Two lottery giants dominate the American landscape: Mega Millions and Powerball. These multi-state games have captured the imagination of millions with their record-breaking jackpots and life-changing prizes. While both offer the dream of instant wealth, they each have distinct characteristics that set them apart. Understanding these differences can help you make an informed choice about which game might be right for your lottery strategy.
Both games have evolved significantly since their inception, with recent changes making them more exciting than ever. Mega Millions underwent a major overhaul in April 2025, while Powerball continues to refine its format to create bigger jackpots and better odds. Let’s dive deep into what makes each game unique and which one might give you the best chance at striking it rich.
How Much Do Tickets Cost for Each Game?
The most significant difference between these lottery giants became apparent in 2025 when Mega Millions dramatically increased its ticket price. Here’s how the costs compare:
| Game | Base Ticket Price | Multiplier Option | Total with Multiplier |
| Powerball | $2 | Power Play (+$1) | $3 |
| Mega Millions | $5 | Built-in multiplier | $5 (included) |
Mega Millions tickets now cost $5, more than doubling from the previous $2 price point. This represents only the second price increase in the game’s 23-year history. However, this higher price comes with significant benefits: every ticket includes a built-in multiplier that automatically boosts non-jackpot prizes by 2x to 10x, eliminating the need for an additional purchase.
Powerball maintains its traditional $2 ticket price, keeping it more accessible for budget-conscious players. The optional Power Play feature costs an additional $1 and can multiply non-jackpot prizes by 2x to 10x, with the Match 5 prize always doubling to $2 million regardless of the multiplier drawn.
What Are the Odds of Winning Each Lottery?
Understanding your chances is crucial when choosing between these games. Both offer astronomical odds for the jackpot, but there are meaningful differences in overall winning chances:
Jackpot Odds Comparison
| Game | Jackpot Odds | Overall Odds (Any Prize) | Number Format |
| Powerball | 1 in 292,201,338 | 1 in 24.87 | 5/69 + 1/26 |
| Mega Millions (New Format) | 1 in 290,472,336 | 1 in 23 | 5/70 + 1/24 |
Mega Millions now offers slightly better jackpot odds thanks to reducing the Mega Ball pool from 25 to 24 numbers. While the difference is minimal, statistically speaking, you have a marginally better chance of winning the top prize. More importantly, Mega Millions improved its overall odds from 1 in 24 to 1 in 23, meaning you’re more likely to win something.
Both games offer nine different ways to win, from matching just the bonus ball to hitting the full jackpot. The key difference lies in the prize structures and how much you can win at each level.
Which Game Offers Better Prize Structures?
The prize structure represents one of the most important factors when comparing these games. Mega Millions has completely revamped its prizes, while Powerball maintains its established format:
Secondary Prize Comparison
| Prize Level | Powerball | Powerball with Power Play | Mega Millions (with built-in multiplier) |
| Match 5 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2M – $10M |
| Match 4 + Bonus | $50,000 | $100K – $500K | $200K – $1M |
| Just Bonus Ball | $4 | $8 – $40 | $10 – $50 |
Mega Millions now offers significantly larger secondary prizes thanks to its built-in multiplier system. The second-tier prize (matching 5 white balls) can reach up to $10 million, compared to Powerball’s maximum of $2 million with Power Play. This represents a major advantage for players who come close to winning the jackpot.
Perhaps most importantly, Mega Millions eliminated “breakeven” prizes. Under the old system, matching just the Mega Ball won you $2 – exactly what you paid for the ticket. Now, this lowest prize tier pays between $10 and $50, ensuring every winner receives more than the cost of their ticket.
Learn more about Mega Millions prizes and jackpot on our website. You can also find out more about Powerball prizes and jackpot at Lottomat.
How Do Drawing Schedules Compare?
Frequency matters when you’re chasing life-changing jackpots. The two games offer different opportunities throughout the week:
| Game | Drawing Days | Drawing Time | Weekly Chances |
| Powerball | Monday, Wednesday, Saturday | 10:59 PM ET | 3 |
| Mega Millions | Tuesday, Friday | 11:00 PM ET | 2 |
Powerball gives you more opportunities to win with three drawings per week compared to Mega Millions’ two. This means 156 chances per year versus 104 for Mega Millions. For players who enjoy the excitement of frequent drawings, Powerball delivers more regular thrills.
