, but they’re holding off on all the details for now. Joshua Johnston, the lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium, shared that they expect to see even more billion-dollar jackpots. And yes, that means more billionaires, more millionaires, and, as always, more support for the public schools and education in New York State.

You can join the fun in New York every Tuesday and Friday at 11 pm. And just like in 44 other states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, it's game on for a little more.