Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/227694
10A Daily News – Friday, December 13, 2013 Following revamp, Mega Millions hits $400M jackpot DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Outshined by massive jackpots since Powerball doubled the cost of its tickets last year, Mega Millions enacted big changes to inflate its jackpots and lure customers who only play when the pots get huge — and the revamp appears to be working. The Mega Millions jackpot for Friday night's drawing is an estimated $400 million. It is the second-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever, trailing only a $656 million jackpot won in March 2012, and the fifth largest lottery jackpot of Welcome to any kind in U.S. history. Whereas Powerball jackpots started ballooning more quickly after the game increased its ticket price in January 2012 from $1 to $2, Mega Millions operators kept the price of a ticket at $1. But in October, Mega Millions significantly lowered the odds of winning the jackpot, thereby increasing the chances of it rolling over. The current jackpot has rolled over 20 times without a winner. ''The revamp has given us a game that has a better chance of rolling and growing more quickly,'' said Paula Otto, the Virginia Lottery's executive director and Mega Millions' lead director. ''There's some things we can control, there's some things that we can't control. Of the things we can control, those changes seem to be working.'' Scott Byerly, a 47-year-old programmer from the Des Moines suburb of Ankeny, said he frequently plays Mega Millions and Powerball. He purchased tickets for both Thursday morning at a Des Moines convenience store, even though Powerball's jackpot had reset to its base amount of $40 million because Wednesday's drawing for an estimated $122 million jackpot matched winning tickets sold in Nebraska and Massachusetts. ''How do I feel about a $400 million jackpot? The same as I feel about $20 million. I won't win,'' said Byerly. ''I'm buying the tickets to daydream. That entertainment value is worth 2 or 3 bucks.'' Mega Millions, which originally was played in 12 states, expanded its reach alongside Powerball after a 2010 licensing agreement. Both games are now played in 43 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While Mega Millions remains $1 a ticket, five of the six numbers needed for a jackpot win now range from 1 to 75, instead of the previous 1 to 56. The sixth number, which is the gold Mega Millions ball, is now from 1 to 15 in the revamp, instead of 1 to 46. The changes decreased the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot from about 1 in 176 million, which is nearly the odds of winning Powerball's jackpot, to roughly 1 in 259 million. GROWNEY MOTORS (530) 527-1034 1160 MAIN ST., RED BLUFF 0% Financing For 72 Months on Select New Vehicles. Serving the North State Since 1922 Para mas informacion en Español, Llame Alex www.geogrowney.com BUICK We Aim OAC To Please 4X4 4X4 2012 CHEVY 2010 BUICK SILVERADO LT ENCLAVE CX PRIOR RENTAL, LOW MILES FWD, LOCAL TRADE. #100128 #108575 19,995 20,995 2012 KIA SPORTAGE 2WD 2013 CHEVY SILVERADO LT PRIOR RENTAL, 5 PASSENGER. PRIOR RENTAL, BED LINER. $ 2010 CHEVY MALIBU LS PRIOR RENTAL, FWD, 4 CYL. #275021 2007 CHRYSLER 300 C HEMI, LEATHER, LOADED.. #206105 $ #339798 17,995 11,495 2011 BUICK LUCERNE CXL 14,495 2011 GMC TERRAIN SLE $ $ PRIOR RENTAL, LEATHER, LOADED. #141023 LOCAL TRADE, LOW MILES. #383518 18,995 $ 22,995 $ #223867 $ 27,995 2013 CHEVY IMPALA LT PRIOR RENTAL, V6, FWD. #125577 2012 CHEVY SUBURBAN LT PRIOR RENTAL, 4X4 LEATHER. #122803 ALL PRICES PLUS SALES TAX, LICENSE FEES, DOC FEES, ANY FINANCE CHARGE, ANY DEALER PREPARATION CHARGE, ANY EMISSION CHARGE, ANY DOCUMENTATION PREPARATION CHARGE, ANY SMOG FEES AND ANY TIRE FEES. ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE & CREDIT APPROVAL. SALE EXPIRES DEC. 19, 2013 17,495 $ 35,995 $