BOISE, Idaho ÔÇô After seven years of success in Idaho, and fifteen years nationwide, the popular lottery draw game Mega Millions will undergo changes designed to bring additional value and excitement to its players. The changes will begin with sales on October 28, 2017 and go into effect for the first draw which occurs on October 31, 2017.

"Mega Millions is one of the top lottery games in the country," said Jeff Anderson, Idaho Lottery Director. "Players prefer games with ever-larger jackpots, so the time was right nationally, and here in Idaho, to introduce these game enhancements."

Mega Millions new enhancements will include:

• Better overall odds of winning any prize.
• Increased starting jackpots: The minimum starting jackpot more than doubles from $15 million to $40 million.
• Bigger prizes: Players who match four numbers and the Mega Ball will have their prize increased from $5,000 to $10,000 and up to $50,000 with the 5x on the Megaplier feature. If a player matches three numbers plus the Mega Ball they win $200. And all lower tier prizes will double.
• Players will select their first five numbers from a set of 70 numbers, and then one Mega Ball from a set of 25 numbers.
• New Price: Beginning October 28, 2017, Mega Millions will be $2 per play; $3 per play with the Megaplier feature.

"Over the past few years, we've listened to our players who ask for more million dollar winning experiences while keeping the opportunity to play for bigger jackpots," said Jeff Anderson, Idaho Lottery Director. "These game changes will provide more winning experiences and bring more value to our players."

In anticipation of these changes, players who purchase ten advance draws will see fewer to purchase as the game approaches the change on October 28. The last draw players will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for up to ten draws in advance for Mega Millions is Tuesday, September 26, 2017. The advance ten draw feature for Mega Millions will be restored when the game changes beginning on October 28, 2017.

These game changes only apply to Mega Millions. Powerball remains unchanged. For additional Mega Millions game information, see the bottom of this page.

HISTORY OF MEGA MILLIONS IN IDAHO AND THE UNITED STATES
Mega Millions began on August 31, 1996, as The Big Game. The first drawing occurred on September 6, 1996, with six states participating: Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan and Virginia. In May 2002, The Big Game was given the new name of "Mega Millions." On January 31, 2010, 23 more state lotteries, including Idaho, were granted permission to license and sell Mega Millions in their jurisdiction. Mega Millions is now played in 46 jurisdictions: 44 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In January 2011, Idaho split a winning Mega Millions jackpot with Washington; with Idaho's winner claiming $190 million ÔÇô second largest in Idaho Lottery history. Today, Mega Millions holds the record for the third and fourth largest jackpots in United States history.

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ABOUT THE IDAHO LOTTERY
The Idaho Lottery responsibly provides a variety of entertaining games featuring Powerball, Mega Millions, Scratch Games^TM, and PullTabs with a high degree of integrity to maximize the dividend for Idaho public schools and the permanent building fund. Since their inception in 1989, the Idaho Lottery has sold over $3.4 billion in products, awarded over $2 billion in prizes to players, returned $200 million in retail commissions, and distributed $792.5 million in Lottery dividends to Idaho public schools and the Permanent Building Fund. To learn more, please visit www.idaholottery.com.

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Additional Mega Millions Info

Mega Millions is going to be more MEGA starting in late October. There are some fresh, new game improvements to the big money game that will continue to deliver more Mega-sized jackpots and other prizes. Sales in the new and improved version of Mega Millions begin on October 28, 2017 and the first draw is set for October 31, 2017.

CHANGES COMING OCTOBER 28, 2017:

1. 1) INCREASED JACKPOTS
   The new jackpot will begin at $40 MILLION and grow each draw by a minimum of $7 million. This means the Mega Millions jackpots will grow LARGER and quicker!!



2. 2) BIGGER PRIZES
   If you match four numbers and the Mega Ball, your prize will increase from $5,000 to $10,000, and up to $50,000 with the 5x on the Megaplier! If you match three numbers plus the Mega Ball, you win $200. And all lower tier prizes will DOUBLE, meaning the lowest prize you could win for matching the Mega Ball is now $2.



3. 3) NEW MATRIX
   
   You will select your first five numbers
   from a set of 70 numbers,
   and then one Mega Ball
   from a set of 25 numbers.



4. 4) NEW PRICE
   Starting October 28, Mega Millions will be $2 for a single play. For an additional $1 per play, you may also add the Megaplier features which multiplies non-winning jackpot prizes up to $5 MILLION.