Despite lottery officials saying players have a better chance of winning, some people say they're turning away after the price of a Mega Millions ticket increased by more than 100%.

The Mega Millions lottery has recently seen a significant price increase, with ticket costs more than doubling. Despite assurances from lottery officials that players have a slightly increased chance of winning, sales have been impacted at certain locations. At the Sunoco station on Reynolds Road, lottery activity has noticeably decreased, with players purchasing fewer tickets than before. Previously, players tended to buy 10 to 20 tickets at a time; now, they're opting for just 2 to 5 tickets due to the higher cost.

Some players have completely stopped purchasing Mega Millions tickets, questioning the value of the increased price for only marginally improved odds of hitting the jackpot. Originally, the odds stood at 1 in 292 million, a figure that hasn't changed significantly. Jim Prather highlighted this sentiment, observing that his wife, a former regular player, hasn't played since the price hike and possibly will decide to play less in the future.

Lottery officials pointed out that, nationally, sales are still matching previous levels despite the new $5 price tag. Some customers, however, feel the increase renders the ticket less appealing, with comments suggesting that players might reduce their participation frequency in response to the added cost. Meanwhile, there is speculation among station managers that the price hike is part of a strategy to set Mega Millions apart from its counterpart, Powerball. One manager believes ticket sales will eventually bounce back as players become accustomed to the new pricing structure.



Buyers wary as Mega Millions ticket jumps more than 100%

It's been about one week since the price of a Mega Millions ticket more than doubled. We went to see if that price increase has hurt sales. The Sunoco station on Reynolds Road is always busy with lottery players, but those who were once inclined to try their luck at Mega Millions haven't been out in full force. People used to play a lot more Mega Millions before, like 10 tickets at a time or 20 tickets, but now they reduce like 2 to 5 because it costs them more. Some are choosing to eliminate the game altogether, given the more than 100 percent price increase for a shot at a bigger jackpot, but with only slightly greater odds of winning. Odds that were 1 in 292 million to begin with. Jim Prather's wife was once a Mega Millions player. If you think about it, it's more than doubled. She just hasn't played it. She might play it. She hasn't played it since, but she may play it again. You never know. Lottery officials tell LEX18 that since the first drawing under the new system last week, as much as they did previously across the nation, but still, that $5 buy-in isn't appealing to some. Probably a layoff. Cut back a little bit on it. Not play as much. Yes. $5 is kind of expensive. Patel said she believes that the sales of Mega Millions tickets will increase once again as soon as people become more aware of the price increase. And another station manager in another part of town said lottery officials told him they did this so that Mega Millions could distinguish itself from Powerball. Michael Burke, Scripps News Group.

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