Changes are coming to Mega Millions. Chiefly, Virginians will pay more for an increased ticket price, but can also expect adjustments to prizes, higher starting jackpots and higher winning odds, the Virginia Lottery announced Wednesday.

The new cost of a single-play Mega Millions ticket will rise from $2 per play to $5 per play.

These changes will take effect next week, according to an emailed press release, after the last drawing on the current game April 4. The first drawings under the new system will begin April 8.

It's the second time in the game's history that a price adjustment has been made, and the first since 2017.

Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"We think our players will be excited by a new and improved version the game," said Virginia Lottery Executive Director Khalid Jones in a statement. "Virginia has had nine Mega Millions jackpot wins over the years and hopefully will have more in the future. Of course, as with all our games, the profit from the sale of each ticket goes to support our K-12 public schools."

In Fiscal Year 2024, the Virginia Lottery raised more than $934 million for K-12 education making up approximately 10% of Virginia's total K-12 school budget, the lottery reports.

___

In addition to the increased ticket cost, other changes include: