Mega Millions players question steep price hike

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Caitlyn was buying her Mega Millions ticket in Midtown Monday evening when she found out that prices will rise to $5 beginning in April.

"Come on, like they don't make enough money," she quipped.

She’s only been playing the Mega Millions for six months, but veteran lottery players like Corky Ramirez also believe this is a huge increase.

“Wow, that’s a lot of money going up. It should go maybe 3 dollars,” said Ramirez.

“It is going from 2 dollars to 5 dollars, why they are doing that?” questioned lottery player, Anthony.

The Mega Millions Consortium says the mega overhaul is designed to create more opportunities to win, with a multiplier option built into every play, bigger jackpots, more frequent, faster-growing jackpots, and no breakeven prizes.

“2 to 5 dollars so it is going to impact the game,” said Ahmed, who sells tickets at his deli in midtown.

For deli owners, the main concern is losing customers, which means less commission for them.

‘Maybe people are going to start thinking 5 dollars is too much money, actually, 2 dollars is enough,” stated Khan who also sells tickets.

This is the first price adjustment since 2017 when the price per play jumped from 1 to 2 dollars.

But make no mistake, at least for the players PIX11 spoke with, the hike in price will not deter them from this game that has created $6B wins since it began in 2002.

“Without a question, you have to be in it to win it,” said a player. “I  am still going to play. I’m still going to play,” added the other player.”