Playing the lottery is a popular pastime for many people who dream of winning big. The two biggest lottery games in the United States are Powerball and Mega Millions. With giant jackpots that can grow into the hundreds of millions of dollars, it’s no wonder people love to try their luck. But when it comes to the odds of actually winning, which game gives you better chances – Powerball or Mega Millions?
How Powerball Works
Powerball is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association and is available in 45 states, plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To play Powerball, you select five main numbers between 1-69 and one Powerball number between 1-26. The minimum jackpot starts at $40 million and continues to grow until someone wins the jackpot. Jackpots are won by matching all five main numbers plus the Powerball.
Here’s a breakdown of the other ways you can win Powerball prizes:
- Match 5 main numbers only – $1 million prize
- Match 4 main numbers plus the Powerball – $50,000 prize
- Match 4 main numbers only – $100 prize
- Match 3 main numbers plus the Powerball – $100 prize
- Match 3 main numbers only – $7 prize
- Match 2 main numbers plus the Powerball – $7 prize
- Match 1 main number plus the Powerball – $4 prize
- Match the Powerball only – $4 prize
Powerball drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. Tickets cost $2 per play. You can boost your non-jackpot winnings by adding the Power Play option for an extra $1 per ticket. The Power Play multiplies your lower-tier winnings by up to 10 times the normal amount (except the jackpot and Match 5 prize).
How Mega Millions Works
Mega Millions is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association and is available in 45 states, plus Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To play Mega Millions, you pick five main numbers between 1-70 and one Mega Ball number between 1-25. The minimum starting jackpot is $20 million and continues growing until someone wins. You win the Mega Millions jackpot by matching all six numbers drawn.
Here is how you can win other Mega Millions prizes:
- Match 5 main numbers only – $1 million prize
- Match 4 main numbers plus the Mega Ball – $10,000 prize
- Match 4 main numbers only – $500 prize
- Match 3 main numbers plus the Mega Ball – $200 prize
- Match 3 main numbers only – $10 prize
- Match 2 main numbers plus the Mega Ball – $10 prize
- Match 1 main number plus the Mega Ball – $4 prize
- Match the Mega Ball only – $2 prize
Mega Millions drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. Tickets cost $2 per play. The Megaplier add-on feature costs an extra $1 per play and can multiply your non-jackpot winnings by up to 5 times, except for the Match 5 prize.
Comparing the Odds
Now let’s compare the odds of winning prizes in Powerball vs. Mega Millions.
Jackpot Odds
The odds of winning the jackpot are very slim for both lottery games. However, Mega Millions has slightly better chances:
| Lottery Game | Jackpot Odds |
|---|---|
| Powerball | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| Mega Millions | 1 in 302,575,350 |
As you can see, your odds of hitting the Powerball jackpot are about 1 in 292 million. For Mega Millions, your jackpot odds are approximately 1 in 303 million. So while Mega Millions has longer jackpot odds, the difference is relatively small in the grand scheme.
Odds of Winning Smaller Prizes
Looking beyond the jackpot, your chances improve slightly for winning smaller prizes in each game:
| Prize Won | Powerball Odds | Mega Millions Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Match 5 Main Numbers | 1 in 11,688,053 | 1 in 12,607,306 |
| Match 4 Main + Powerball/Mega Ball | 1 in 913,129 | 1 in 931,001 |
| Match 4 Main Numbers | 1 in 36,525 | 1 in 38,792 |
| Match 3 Main + Powerball/Mega Ball | 1 in 14,494 | 1 in 14,547 |
| Match 3 Main Numbers | 1 in 579 | 1 in 606 |
| Match 1 Main + Powerball/Mega Ball | 1 in 91 | 1 in 89 |
| Match Powerball/Mega Ball | 1 in 38 | 1 in 37 |
Overall, the odds are very similar for winning secondary prizes in Powerball versus Mega Millions. Matching 3 main numbers has the best odds of 1 in 579 for Powerball and 1 in 606 for Mega Millions. Your worst odds? Matching just the Powerball or Mega Ball number, which is around 1 in 37 or 38 in both games.
