Inside Mega Millions ticket changes and new game rules - what it means for jackpot prizes

From next year, Mega Millions players will be forking out a little extra for their lottery tickets - as well as being faced with some new rules.

Starting in April, the company announced that they would be raising the price of their ticket to $5, an increase from the current $2. However, the game itself is also changing - with some people excited about playing with some better odds . From next April, the number of Mega balls will be reduced by one - improving odds with few numbers to choose from.

There will also be a 10x multiplier - randomised and embedded for every play, meaning prizes will go up. The new play means just matching the Mega ball wins at least $10 with a 2x multiplier - and up to up to $50 with a 10X multiplier.

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The officials also said that the increased price tag on the ticket would lead to bigger jackpots , better odds and more frequent giant prizes.

“Spending 5 bucks to become a millionaire or billionaire, that's pretty good,” Joshua Johnston, director of the Washington Lottery and lead director of the group that oversees Mega Millions, said to NBC affiliate WBTS . Lottery officials have told the outlet that they are confident that players won't mind being charged extra for the benefits . It is the second time that Mega Millions has increased the price. The first time was in 2002.

Mega Millions and it's compatriot, Powerball, are sold in 45 states including Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball has announced that they will not be following Mega Millions and will be keeping their current price, $2, for the foreseeable future. According to the outlet, the changes to Mega Millions come when fewer people are playing the game due to the low jackpots.

It was speculated that the change was happening due to the fact the interest rates are now falling and the payout a winner would get seems to be declining. Johnston has said that this was not the thought process when it came to the game changes. The official stated that the biggest motivation came from the desire to differentiate Mega Millions from Powerball and attract customers who usually pass on both games.

Johnston states that research has shown that most people are comfortable with spending at least $5 when they buy scratch tickets or chances at the draw games. “You pay 5 bucks for your Starbucks,” Johnston noted. Officials have stated that more details will be available within the coming months.