Mega Millions vs. Powerball: Which is better?

Written by Jackpot Staff

Updated: April 8, 2025

Lottery games have always been a popular form of entertainment, offering the possibility of appealing jackpots to lucky winners. Two of the most well-known lottery games in the United States are Mega Millions and Powerball. With Jackpot.com, delve into the similarities and differences between these two beloved games.

Understanding Mega Millions and Powerball

The basics of Mega Millions

To play Mega Millions, players must choose five numbers from a pool of 70 and one additional number, known as the Mega Ball, from a pool of 24. Drawings for Mega Millions take place twice a week, offering players a chance to win big on Tuesdays and Fridays. The anticipation builds as players eagerly await the results, imagining the possibilities of what they could do with their newfound wealth.

Winning the Mega Millions jackpot is no easy feat. Players must match all six numbers drawn, which is statistically quite challenging. However, the allure of the massive jackpot, which starts at a staggering $50 million and can roll over to billions, keeps players coming back for more.

Aside from the jackpot, Mega Millions offers eight additional prize tiers, with prizes ranging from a few dollars to millions. These prizes are awarded for matching various combinations of the numbers drawn, and they are guaranteed regardless of ticket sales. Even if players don't hit the jackpot, they still have a chance to win a substantial amount of money, adding to the excitement and thrill of playing.

The basics of Powerball

In contrast, Powerball requires players to select five numbers from a pool of 69 and one Powerball number from a separate pool of 26 numbers. Drawings for Powerball occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, increasing the excitement and anticipation for players all week long. The days leading up to the drawing are filled with dreams of what could be, as players imagine how their lives could change with a single lucky ticket.

Similar to Mega Millions, Powerball offers multiple prize tiers in addition to the jackpot. These secondary prizes are awarded for matching various combinations of the numbers drawn, with the amount depending on ticket sales and the number of winners. The allure of these secondary prizes, which can range from a few dollars to millions, adds an extra layer of excitement to the game, as players eagerly check their tickets to see if they've won.

Both Mega Millions and Powerball have captured the imagination of millions of people across the United States. The thrill of playing, the dreams of winning big, and the excitement of the draw days create a unique and exhilarating experience for lottery enthusiasts. Whether it's the Mega Millions or Powerball, these games offer a chance for ordinary people to dream big.

How the Powerball and Mega Millions lottery games work

While both Mega Millions and Powerball follow a similar format of selecting numbers, there are some differences in how the games function. Understanding the nuances of each game can enhance your lottery experience and potentially maximize your winnings. Let's delve deeper into the mechanics of Mega Millions and Powerball to see how they operate.

How Mega Millions Works

Jackpot winnings from Mega Millions fluctuate depending on ticket sales and the number of jackpot winners. This dynamic system creates an environment where jackpots can soar to staggering amounts, especially when fueled by rollovers from previous drawings. In addition, all non-jackpot prize tiers are guaranteed regardless of ticket sales, so even non-jackpot winners can walk away with jaw-dropping sums.

Thanks to a recent update to the game rules, Mega Millions offers players the chance to win big prizes with the built-in Multiplier feature. This multiplier can significantly increase non-jackpot prizes, allowing multiplying winnings by two, three, four, five, or even ten times. The Multiplier adds an element of unpredictability and excitement to the game, increasing the potential rewards for lucky players.

How the Powerball lottery game works

Similarly to Mega Millions, Powerball bases its jackpots on ticket sales, however, the initial jackpot is always set to $20 million. If no winner is found after a drawing, the Powerball jackpot rolls over which will add a minimum of $2 million to the jackpot as well as provide players with another opportunity to win big. This straightforward approach offers players more clarity on potential winnings and ensures transparency in prize distribution.

Powerball features a Power Play option that players can opt for at an additional cost. This multiplier can significantly enhance non-jackpot prizes, injecting an element of surprise and potential windfall into the game. For example, a player who picks the Power Play option could multiply their non-jackpot winnings (the prizes for matching 5 or fewer balls) by upwards of 10 times the original amount - a third place prize could be multiplied from $50,000 to as high as $500,000! By choosing the Power Play, players can elevate their winnings and add an extra layer of excitement to their Powerball experience.

The odds of winning Powerball vs. Mega Millions

When playing the lottery, it's crucial to understand the odds of winning. Let's take a closer look at the probabilities of winning in Mega Millions and Powerball.

Winning Odds in Mega Millions

The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 290,472,336. However, the overall odds of winning any prize in Mega Millions are much better, with odds ranging from 1 in 23.07 to 1 in 12,629,232. This means that while the chances of winning the top prize are slim, there are still plenty of opportunities to win smaller prizes in this popular lottery game.

Each Mega Millions ticket costs $5, and players must choose five numbers from 1 to 70 and a Mega Ball number from 1 to 24. The drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday night, with millions of hopeful players tuning in to see if their numbers will come up.

Winning Odds in Powerball

Powerball overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 25. However, the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338. Despite the steep odds, Powerball remains one of the most popular lottery games in the United States, with players from across the country participating in drawings three times a week.

