Powerball and Mega Millions are the two most popular games worldwide. Both lotteries are the two biggest lotteries in the World. They offer jackpot prizes worth hundreds of millions or more. Each game is unique in itself, run by two different independent associations. However, their similarities and differences may appeal to different lottery players.
However, it gets confusing when trying to select the better one. This article explains the difference between Mega Millions and Powerball, such as the prizes, odds, and rules. Hopefully, it will help you select the best one for you.
Contents
- Differences Between Mega Millions and Powerball
- Mega Millions Vs. Powerball: Odds & Chances
- What Is the Jackpot for Mega Millions and Powerball?
- Mega Millions and Powerball Rules Compared
- Which Has Better Prizes, Powerball or Mega Millions?
- What States Have Powerball and Mega Millions?
- What do Powerball and Mega Millions Have in Common?
- Six Things to Know About Powerball and Mega Millions
- Mega Millions or Powerball: Who Is The Winner?
- FAQs
Differences Between Mega Millions and Powerball
Mega Millions and Powerball have similar game rules, but they still retain many differences that separate them from each other. The differences between Mega Millions and Powerball are in the jackpot prizes, lottery odds, draw dates, multiplier option, ticket cost, and selection range.
| Mega Millions | Powerball | |
|---|---|---|
| Draw Dates | Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 pm E.T. | Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 pm E.T. |
| Main Selection Range | 1-70 | 1-69 |
| Extra Pick | Mega Ball | Powerball |
| Extra Selection Range | 1-24 | 1-26 |
| Multiplier | From 2x to 10x | Power Play |
| Highest Multiplier | 10x | 10x |
| Jackpot Odds | 1 in 290,472,336 | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| Record Jackpot | $1.602 Billion | $2.04 billion |
| Drawings per week | 2 | 3 |
| Price per ticket | $5 | $2 |
| How to Play | Choose five numbers between 1 to 70 and a Mega ball between 1 to 24 | Choose five numbers between 1 to 69 and a Powerball between 1 and 25 |
| Available to Play in |
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Mega Millions Vs. Powerball: Odds & Chances
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 290,472,336, while the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338. These values show that it is not easy to win the jackpot of both games, but your chances of winning are slightly better in the Mega Millions lottery.
The table below compares the odds of winning the Mega Millions against the Powerball lottery.
| Prize Tier | Match | Win | Mega Millions Odds | Powerball Odds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Millions Win | Powerball Win | ||||
| 1 | 5+1 | Jackpot (Starts at $50 million) | Jackpot (Starts at $20 million) | 1 in 290,472,336 | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| 2 | 5 | $2 million (2x) | $2 Million | 1 in 12,629,232 | 1 in 11,688,053,52 |
| 3 | 4+1 | $20,000 (2x) | $50,000 | 1 in 893,761 | 1 in 913,129 |
| 4 | 4 | $1,000 (2x) | $100 | 1 in 38,859 | 1 in 36,525 |
| 5 | 3+1 | $400 (2x) | $100 | 1 in 13,965 | 1 in 14,494 |
| 6 | 3 | $20 (2x) | $7 | 1 in 607 | 1 in 579 |
| 7 | 2+1 | $20 (2x) | $7 | 1 in 665 | 1 in 701 |
| 8 | 1+1 | $14 (2x) | $4 | 1 in 86 | 1 in 91 |
| 9 | 0+1 | $10 (2x) | $4 | 1 in 35 | 1 in 38 |
This table shows the odds of winning any prize in Mega Millions and Powerball.
| Game | Odds of Winning Any Prize |
|---|---|
| Mega Millions | 1 in 23 |
| Powerball | 1 in 24.9 |
Reading more about the odds of winning at Mega Millions would be best to find out how you can play the game better. Also, for Powerball, learning about the odds of winning Powerball can improve the gaming experience.
What Is the Jackpot for Mega Millions and Powerball?
Mega Millions and Powerball are known to award record-breaking jackpots. Some of the biggest lottery prizes in the World have come from these two games. For instance, Mega Millions awarded a whopping sum of $1.602 billion to a single player from Florida on August 8, 2023. On the other hand, Powerball has a record prize of $2.04 billion, awarded in November 2022.
The jackpot prizes for the Mega Millions and Powerball vary based on ticket sales and will be announced before each draw. They start at $50 million and $20 million, respectively, and can roll over and grow to massive amounts.
| Mega Millions | Powerball | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Jackpot Prize | $50 Million | $20 Million |
| Highest Jackpot Prize | $1.602 Billion | $2.04 Billion |
Mega Millions and Powerball Rules Compared
The rules of the Mega Millions and Powerball are the same. In the Mega Millions, players are required to pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers. So first, in Mega Millions, they would select five white numbers between 1 and 70 and a Mega ball between 1 and 24. You win the US Mega Millions when you have an exact match with the numbers from the draws.
In Powerball, players need to choose five numbers between 1 and 69 for the white balls and another number between 1 and 26 for the Powerball. You will win the US Powerball when your selections accurately match the numbers from the draws.
| Mega Millions | Powerball | |
|---|---|---|
| Main Selection Range | 1-70 | 1-69 |
| Extra Pick | Mega Ball | Powerball |
| Extra Selection Range | 1-24 | 1-26 |
The Mega Millions Multiplier vs. The Power Play
The multiplier feature in Mega Millions and Powerball allows secondary prizes to be much larger, up to 10x. The multiplier value is selected at random during the draw.
