‘Step Down’ Now Underway On Advance Plays In Mega Millions

We gave you a head’s up last month that it was coming, and now a temporary countdown is underway on the number of drawings for which you can buy tickets in advance in Mega Millions®.

As of today, you can buy tickets in the game here in Iowa for up to 9 drawings in advance. (The usual maximum is 10.) After Friday’s drawing, the number will be reduced to 8. With each drawing, the number will continue to be reduced until the new version of the Mega Millions game debuts early next month.

The limit on advance plays is called a “step down” and it’s put in place to ensure that no one mistakenly ends up with an invalid play when the revamp of the game begins.

Once the redesign in Mega Millions debuts on April 5, you’ll again be able to buy tickets in advance for up to 10 drawings in the game.

Please note that the current step down only applies to Mega Millions. You can buy the usual number of advance plays in the other lotto games available in Iowa.

The changes on the way in Mega Millions are designed to allow the game to continue meeting player expectations for play options and big jackpots.

The Step Down Schedule

Here is the Iowa schedule for the step down on advance plays leading into the Mega Millions redesign. The reduction in the number of advance plays you can purchase happens after the Mega Millions drawing on each date.

Drawing Date	Max Number Of Advance Plays Available
February 28	10
March 4	9
March 7	8
March 11	7
March 14	6
March 18	5
March 21	4
March 25	3
March 28	2
April 1	1

When The New Version Of Mega Millions Will Debut

The final drawing in the existing version of Mega Millions will be held on Friday, April 4. Sales in the $5 version of the game begin the next morning, on April 5.

The first drawing in the revamped game will be held on Tuesday, April 8. Drawings in Mega Millions will continue to be held twice a week at 10 p.m. central time on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Comments

[Mary Neubauer]

Drifter, I think you're going to like the changes in that regard. There ARE significant increases in the lower prizes. With the multiplier built into all plays in the redesigned game, there will be no break-even prizes. The minimum prize (for matching the Mega Ball alone) will be $10, twice the purchase price.

[Great Plaines Drifter]

How about doubling or tripling secondary prizes they're currently pathetic.