Powerball vs Mega Millions vs Eurojackpot: Which Has Better Odds?
Powerball, Mega Millions and Eurojackpot are three of the world's biggest jackpot games, but their odds are very different. We compare jackpot odds, overall odds, number formats, draw days and jackpot rules, using the current US$440 million, US$321 million and €106 million jackpots as examples.
This weekend three giant jackpots are on offer: Powerball at US$440 million, Mega Millions at US$321 million and Eurojackpot at €106 million. They look similar on the surface – pick numbers from two pools, match them all to win – but the maths behind them is quite different. Here is a side-by-side comparison.
The Comparison Table
| Powerball | Mega Millions | Eurojackpot | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | 5 from 69 + 1 from 26 | 5 from 70 + 1 from 24 | 5 from 50 + 2 from 12 |
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 292,201,338 | 1 in 290,472,336 | 1 in 139,838,160 |
| Odds of any prize | about 1 in 24.9 | about 1 in 23 | about 1 in 32 |
| Prize tiers | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Draw days | Mon, Wed, Sat | Tue, Fri | Tue, Fri |
| Starting jackpot | US$20 million | US$50 million | €10 million |
| Jackpot cap | None | None | €120 million |
| Current jackpot | US$440 million | US$321 million | €106 million |
Jackpot Odds: Eurojackpot Wins Clearly
With a smaller main-number pool (50 instead of 69 or 70), Eurojackpot offers jackpot odds of 1 in 139,838,160 – about twice as good as either American game. The extra second Euro number adds combinations, but not enough to make up for the smaller main pool.
Powerball vs Mega Millions: Almost a Tie
The two American games are remarkably close. Mega Millions has one more white ball (70) but two fewer gold balls (24), which gives it jackpot odds of 1 in 290,472,336 against Powerball's 1 in 292,201,338. The difference is less than 1%. For the overall chance of winning any prize, Mega Millions is also slightly ahead, at roughly 1 in 23 against 1 in 24.9 for Powerball.
Odds of Winning Any Prize
This is where the ranking changes. Eurojackpot's twelve prize tiers start with relatively small matches, but its overall odds of about 1 in 32 are actually the longest of the three. Both American games return a prize for matching the extra ball alone, which pushes their overall odds closer to 1 in 23–25.
Jackpot Size: Unlimited vs Capped
Odds are only half the story. Powerball and Mega Millions have no cap, which is why they produce billion-dollar prizes – Powerball's record is US$2.04 billion and Mega Millions' is US$1.602 billion. Eurojackpot is capped at €120 million, so its jackpot can never reach those levels, but the cap also means extra money flows into lower prizes once the limit is reached.
What About the Cash Value?
For the two American games, the advertised jackpot is an annuity, and the lump-sum cash value is much lower. This weekend Powerball's US$440 million has a cash value of US$183.1 million, and Mega Millions' US$321 million has a cash value of US$131.1 million – both a little over 40% of the headline figure. Keep this in mind when comparing American jackpots with European ones.
Which Game Suits You?
- You want the best chance at a jackpot: Eurojackpot.
- You want the biggest possible prize: Powerball or Mega Millions.
- You want the most draws per week: Powerball, with three.
- You want a slightly better chance of any prize: Mega Millions.
Odds Comparison FAQ
Which has better odds, Powerball or Mega Millions?
Mega Millions, by a small margin: 1 in 290,472,336 against 1 in 292,201,338 for the jackpot.
Is Eurojackpot easier to win than Powerball?
For the jackpot, yes – roughly twice as easy. For any prize, Powerball's overall odds are better.
Do the odds change when the jackpot grows?
No. The odds depend only on the number format, not on the size of the prize.
Compare the prize tables on the Powerball rules, Mega Millions rules and Eurojackpot rules pages, then choose your lottery on LottoPark.
