Powerball vs Mega Millions: which ticket is which

• Jackpot odds are close to equal.
• Mega Millions costs more but always multiplies small prizes.
• Powerball adds a multiplier only with Power Play.
• Both are long shots; play for fun.

Formats as listed by each game’s official site.

A Powerball play costs $2. You can add Power Play for $1, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes and lifts the match-5 prize to $2 million. A Mega Millions play costs $5, and every play includes a random multiplier from 2× to 10×.

That makes small prizes larger on Mega Millions. Its lowest prize, matching only the Mega Ball, pays $10 to $50 after the multiplier. Matching five white balls pays $2 million at 2× and $10 million at 10×.

For the same budget you get more Powerball plays. $10 buys five Powerball lines or two Mega Millions lines, which gives Powerball more total chances at the jackpot for the money.

The jackpot odds come from the number pools. Choosing 5 of 69 and 1 of 26 gives 292,201,338 combinations. Choosing 5 of 70 and 1 of 24 gives 290,472,336. Neither game is meaningfully easier to win.

Both jackpots roll over until won, and record jackpots on both games have topped $1 billion. Winners choose between an annuity paid over 30 years and a smaller lump sum, and federal and often state tax applies.

In California, non-jackpot prizes are paid on a pari-mutuel basis, so prize amounts there can differ from the fixed amounts shown by the games.

1. 1

   Step 01

   Set a budget

   A fixed amount per draw.

2. 2

   Step 02

   Decide on extras

   Power Play or not.

3. 3

   Step 03

   Compare plays

   More lines or bigger small prizes.

4. 4

   Step 04

   Check draw days

   Pick the schedule you like.

5. 5

   Step 05

   Sign your ticket

   Keep it safe.

If you want the most jackpot chances for your money, Powerball gives more plays per dollar. If you prefer bigger small prizes and do not mind the price, Mega Millions’ built-in multiplier means every non-jackpot win is at least doubled.

Both games return well under half of sales as prizes on average, once jackpots are set aside. Treat tickets as entertainment, not a plan to make money.

Tickets are sold at licensed retailers, and in some states online through the state lottery. You must usually be 18 or older, though a few states set 19 or 21.

Thinking one game is easier

Jackpot odds are near equal.

Ignoring cost per play

$2 vs $5.

Not checking small wins

Prizes go unclaimed.

Chasing big jackpots

Odds stay the same.

• Lottery odds →Odds for all draw games.
• Annuity vs lump sum →Taking a jackpot.
• Quick pick vs own numbers →Picking your numbers.
• Online lottery states →Where you can buy online.

Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, game mix, floor facts). Venues with this game in official counts, sorted high to low.

Browse all Las Vegas casinos →

A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.

1. Powerball — Official site Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Prizes, odds and drawing days
2. Mega Millions — How to play Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Prizes, odds and the multiplier
3. Wizard of Odds — Lottery Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry)?The gaming industry’s standard reference for casino-game math, by actuary Michael Shackleford. Not an official registry; our calculators compute these numbers independently. · accessed Oct 15, 2026Lottery odds and return
4. National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER