First big win under new rules: Michigan player wins $3M Mega Millions

Lady Luck smiled on the Great Lakes State as a Michigan Lottery player claimed a $3 million prize in the revamped Mega Millions game, marking the largest win since the game's significant overhaul.

Michigan player celebrates

The lucky player matched the five white balls with a 3X multiplier in Friday night's drawing to win $3 million: 15-37-38-56-58. The winning ticket was purchased online at the Michigan Lottery website.

Michigan Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli said:

A Michigan Lottery player cashed in on the new Mega Millions game Friday night when they won a $3 million prize with a ticket bought at MichiganLottery.com. The enhanced Mega Millions game will bring players bigger jackpots more often, which will generate sales and have a positive impact on the Lottery's contribution to the School Aid Fund.

Mega Millions makeover

The newly reimagined lottery game gives players better odds of winning the jackpot and improved odds overall, with prizes ranging from $10 to a potential $10 million for non-jackpot wins—a dramatic increase from the previous $2 to $1 million range. Jackpots start higher and grow faster, eliminating break-even prizes entirely. These enhancements accompany a price adjustment from $2 to $5 per play, representing only the second price change in the game's two-decade history.

Each Mega Millions play is now $5 and includes a multiplier that can increase prizes up to 10 times. Mega Millions is available in 45 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with drawings conducted at 11 p.m. ET on Tuesdays and Fridays in Atlanta, Georgia.

Game-changing multipliers boost all prizes

The redesigned game also features automatic multipliers that significantly enhance non-jackpot winnings. These multipliers—ranging from 2X to 10X—have increased payouts across all prize tiers. Recent drawing results show winners receiving double or triple their previous potential winnings, with even the lowest tier seeing nearly eight times more prize money distributed compared to the old system.

The verdict on the new Mega Millions

While the price increase to $5 might give some players pause, the new Mega Millions structure is showing bigger prizes across the board. This Michigan winner's $3 million payday—triple what they would have won under the old rules—demonstrates the game's enhanced potential. For players seeking wins without needing to hit the jackpot, the revamped Mega Millions might just be worth the extra investment. The built-in multipliers have transformed the game from a jackpot-focused lottery to one where secondary prizes can also create millionaires.