I find it an easy game to play, and I do not need to concentrate as much as when I play poker. The American public loves games of chance, and two lotteries embody that love for the game better than anybody else: the Power Ball and the Mega Millions lotteries.
Even somebody like me finds the lottery rules relatively simple: all you need is to choose 5+1 in a list of 69 numbers and hope for the best. US lotteries have the power to make you win big, really big. The biggest cash prizes won with lotteries have reached billions of dollars.
Since PowerBall and Mega Millions are ruling the show, one may ask what key differences are between these two American institutions. Which one is best for beginners, and most importantly, who has the most significant chance to win cash prizes on lottery games online? Let’s explore the main differences between the two facts and maybe catch one or two interesting facts about them.
Powerball, the Most Famous Lottery in the US
The Powerball lottery has been around since 1992 and remains one of the most famous US lotteries. Playing the Powerball lottery requires the player to predict five matching numbers plus an additional number (the Powerball) that tends to multiply your gains.
You might not always correctly predict all the numbers on the grill. You can still get a cash prize if you correctly predict 3 or 4 numbers.
Powerball is available in 45 states of America and is also available to foreign players around the world. The biggest win on the Powerball jackpot was 2,04 billion dollars on the 7th of November, 2022. No wonder why some people like me daydream when they hear about such a massive amount of wealth!
Mega Millions, Big Jackpots Since 1996
The first launch of Megamillions took place in 1996. The lottery was only available in six states of the US at the time. Nowadays, Mega Millions is allowed in 44 states of the country. Mega Millions is especially famous for its Megaplier Option, which increases the value of non-jackpot prizes.
Numbers for Mega Millions are nothing short of astonishing. The game has produced a five billion-dollar jackpot since its creation, meaning 5 people have become instant multi-millionaires just by trying their luck.
The cash prize of a Mega Millions lottery ticket has changed over time. It used to be 1$, but now it’s more like 2$. A foreigner can play this lotto online, as drawing dates are usually Tuesdays and Fridays.
Power Play, the Great Multiplier
The Power Play of Powerball is a unique feature that allows the player to make a lot of money on second prizes, also known as non-jackpot prizes. Non-jackpot prizes are prices you win if you get a few numbers right but only part of the six numbers. The Power Play features allow you to maximise your gains on secondary prizes by x10.
There are limits to this considerable boost. Indeed, the Power Play will only be available if the main jackpot is under 150 million dollars. I read each game’s terms and conditions carefully before making a decision.
Mega Millions, the Power of the Megaplier
Megaplier’s Mega Millions is a bit different because it multiplies the number of secondary prizes by a random number between 2 and 5. The value of this number is selected randomly on the day of the draw. It constitutes a perfect opportunity to maximise your gains.
To access these Megaplier features, you’ll only have to spend a dollar more on your lottery ticket. If you are a winner, you will regret not doing so on the drawing day! It’s interesting that this Megaplier feature isn’t available in every state. Please visit their site to know which states have the Megaplier feature.
Which Lottery Has the Best Odds?
Both lotteries have the same number of people to pick from and function practically the same way. Therefore, it’s complicated to decide which one has the best odds. However, the most recent odds are 1: 292,223,510 for PowerBall and 1: 292,223,510 for Mega Millions.
Technically, you still have a better chance at winning when you play Powerball, but the hard truth is that these are lotteries. Coming up with the matching numbers of a drawing doesn’t happen to everyone!
Which Lottery is Best For Beginners?
Since playing the lottery is akin to gambling and doesn’t require any strategy, there’s no reason to recommend one site or the other for beginners. Instead, you should familiarise yourself with the lottery rules and see which site is best suited for you.
If you want a brief recap of the features of the two lotteries, here are some findings that will help you make a choice :
- Odds : Powerball: 1: 292,223,510 / Mega Millions 1: 292,223,510
- Biggest Jackpot: Powerball: $2,04 billion / Mega Millions: $1,602 billion
- Multiplier Available: Power Play: x10 / Mega Millions: x5
Other Key Differences
As previously mentioned, Mega Millions and Powerball lotteries have similar functionalities. They both offer some form of multiplier that allows players to win even if they didn’t get the complete list of numbers right. Maybe one of the main differences is the way that the revenue is managed. Indeed, they have different operating costs, and they donate to various charities across the US.
My numbers haven’t come up – YET – but there is still time. I guess I shall just have to keep chancing my luck.