The Mega Millions multiplier and Power Play do not affect the jackpot. However, they multiply the secondary prizes by the value of the multiplier. Therefore, players will get a multiplied secondary prize if they win, according to the drawn number.
| Mega Millions | Powerball | |
|---|---|---|
| Multiplier | Megaplier / Multiplier | Power Play |
| Highest Multiplier | 10x | 10x |
Which Has Better Prizes, Powerball or Mega Millions?
When it comes to which lottery offers the better prize, you will find out that both lotteries can deliver massive amounts. Powerball and Mega Millions have awarded billions of dollars in jackpot winnings to winners. The top secondary prizes in both games are close in value with a minor difference.
You win the jackpot in both games if you match all five numbers from the draw and the unique number. After the jackpot, Mega Millions awards $2 million to the next place winner who matches five balls, thanks to the minimum multiplier of 2x.The Powerball prize for matching five balls is also $1 million. It can grow up to $2 million with the Power Play.
In terms of absolute payments, Mega Millions certainly has better and bigger prizes for most tiers.
What States Have Powerball and Mega Millions?
You can play Powerball in 45 states in the U.S., along with Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, it is unavailable in Nevada, Utah, Alabama, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Mega Millions is also available in 45 states in the United States of America, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, it is unavailable in Nevada, Utah, Alabama, Alaska, and Hawaii.
| State | Do they have Powerball? | Do they have Mega Millions? |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No | No |
| Alaska | No | No |
| Arizona | Yes | Yes |
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes |
| California | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes | Yes |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes |
| Florida | Yes | Yes |
| Georgia | Yes | Yes |
| Hawaii | No | No |
| Idaho | Yes | Yes |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes |
| Indiana | Yes | Yes |
| Iowa | Yes | Yes |
| Kansas | Yes | Yes |
| Kentucky | Yes | Yes |
| Louisiana | Yes | Yes |
| Maine | Yes | Yes |
| Maryland | Yes | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes |
| Michigan | Yes | Yes |
| Minnesota | Yes | Yes |
| Mississippi | Yes | Yes |
| Missouri | Yes | Yes |
| Montana | Yes | Yes |
| Nebraska | Yes | Yes |
| Nevada | No | No |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes |
| New Mexico | Yes | Yes |
| New York | Yes | Yes |
| North Carolina | Yes | Yes |
| North Dakota | Yes | Yes |
| Ohio | Yes | Yes |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Yes |
| Oregon | Yes | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes |
| Puerto Rico | Yes | No |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes |
| South Carolina | Yes | Yes |
| South Dakota | Yes | Yes |
| Tennessee | Yes | Yes |
| Texas | Yes | Yes |
| US Virgin Islands | Yes | Yes |
| Utah | No | No |
| Vermont | Yes | Yes |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes |
| Washington | Yes | Yes |
| Washington DC | Yes | Yes |
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Yes |
| Wyoming | Yes | Yes |
What do Powerball and Mega Millions Have in Common?
Powerball and Mega Millions have many things in common. Here are some similarities we can find in both games.
- They both require the player to select five balls and a special ball. They both have huge jackpot prizes.
- Both have a multiplier. It is already included in the Mega Millions ticket and an optional cost in Powerball.
- They are both offered across multiple states in the US and are available for international players on lottery sites.
Six Things to Know About Powerball and Mega Millions
Powerball and Mega Millions are among the biggest lotteries in the U.S. and the World. Everybody who enters the draw has an equal chance of winning the jackpot prizes, but the odds of winning are so difficult that the jackpot can keep rolling over without any winner. Here are some things to know about Powerball and Mega Millions.
- Mega Millions started on 6 September 1996. Powerball had its first draw on 22 April 1992.
- Drawings for Mega Millions are done every Tuesday and Friday. At the same time, Powerball drawings happen on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
- You can play Powerball and Mega Millions from almost anywhere in the world. You do not have to be in the U.S. to play these games.
- Jackpot prizes in Powerball and Mega Millions can be claimed as a one-time payment or split into 30 annual payments, which increase by five percent yearly.
- Your chances of winning Powerball or Mega Millions are slimmer than catching two fouls at a baseball game.
- You can join Powerball syndicates or Mega Millions syndicates for an improved chance of winning.
Mega Millions or Powerball: Who Is The Winner?
Mega Millions and Powerball are great lottery games with huge prizes that change your life if you get lucky. There really isn’t a better option as both games are very balanced in gameplay, odds, and prizes. It depends on you, the player. Just go with which one is more accessible for you. And if you still can’t decide which to pick, try both of them out. Who knows? You might win!
FAQs
Are Mega Millions and Powerball Rigged?
No, Mega Millions and Powerball are not rigged. Their lottery system is controlled by computer software programmed to generate all numbers randomly. Therefore, there is no way to know the exact numbers that will be drawn before the draw.
Is Mega Millions or Powerball Easier to Win?
Mathematically, Mega Millions is easier to win than Powerball because it has better odds. However, the difference is not really remarkable.
Is Mega Millions and Powerball the Same Thing?
No, they aren’t the same thing. Both lotteries may have similar gameplay, odds, and prizes. However, they are run by totally different organizations.
Which Has Better Odds, Mega Millions or Powerball?
Mega Millions has better odds. The odds of winning Powerball is 1 in 292,201,338, while the odds of winning Mega Millions is 1 in 290,472,336.
Where Can I Play Mega Millions or Powerball?
You can play Mega Millions and Powerball on popular lottery websites like theLotter, LottoAgent, WinTrillions, LottoGo, and Lottofy.
Where Can I Find the Winning Powerball or Mega Millions Number?
You can find the winning Powerball or Mega Millions number on the lottery website where you played the game. All lottery websites have a result page for players to check past lottery results. You can also check the winning numbers here at Lottery ‘n Go via our Powerball results and Mega Millions results pages.
