Powerball vs. Mega Millions: Which Game Has Better Odds of Winning?

When it comes to lottery games in the U.S., two giants dominate the landscape: Powerball and Mega Millions. Both games regularly offer jackpots worth hundreds of millions of dollars, making them immensely popular. However, there are differences in their odds of winning, which may influence a player’s choice. So, which game gives you a better chance at striking it rich: Powerball or Mega Millions? What are the odds of Powerball vs Mega Millions?

Odds of Powerball vs Mega Millions

Odds of Winning Powerball

Powerball is known for its massive jackpots, but the odds of winning the grand prize are long. To win the jackpot, you need to match five numbers from 1 to 69, plus the Powerball number from a separate pool of 1 to 26. The odds of hitting the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. However, Powerball offers nine different ways to win, with smaller prizes being much more accessible.

For instance, matching just the Powerball number gives you a 1 in 38 chance of winning a $4 prize. Meanwhile, matching five numbers (without the Powerball) wins you a cool $1 million, with odds of about 1 in 11.7 million.

Odds of Winning Mega Millions

Mega Millions has similar nine prize levels, but its odds are slightly different. To win the jackpot, players must match five numbers from 1 to 70, plus a Mega Ball number from a separate pool of 1 to 25. The odds of hitting the Mega Millions jackpot are even longer at 1 in 302.6 million.

Like Powerball, Mega Millions also offers a $1 million prize for matching five numbers without the Mega Ball. The odds of winning this prize are slightly worse than Powerball’s, at 1 in 12.6 million. Additionally, the smallest prize for matching just the Mega Ball is $2, with odds of 1 in 37.

Which Game Has Better Odds?

While both games offer staggeringly long odds for the jackpot, Powerball has a slight advantage in terms of overall odds. Powerball’s odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9, while Mega Millions offers 1 in 24 overall odds. The chances of winning the jackpot, however, are marginally better in Powerball at 1 in 292.2 million, compared to Mega Millions’ 1 in 302.6 million.

If your primary goal is to win the massive jackpot, Powerball edges out Mega Millions ever so slightly. But in the grand scheme, both games offer extremely low odds for the top prize. Therefore, if you’re simply looking to enjoy the thrill of playing, either game can be a good choice.

And hey, with TuLotero, you’re always in the game—whether you’re lounging at home, on the go, or dreaming up your next vacation when that jackpot hits!

Now that you know the odds of Powerball vs Mega Millions, go ahead, pick your lucky numbers, and who knows? Maybe next time we’ll be writing about you as the newest jackpot winner. 

Keep playing, keep dreaming, and good luck!