To play Powerball, participants must select five numbers from 1 to 69 and a Powerball number from 1 to 26. Each ticket costs $2, and the drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday night. The excitement builds as the jackpot grows, often reaching hundreds of millions of dollars and capturing the imagination of players everywhere.

Although the odds of winning either lottery game are not very high, the potential rewards make it a thrilling experience for players who dream of hitting the jackpot. The chance to turn a few dollars into a fortune is what keeps the excitement alive and the lines at lottery retailers long.

How Jackpots Grow (Rollovers)

One of the biggest draws for both Mega Millions and Powerball is the potential for jackpots to reach astronomical figures. This happens thanks to the rollover mechanism, which works similarly for both games.

What is a Rollover? If no ticket matches all the winning numbers to claim the jackpot in a given drawing, the prize money isn't lost. Instead, it "rolls over" and is added to the jackpot amount for the next drawing.

• Starting Point: The newly updated Mega Millions now begins at $50 million, while Powerball maintains a $20 million starting jackpot (estimated annuity value).
• How Growth Happens: When a drawing occurs and nobody wins the top prize, the jackpot fund for that draw is carried over and combined with the funds generated by ticket sales for the following draw. This process repeats, causing the estimated jackpot to increase progressively with each rollover.
• What Determines the Increase? The exact amount the jackpot increases between drawings isn't fixed. It primarily depends on two factors for both lottery games:
• Ticket Sales: The more tickets sold for a particular drawing, the larger the contribution to the prize pool and, consequently, the bigger the potential rollover increase. High jackpots naturally fuel higher sales.
• Interest Rates: Since the advertised jackpot value is based on a 30-year annuity, current interest rates play a role in estimating that total value.

Key Similarity: The fundamental rollover mechanism is the same for Mega Millions and Powerball. The lack of a jackpot winner directly leads to a larger prize pool for the subsequent draw in both games. While the differing odds might affect how often each game's jackpot is won (and thus how often it rolls over), the process of rolling over and growing the jackpot is similar.

Comparing Jackpots

Now, let's examine the jackpots offered by Mega Millions and Powerball, as these are often the driving forces behind players' excitement and participation.

Mega Millions Jackpots

Mega Millions has produced some of the largest jackpots in lottery history. In fact, in August 2023, the highest Mega Millions jackpot ever recorded made headlines with a staggering $1.6 billion. This colossal sum captured the attention of people around the world and sparked dreams of untold riches.

While such enormous jackpots are rare, Mega Millions consistently offers multi-million dollar prizes, providing players with a chance to fulfill their wildest dreams and change their lives forever.

Powerball Jackpots

Powerball is no stranger to massive jackpots either. In November 2022, Powerball made headlines when a lucky California resident won a record-breaking $2.04 billion. This historic Powerball jackpot had people lining up to purchase tickets, hoping to be the lucky winner. Even with such incredible winnings, Powerball consistently offers substantial jackpots that captivate players worldwide.

Ticket pricing and sales

When considering participating in these lottery games, it's essential to know the cost of tickets and where to buy them.

Cost of Mega Millions Tickets

Mega Millions tickets cost $5 per play including the built-in multiplier.

Tickets can be purchased from authorized retailers in participating states or online through various trusted platforms. It's important to note that different states may have different cutoff times for ticket sales, so it's advisable to check the rules and regulations specific to your location.

Cost of Powerball Tickets

Powerball tickets also cost $2 per play. For an extra $1, players can opt for the Power Play feature, potentially increasing their non-jackpot prizes.

Similar to Mega Millions, tickets can be bought from authorized retailers in participating states or through trusted online platforms. Checking the specific rules and regulations for your area is crucial to ensure you don't miss out on a chance to play.

Is it easier to win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot?

• A: It is statistically slightly easier to win the Mega Millions jackpot (odds ~1 in 290.5 million) than the Powerball jackpot (odds ~1 in 292.2 million).

Which lottery game has better overall odds of winning any prize?

• A: Mega Millions has slightly better overall odds (approximately 1 in 23.07) compared to Powerball (approximately 1 in 24.9).

Which game typically has bigger jackpots?

• A: Both games regularly feature massive jackpots often reaching hundreds of millions or even billions after rollovers. Historically, Powerball holds the record for the single largest jackpot ($2.04 billion in 2022), but Mega Millions has also awarded jackpots over $1.5 billion. Jackpot size varies greatly depending on sales and rollovers.

Can I use the multiplier (Megaplier/Power Play) on the jackpot?

• A: No, the Multiplier (Mega Millions) and Power Play (Powerball) options only multiply non-jackpot prizes.

How much does a Mega Millions or Powerball ticket cost?

• A: A standard Powerball ticket costs $2 per play, with the Power Play option available for an additional $1. Mega Millions ticket is $5, which includes a built-in multiplier option.

How often are the lottery drawings held?

• A: Mega Millions drawings are held twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays). Powerball drawings are held three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays).