For those interested in national and multi-state draw games, three major titles often come to mind: MEGA MILLIONS®, POWERBALL©, and LOTTO AMERICA©. Each offers a distinct format, prize structure, and ways to play – whether you’re purchasing tickets online or through a local West Virginia retailer.
To find which of these draw games is the right fit for your play style, here’s a closer look at what sets each one apart.
Ticket pricing and entry options
As of April 2025, MEGA MILLIONS® tickets are priced at $5 per play, with the Megaplier feature now automatically included. This means there’s no additional cost to multiply non-jackpot prizes up to 10 times—offering enhanced value at every prize tier, whether you play MEGA MILLIONS online or in person.
POWERBALL© tickets are $2 per play, with an optional Power Play feature for an additional $1. Power Play can increase non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times as well, depending on the multiplier drawn.
LOTTO AMERICA© offers a lower entry point, at $1 per play. The All-Star Bonus multiplier can be added for an additional $1, boosting non-jackpot prizes up to five times.
For online play, all three games are available through the West Virginia Lottery’s iPLAY platform, which allows you to purchase tickets, set up Auto-Renewal, and manage entries for up to 26 draws in advance.
Game formats and number pools
Each game utilises a distinct set of number pools, which impacts your overall odds.
- MEGA MILLIONS®: Pick five numbers from 1 to 70, plus one Mega Ball from 1 to 25.
- POWERBALL©: Pick five numbers from 1 to 69, and one Powerball© from 1 to 26.
- LOTTO AMERICA©: Choose five numbers from 1 to 52, and one Star Ball from 1 to 10.
These differences may seem small, but they directly affect prize odds, draw mechanics, and potential jackpot growth.
Jackpot size and growth
Both MEGA MILLIONS® and POWERBALL© are known for their record-breaking jackpots. MEGA MILLIONS® now features faster-growing jackpots and a higher starting jackpot, following its 2025 format update. Jackpots begin at $20 million and increase rapidly when there’s no winner.
POWERBALL© jackpots also start at $20 million, and the game has produced the largest jackpots in U.S. history. Rollovers happen frequently, allowing the prize pool to grow over time.
LOTTO AMERICA© typically features a more modest jackpot—starting around $2 million—but with better odds of winning the top prize compared to MEGA MILLIONS® or POWERBALL©.
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Prize tiers and winning combinations
All three games offer nine prize levels, but the structure and value of those prizes vary.
- MEGA MILLIONS® and POWERBALL© both offer fixed and variable non-jackpot prizes. With the automatic Megaplier in MEGA MILLIONS®, non-jackpot winnings can go as high as $10 million.
- POWERBALL©’s Power Play has the potential to multiply winnings up to $2 million for the second prize tier and boosts smaller prize tiers as well.
- LOTTO AMERICA© has a similar tiered structure, but with generally higher odds of winning across prize levels, despite still being a game of chance.
Draw schedules and frequency
Timing is another key factor when choosing which game to play.
- MEGA MILLIONS® draws take place every Tuesday and Friday.
- POWERBALL© is drawn three times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- LOTTO AMERICA© matches POWERBALL©’s draw schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
If you’re looking for a game you can participate in frequently, POWERBALL© and LOTTO AMERICA© offer more chances each week. MEGA MILLIONS®, however, may be better suited if you’re looking for fewer, larger-scale draws.
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MEGA MILLIONS®, POWERBALL©, and LOTTO AMERICA© are all national or multi-state games operated under strict regulatory oversight to ensure fairness and security. Draw games are entirely chance-based, and while structure and odds can help you choose the game that suits your preferences, a win is never guaranteed.