The different schedules also mean you can play both games throughout the week if you choose, with Powerball covering Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, while Mega Millions fills Tuesday and Friday.
What Are the Biggest Jackpots These Games Have Produced?
Both games have made headlines with record-breaking prizes, but Powerball currently holds the crown for the largest lottery jackpot in history:
Top 5 Largest Jackpots
| Rank | Amount | Game | Date | Location |
| 1 | $2.04 billion | Powerball | Nov 2022 | California |
| 2 | $1.765 billion | Powerball | Oct 2023 | California |
| 3 | $1.602 billion | Mega Millions | Aug 2023 | Florida |
| 4 | $1.586 billion | Powerball | Jan 2016 | CA, FL, TN |
| 5 | $1.537 billion | Mega Millions | Oct 2018 | South Carolina |
Powerball dominates the top spots with three of the five largest jackpots ever won. However, Mega Millions expects this to change with its new format. The lottery consortium projects that the average jackpot will exceed $800 million, compared to the previous average of around $450 million.
The new $5 ticket price means jackpots will start at $50 million instead of $20 million, and they’ll grow faster due to increased revenue per ticket sold. Lottery officials anticipate “more billion-dollar jackpots than ever before” in the coming years.
Where Can You Play These Games?
Both games enjoy widespread availability across the United States, with only minor differences in coverage:
Geographic Availability
| Game | States & Territories | Not Available In |
| Powerball | 45 states + DC + Puerto Rico + US Virgin Islands | Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah |
| Mega Millions | 45 states + DC + US Virgin Islands | Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah |
Powerball has a slight edge with Puerto Rico participation, but both games are available in the same 45 states plus Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Five states – Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah – don’t offer state lotteries, so residents there cannot purchase tickets locally.
Both games have embraced online sales through authorized platforms and mobile apps in participating states. This means you can purchase tickets, check results, and even set up automatic entries from your smartphone in most jurisdictions.
TIP: Play Mega Millions online or play Powerball online at Lottomat – anytime!
Which Game Offers Better Value for Your Money?
Determining “value” in lottery games requires looking beyond just ticket price to consider the complete package of odds, prizes, and potential returns:
Value Analysis
- Budget Players: Powerball remains more accessible with $2 tickets, allowing players to participate more frequently or try different number combinations within the same budget
- Prize Maximizers: Mega Millions offers significantly larger secondary prizes, especially valuable for players who match 4 or 5 numbers but miss the jackpot
- Frequency Seekers: Powerball provides 50% more drawing opportunities with three weekly drawings versus two
- Multiplier Fans: Mega Millions includes the multiplier feature automatically, while Powerball requires an additional $1 purchase
The “better value” depends entirely on your playing style and budget. If you typically buy just one or two tickets, Powerball’s lower price point lets you play more often. However, if you usually purchase multiplier options anyway, Mega Millions’ higher price includes features you’d pay extra for elsewhere.
From a pure mathematical standpoint, both games have negative expected values – as do all lotteries. You’re paying for entertainment and the dream of winning, not making a sound investment. The key is choosing the game that provides the most enjoyment for your entertainment dollar.
What’s the Bottom Line?
Both Mega Millions and Powerball offer legitimate paths to incredible wealth, each with distinct advantages. Powerball appeals to budget-conscious players who want frequent chances to play, while Mega Millions targets those seeking maximum prize potential and don’t mind paying more for premium features.
Recent changes have positioned these games as complementary rather than competing options. You could reasonably play Powerball on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, then switch to Mega Millions on Tuesday and Friday, covering the entire week with different strategies and prize structures.
Ultimately, both games offer the same fundamental promise: life-changing jackpots that can turn ordinary players into instant millionaires. Whether you choose based on price, odds, prize structure, or simply personal preference, you’re participating in two of the most exciting lottery games ever created. The real question isn’t which game is better – it’s whether you’ll have the winning ticket when your numbers finally come up.
Read also: EuroMillions vs Eurojackpot – Complete Comparison 2025