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UNO’s Andrew Swift Discusses Odds of Winning Mega Millions Jackpot

  • published: 2025/05/08
  • contact: Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
A person holding a cell phone with the Mega Millions winning numbers displayed. Mega Millions also appears on a TV in the background.

Photo: Shutterstock.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) Andrew Swift, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, was featured in WMTV’s coverage of the Mega Millions lottery’s recent changes. While the odds of winning the jackpot have improved slightly—from 1 in 302.6 million to 1 in 290.5 million—Swift emphasized that the chances remain incredibly low, stating that for most players, the odds are “literally no chance.”

💡 Why it matters: Swift’s expert insights highlight how, despite changes to the game, the odds of winning remain astronomically low, reinforcing the rarity of such wins. The article was syndicated nationally across outlets, including WBAL, WYFF, and WTAE.

🔎 The big picture: Swift’s analysis offers valuable perspective on the mathematical realities behind large lottery jackpots, offering clarity for the many players hoping for a life-changing win.

For more on the odds of winning Mega Millions, read the full article on WMTV.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university, committed to innovating for the public good, advancing social mobility, powering workforce development, and serving as a hub for community engagement. Nearly 15,000 Mavericks choose UNO for its hands-on education experiences, nationally ranked online and graduate programs, military-connected student support, and innovative approaches to supporting lifelong learning. UNO holds the Carnegie Research Activity “R2” designation, securing more than $40 million annually in external research funding and counts its faculty among the world’s most cited scholars. Sixteen Omaha Athletics programs compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Summit League and National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). 

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