Lotto America FAQs

Question 1

When are Lotto America drawings?

Answer

Drawing days for Lotto America are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Draws are held at 10:15pm Eastern Time.

Question 2

What is the cut-off time for ticket sales?

Answer

The deadline for buying tickets varies from state to state, but typically it is one to two hours before the draw time. Head over to the Participating States page to find out the cut off time in your state.

Question 3

When is the next Lotto America drawing?

Answer

The next Lotto America draw is set to take place on Saturday, December 21.

Question 4

Why did Lotto America return after 25 years?

Answer

When a new multi-state lottery was being considered by organizers following the decision to axe Hot Lotto, 'there was one name that kept coming up' according to Iowa Lottery CEO Terry Rich. It was therefore decided to 'go vintage', with a comeback for Lotto America and new features introduced.

Question 5

How do I win prizes?

Answer

To win the jackpot, all six of your numbers must be the same as the winning numbers that are drawn. There are also eight other ways to win if you match fewer numbers.

Question 6

What are the odds of winning?

Answer

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 25,989,600. The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 9.63. Go to the Odds page to find out the chances of winning in each category, plus all the prizes you can win.

Question 7

How do I know if I have won something?

Answer

There are several ways to find out if you are a winner. You can go to a lottery retailer, view the latest numbers, or use the Lotto America Checker.

Question 8

How do I play?

Answer

To play Lotto America, you have to select five main numbers from 1 to 52 and one Star Ball from 1 to 10. You also have to decide whether to add the All Star Bonus to your ticket. Go to the How to Play page for a full step-by-step guide.

Question 9

How much does it cost to play?

Answer

It costs $1 for a single set of Lotto America numbers, or $2 if you add the All Star Bonus.

Question 10

What is the All Star Bonus?

Answer

The All Star Bonus is a multiplier that increases the value of non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4 or 5 times. The multiplier number is randomly selected just before the main drawing.

Question 11

Does it matter what order the numbers are drawn in?

Answer

It does not matter what order the main numbers are drawn in. You just need to remember that one of the main balls cannot be substituted for the Star Ball or vice versa.

Question 12

Which states participate in Lotto America?

Answer

Lotto America tickets are currently sold in the following 15 states - Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Montana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and West Virginia. Head over to the Participating States page for more information.

Question 13

Can I play if I live in a different state?

Answer

You can buy a ticket if you visit one of the participating states, but you'll also have to claim any prizes from the same state if you win. Alternatively, you can take part through online lottery services even if you live in another state or outside the U.S.

Question 14

How do I claim a prize if I win?

Answer

You can claim prizes in a number of ways, depending on how much you have won and where you bought your ticket. These methods include claiming from a retailer, a lottery office, or by mail. Go to the How to Claim page for more information.

Question 15

Can I stay anonymous if I win?

Answer

You can stay anonymous if you win the jackpot in Delaware, Kansas, Mississippi and North Dakota. In other states, you will be required to go public.

Question 16

Is there an annuity option in Lotto America?

Answer

Yes. If you win the jackpot you can decide whether to take the money as a cash lump sum or an annuity. Take a look at the Jackpot Analysis to see the annuity and cash amounts for the current jackpot.

Question 17

Are Lotto America prizes taxed?

Answer

Yes. All prizes above $5,000 are subject to federal tax at a rate of at least 24 percent. You may also be charged at state level, depending on where you are playing.

Question 18

What is the minimum jackpot?

Answer

The starting jackpot for Lotto America is $2 million, although it could potentially be lower if ticket sales are not high enough to support this value.

Question 19

What is the biggest jackpot ever?

Answer

The biggest Lotto America jackpot of all time was $40 million. It was won on April 1, 2023, by a ticket holder from Dubuque County in Iowa. Go to the Biggest Jackpots page to learn about the biggest winners of the game.

Question 20

How much is the current Lotto America jackpot?

Answer

The Lotto America jackpot is currently worth $17,920,000. The cash lump sum amount is worth $8,350,000.