27 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • MAY/JUNE 2025 at every single drawing,” said Johnston. The changes are expected to lead to increased sales for lotteries and more revenue for good causes in local communities around the U.S. COLLABORATING TO REALIZE A SHARED VISION Behind the scenes, scores of lottery employees and supplier staff can now take a moment to step back and appreciate the industry-wide effort that went into bringing the changes to life: From the initial research more than four years ago on a new game construct to the first drawing for the enhanced game on April 8, more than 100 members representing 17 U.S. lotteries successfully carried out workstreams related to the new game’s Governance, Finance, Technology Product & Retail Execution, Sales & Marketing Execution, In-Lane, iLottery, and Public Relations. The launch ultimately encompassed 47 lotteries and many vendor partners, all working collaboratively toward the shared goal. The initial game-change efforts were led by Gretchen Corbin, President and CEO of the Georgia Lottery, during her term as Mega Millions Lead Director. She spearheaded market research to assess player interest in a price-point change and determine which game features would hold the most value for players with minimal impact on other games. She also championed the efforts to develop an inclusive and collaborative project plan and communication process, resulting in the development of subcommittees made up of members from both the Powerball and Mega Millions game groups. In July of 2024, when Gretchen’s term ended, Joshua Johnston succeeded her as Lead Director for the Game Group and the project. “The process of evolving Mega Millions demonstrates how a shared vision can deliver remarkable results that benefit players, lotteries, and retailers,” said Johnston, reflecting on the launch. “Whether designing engaging player materials or creating comprehensive educational kits for retailers and representatives, every detail was carefully planned and executed, ensuring the game’s nationwide rollout was not only smooth but impactful.” Michelle Carney, IGT Vice President of Lottery Marketing, who was chosen to lead project management and game implementation on behalf of the Mega Millions consortium, described the initiative as “an incredible collaboration of stakeholders across the industry. It reflects the passion, creativity, and shared goal of delivering a new Mega Millions experience that excites players and drives growth for lotteries.” RESPONDING TO PLAYER PREFERENCES The new Mega Millions enters the market seven and a half years after its last major game change. The consortium conducted three exploratory studies to test the basis for a $5 game and found that the concept was highly appealing to players. Among the findings, players ranked “the ability to multiply prizes” as the most favorable across all game characteristics tested. They also liked that it was easy to play and simple to understand. “All lotteries think about the diversity of their portfolios,” said Johnston. “The new $5 Mega Millions price point offers players a variety of choices on jackpot games.” THIS ACHIEVEMENT BELONGS TO THE COUNTLESS DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE INDUSTRY – TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST – WHO CONTRIBUTED THEIR INDIVIDUAL TALENTS AND PASSION TO MAKE THE NEW GAME A REALITY.
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