Metro Detroit residents are fed up with rising lottery ticket prices

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (WXYZ) — Metro Detroit residents are disappointed with the Mega Millions lottery as ticket prices will rise significantly in April 2025.

This is partly due to an overhaul of the lottery game.

The decision has caused mixed feelings among many players as they weigh the potential of larger jackpots against the higher cost of entry.

I've spoken to several people who play the Mega Millions lottery, and when I told them the entry fee would go up from $2 to $5, many said they were ready to throw in the towel.

WXYZ

“This is crazy,” Jerry O’Keefe said. “You’ll never get the money back anyway.”

WXYZ

“I think it’s ridiculous,” said Cheryl Treasvant. “The jackpot is already big enough, and who can afford it?”

WXYZ

“I think… I think it’s ridiculous,” Pat Johnson said.

Lottery players here at Winedock in St. Clair Shores are expressing concern about the April 2025 Mega Millions ticket price increase.

“I have two regular 'Megas' that I play, but I play them online and then I get a simple pick, so that would be three tickets, $6 becomes $15…no,” said Cheryl.

This is the second time in Mega Millions history that the price of a ticket has increased since its inception in 2002. So where does the extra money go other than into the winner's pockets?

WXYZ

Jake Harris of the Michigan State Lottery says this price increase will cause jackpots to grow faster, become larger and increase the odds of winning the jackpot.

“If we're talking about a Mega Millions price increase like that from $2 to $5, that will drive interest and increase sales,” Harris said. “This is good for Michigan schools because it will increase the numbers by the end of the year.”

WXYZ

But sales clerk Alyssa Yono says this could negatively impact ticket sales.

“Some customers asked me about it and were very disappointed and said they would stop playing,” Alyssa said. “We sell a lot, but it will definitely hurt the lottery. They’re not going to sell that much, there’s no way people are going to pay $5 a lot.”

“I don’t think it’s really worth $5,” Pat said. “I’m going to stop playing too much.”

Others say the price increase has no real impact on them since they don't play that much.

WXYZ

“I play occasionally when it’s really big,” Ken Appelt said. “And I really don’t mind that it costs five bucks, what’s the risk?”

WXYZ

“I play occasionally, but like I said, it won’t affect me in the slightest,” Gregory Green said. “I just think it’s going to take more money out of people’s pockets. You can take that three dollars and do something else with it.”

Where your voice counts