Which Game Has Paid Out More?
Looking at the jackpots awarded to date, Mega Millions has paid out slightly more in prize money than Powerball since its inception:
| Lottery Game | Total Prizes Paid |
|---|---|
| Powerball | $22.8 billion |
| Mega Millions | $25.9 billion |
However, Powerball still holds the record for the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history – a whopping $1.586 billion shared by 3 ticket holders in January 2016. The largest Mega Millions jackpot to date was $1.537 billion won by a single ticket holder in October 2018.
Which Game Has Better Chances of Multiple Winners?
With more number combinations available, Mega Millions has a greater chance of resulting in multiple winners for a given drawing. Mega Millions players choose from a 1-70 pool for the main numbers, compared to Powerball’s 1-69 pool. This gives Mega Millions over 11 million more possible number combinations.
In the history of Powerball, some 21 drawings have resulted in multiple jackpot winners sharing the prize. Mega Millions has had 34 drawings so far with two or more jackpot winners.
While multiple winners means splitting the jackpot, there have been instances where even split jackpots ended up in the hundreds of millions for each winner. For example, the Mega Millions record $1.537 billion jackpot had two winners who split the prize to receive $768.4 million each. So don’t let multiple winners discourage you!
Which Lottery Pays Out Better Odds?
Based on the odds comparison, Powerball technically provides better odds of winning any prize. With Powerball’s 69 main numbers and 26 Powerball numbers, there are a total of 292,201,338 possible combinations. Mega Millions has 70 main numbers and 25 Mega Ball numbers, giving 302,575,350 total combinations.
To put it another way, your overall odds of winning something in Powerball are 1 in 24.87. For Mega Millions, the odds are slightly lower at 1 in 24.03. While the odds are still long, Powerball gives you a little bit better chance of taking home a prize.
Biggest Powerball vs. Mega Millions Jackpots
Here’s a quick look at the top 10 biggest jackpots for both Powerball and Mega Millions:
Biggest Powerball Jackpots
| Amount | Draw Date | Winning Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| $1.586 Billion | 1/13/2016 | 3 tickets (CA, FL, TN) |
| $768.4 Million | 3/27/2019 | 1 ticket (WI) |
| $758.7 Million | 8/23/2017 | 1 ticket (MA) |
| $731.1 Million | 1/20/2021 | 1 ticket (MD) |
| $699.8 Million | 10/4/2021 | 1 ticket (CA) |
| $687.8 Million | 10/27/2018 | 2 tickets (IA, NY) |
| $590.5 Million | 5/18/2013 | 1 ticket (FL) |
| $587.5 Million | 11/28/2012 | 2 tickets (AZ, MO) |
| $564.1 Million | 2/11/2015 | 3 tickets (NC, PR, TX) |
| $559.7 Million | 1/6/2018 | 1 ticket (NH) |
Biggest Mega Millions Jackpots
| Amount | Draw Date | Winning Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| $1.537 Billion | 10/23/2018 | 1 ticket (SC) |
| $656 Million | 3/30/2012 | 3 tickets (IL, KS, MD) |
| $648 Million | 12/17/2013 | 2 tickets (CA, GA) |
| $543 Million | 7/24/2018 | 1 ticket (CA) |
| $536 Million | 7/8/2016 | 1 ticket (IN) |
| $533 Million | 3/30/2018 | 1 ticket (NJ) |
| $522 Million | 6/7/2019 | 1 ticket (CA) |
| $451 Million | 1/5/2018 | 1 ticket (FL) |
| $437 Million | 1/1/2019 | 1 ticket (NY) |
| $437 Million | 10/18/2022 | 1 ticket (CA) |
Both lotteries have awarded jackpots soaring well over half a billion dollars. Mega Millions holds the current record jackpot of $1.537 billion. However, Powerball still maintains the top 2 most valuable jackpots in U.S. lottery history.
