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Lotto America FAQs

Your questions about Lotto America are answered right here. All the most common queries about the game are listed below and you can browse through them to find out about the subject you are interested in.

  • Lottery Machine
    Draw Details
  • Stack of Coins
    Prize Details
  • Lottery Ticket
    Playing Lotto America
  • Lottery Winner
    Winning Lotto America
  • Winning Jackpot
    Lotto America Jackpots
Draw Details

When are Lotto America drawings?

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

What is the cut-off time for ticket sales?

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.

When is the next Lotto America drawing?

The next Lotto America draw is set to take place on Saturday, November 23.

Why did Lotto America return after 25 years?

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.

Prize Details

How do I win prizes?

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.

What are the odds of winning?

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.

How do I know if I have won something?

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.

Playing Lotto America

How do I play?

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.

How much does it cost to play?

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

What is the All Star Bonus?

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.

Does it matter what order the numbers are drawn in?

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.

Which states participate in Lotto America?

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.

Can I play if I live in a different state?

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.

Winning Lotto America

How do I claim a prize if I win?

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.

Can I stay anonymous if I win?

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.

Is there an annuity option in Lotto America?

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.

Are Lotto America prizes taxed?

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.

Lotto America Jackpots

What is the minimum jackpot?

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.

What is the biggest jackpot ever?

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.

How much is the current Lotto America jackpot?

The Lotto America jackpot is currently worth $15,670,000. The cash lump sum amount is worth $7,200,000.