If I were Filthy Rich
By bucobill+110 Mega Millions Changes Are Awful
The Mega Millions went to $5 per ticket, per draw. The press release stated that this was done so that the prize amount would grow faster. I was fine with that. However, based on the limited information we have available, it appears this is not true. The drawing started at $50 million for the Tuesday night, prior to Covid the prize amount started at $40 million, and Friday’s drawing is only set for $60 million. To play devils advocate, when it was last $40 million on February 14, 2020 it did take 4 drawings before the prize reached $60 million, but the tickets were only $2, not 5. I expected a prize amount of $75 million for drawing 2 and it to grow exponentially. Maybe the best measurement is how long it takes to reach $400 million. At $40 million it took 34 drawings for the prize to reach $414 million.
Recent responses
+118 @Mousse-Full The increase from $2 to $5 prompted me to stop playing. While the occasional $2 wager was enjoyable, $5 required a greater mental investment. Knowing I wouldn't win, the $2 felt inconsequential enough to indulge the fleeting thought of a potential multimillion-dollar win. However, $5 felt closer to the cost of breakfast or lunch.
+86 @gilgobeachslayer People aren’t buying them so it’s not going to go up faster.
+69 @Elon40k I can't believe they made this change. Anyone with half a brain will admit the odds are so astronomically stacked against them, that any ticket you buy would be better spent burning it with fire. Yet, we do it. Why? I do it for the fantasy value. Who doesn't like to spend a few hours a day thinking about "...what if?" that, to me, is worth a dollar. 5 dollars? now you're insulting my intelligence. I've switched to my local state lottery and couldnt be happier. Sure, the jackpot is currently only sitting at 3 million, but it only costs 1 dollar and you get TWO lines of numbers! Thank you Oregon Game Megabucks.
+25 @Covid_45 I wonder if they’ll add a day ala powerball to increase the jackpot once they realize their mistake. #supportyourstatelottery 😛
+21 @og_ricc I went to my local gas station yesterday and bought a Fantasy 5 ticket and the cashier, who I know personally, asked me if I wanted to try the new $5 Mega Millions game as well. I said nah, no thanks, and he just laughed and said no one is playing Mega Millions anymore like how they used to. He even said his lottery rep told him to encourage customers to buy a Mega Millions ticket along with whatever other game they're playing when they're in the store. 😂 I think the jackpot will have to reach a high amount ($800 million or more) before people consider buying a ticket.
+18 @BabiesatemydingoNSW Jumping 150% from 2 to 5 dollars just to have the same odds as PB is ridiculous. I could see going to $3 maybe but 5 is just stupid. IIRC MM started at $20M not 40M previously. PB starts at 20.
+14 @mayhem_and_havoc I have played lotteries for forever. I can do $2. I refuse to do $5. I just switched to another game with lower jackpots.