Which Game Has Better Overall Chances?
If we had to crown an overall winner, Powerball edges out Mega Millions slightly when you look at the key odds comparisons:
- Powerball has better overall odds of winning any prize (1 in 24.87)
- The jackpot odds are very similar, with Powerball at 1 in 292 million vs. Mega Millions at 1 in 302 million
- Powerball has produced 2 of the 3 biggest jackpots in U.S. lottery history
- Powerball has had fewer drawings with multiple jackpot winners
However, your chances of winning either game are exceedingly small, so some experts argue a few decimal places in the odds aren’t significant. Both games produce enormous jackpots and millionaires regularly. The convenience of playing may be more important than the small odds differences. Pick the lottery game that’s readily available in your area.
Some Tips to Improve Your Odds
While winning the lottery comes down to sheer luck, there are some tips that may marginally improve your chances:
- Buy more tickets – This increases your odds mathematically, but gets expensive
- Join an office pool or lottery syndicate
- Avoid popular numbers like 1-31 or using a recognizable pattern
- Try a mix of odd and even numbers
- Check the game’s statistics to see which numbers get picked less frequently
However, there is no magic formula to ensure you’ll hit the jackpot. For the most cost-effective option, limit your lottery spending and think of it as entertainment rather than a reliable strategy to get rich quick.
Some Downsides of Playing the Lottery
While fantasizing about million-dollar jackpots is fun, be aware of some potential downsides of playing the lottery:
- Miniscule odds make it unlikely to win big
- Can lead to compulsive gambling in some individuals
- Wasting money that may be put to better use
- Winners sometimes struggle with legal issues, moochers, or identity theft
- It’s been called an unfair “regressive tax” by critics
Have realistic expectations about your chances and budget responsibly. Never chase losses or overspend on lottery tickets in the pursuit of a huge payday. As long as you have fun responsibly, entering the occasional drawing is fine, but steering clear entirely is also perfectly reasonable.
Conclusion
Powerball and Mega Millions offer excitement and abundant opportunities to try your luck. While the odds of winning the jackpot are incredibly low, there are secondary prizes that offer the chance for smaller windfalls. Overall, Powerball appears to come out on top with slightly better odds and more giant jackpots in its history.
However, both major lottery games are very comparable in prize payouts and chances of winning. For the average player, Powerball or Mega Millions ultimately comes down to a matter of personal preference and accessibility.
If you live in a state that offers Powerball but not Mega Millions, your choice is already made! Likewise, you may simply enjoy Powerball’s additional regularity with drawings twice a week instead of Mega Millions’ two drawings per week schedule.
At the end of the day, playing the lottery should be viewed as light entertainment and not a retirement strategy. Have fun in moderation, but don’t go overboard trying to hit a far-fetched jackpot. Whether you opt for Powerball or Mega Millions, think of any potential prizes as the icing on the cake rather than the main expectation.
For most people, regularly saving and investing through avenues like 401(k) plans and IRAs are vastly more likely to deliver significant wealth compared to lottery tickets. But entering the occasional lottery drawing or two can add some extra intrigue and excitement to your routine!
Both games provide the thrill of imagining what you would do with hundreds of millions of dollars if you beat the astronomical odds. Powerball and Mega Millions also generate important funding for education, senior programs, and other state causes. As long as you maintain perspective and responsible limits, participating can be an enjoyable diversion as you wait for your numbers to come up.
Will Powerball or Mega Millions make your dreams come true with their next jackpot? The choice between the two is pretty evenly split. Why not hedge your bets and try both? As long as you view lottery games as entertainment rather than a strategic plan to get rich, you might as well maximize your chances and enjoy playing both Powerball AND Mega Millions.
Though the odds are overwhelmingly against it, someone has to win eventually. And that lucky person could be you!