{"id":11375,"date":"2026-03-08T08:55:39","date_gmt":"2026-03-08T08:55:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.thelotter.com\/?p=11375"},"modified":"2026-05-22T17:24:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T17:24:06","slug":"ticket-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelotter.com\/blog\/mega-millions\/ticket-cost\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Mega Millions Ticket Cost?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What Is the Mega Millions Ticket Cost?<\/h1>\n\n\n
TheLotter<\/a><\/span> \u00bb Mega Millions<\/a><\/span> \u00bb What Is the Mega Millions Ticket Cost?<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n

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When you play Mega Millions<\/a>, where and how you play the game makes all the difference when it comes to how much your ticket will cost. Luckily for you, we have compiled a guide of all the factors that can change the cost of a Mega Millions ticket, and how you can save money when you play!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is the Basic Cost of a Mega Millions Ticket?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it initially launched in 1996 as \u201cThe Big Game\u201d, the price of a ticket was a humble $1. Following changes to the lottery’s format in 2017, the cost of a standard Mega Millions entry doubled to US$2. As part of a major revamp to the Mega Millions game, including a higher starting jackpot, improved odds and faster rollovers, the price of a ticket increased to US$5 to account for these upgrades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does the Multiplier Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Following Mega Million\u2019s revamp in April 2025, the optional Megaplier was replaced by a built-in Multiplier. This exciting game feature boosts the second division prize to US$2 – US$10 million, depending on the Multiplier number generated for the draw, while the remaining prizes can be multiplied 2-10 times their original amount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you play from outside the US?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You could wait until your next vacation or business trip in the United States to purchase a ticket, but that means missing the excitement of regularly participation in Mega Millions draws. You certainly wouldn’t travel to the US especially to play the lottery! Instead, you could opt to play Mega Millions online. While this option is much cheaper than flying to the US, the cost per lottery ticket will be a bit more than if you were buying a ticket in person in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Is the Mega Millions Ticket Price When You Play Online?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How much does a Mega Millions ticket cost online? There are many answers to this question, as online lottery agencies earn revenue in different ways and at different rates. Online ticket purchasing services such as the TheLotter, will add a service fee to the cost of your ticket. Other online lottery services will take a commission on your prize money when you win<\/a>, meaning the prize advertised is not necessarily what you\u2019ll be walking home with. Betting on lottery services can offer you tickets that are slightly less expensive than ticket purchasing services, but you will not be playing with official lottery tickets in the official draw. You will still be adding on around US$2.00 to the original price of a Mega Millions ticket.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Why Is Playing the Lottery Online More Expensive?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Purchasing any product through a third-party will always cost you a little more than buying it from the source. In addition to the price of the ticket, you are also paying for TheLotter\u2019s ticket purchasing service, which includes administrative costs, and the claiming and transfer of money to your account when you win. On the bright side, we can all agree that paying a small service-fee for the opportunity to win millions beats purchasing a plane ticket to the United States any day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Save On the Cost of My Mega Millions Ticket?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest advantages of playing Mega Millions online is the availability of ticket-purchasing options that can save you a pretty penny and lots of time! At TheLotter, customers can take advantage of two popular play options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n