Powerball & Mega Millions — Prizes and Real Odds

Powerball

Powerball is operated by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) and sold in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings happen Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. A ticket costs $2 (plus $1 for the Power Play multiplier). You pick 5 white balls from 1–69 and 1 red Powerball from 1–26. The jackpot starts at $20 million and rolls until it is won.

Overall odds published by MUSL. Prize amounts shown are base game values; Power Play can multiply non-jackpot prizes 2x–10x.

Mega Millions

Mega Millions is run by a consortium of state lotteries and sold in 45 states plus D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings happen Tuesday and Friday nights. Tickets are $5 as of the April 2025 redesign, which folded the old Megaplier multiplier into the base game. You pick 5 white balls from 1–70 and 1 gold Mega Ball from 1–24. The jackpot starts at $20 million.

Odds reflect the current 5/70 + 1/24 matrix. Non-jackpot prizes are multiplied by a random 2x–10x built into every ticket.

Odds in context

The jackpot odds on both games are astronomical — roughly 1 in 292 million for Powerball and 1 in 290 million for Mega Millions. For perspective: you are more likely to be struck by lightning in your lifetime (about 1 in 15,000) than to hit a jackpot on a single ticket. The good news: both games award something on roughly 1 in every 24–25 tickets, mostly at the $2–$10 tier. Treat the ticket as entertainment, not an investment plan.