NEW YORK – Changes in Powerball rules have led to an increase in larger jackpots. As a result, organizers of Mega Millions are planning to implement changes that it hopes will lead to larger jackpots, the Associated Press reports.

Mega Millions will decrease the odds of winning big as well as expand its $1 option game to allow players to increase their secondary prize total to between $1 million and $5 million, a huge increase from the current $250,000.

Other changes include increasing the starting jackpot from $12 million to $15 million, and allowing the jackpot to grow by at least $5 million between drawings when no winner is selected.

The changes will take effect October 22 and were based on consumer research, said Paula Otto, executive director for the Virginia Lottery and lead director for Mega Millions. She said officials decided not to increase ticket prices.

"Certainly we were looking at the fact that changes that Powerball made, primarily by increasing the price point, it definitely favorably impacted the jackpot," Otto said. "It's doing what it's supposed to do, which is helping Powerball have bigger jackpots on a pretty consistent basis."