Do you have to be a US citizen to play or win?
No. The Powerball FAQ says: "You do not have to be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident to play Powerball." The Mega Millions FAQ says the same about winning: "You do not need to be a resident or citizen to win."
What does apply is the age limit of the state where you buy. That's 18 in most lottery states, 19 in Nebraska and 21 in Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana and Mississippi. More on who can and can't play is in our guide to lottery age requirements.
Citizenship and immigration status aren't part of the eligibility rules, so tourists, visa holders, green-card holders and undocumented immigrants can all buy tickets and claim what they win.
Can foreigners buy lottery tickets in the USA?
Yes, in person, in a jurisdiction that sells the game. A visitor in New York or Florida can buy a Powerball or Mega Millions ticket at a store in the same way a local does. Powerball is sold by 48 US lotteries: 45 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Buying from abroad over the internet is a different matter. Powerball says states that sell tickets online offer that service only to residents of that jurisdiction, and Mega Millions says online buyers must be physically within the state's borders. Mega Millions also states plainly that its tickets aren't sold outside the United States. Courier services, which buy paper tickets at a store for you, operate only in some states; see our courier app comparison and the guide to playing the US lottery from another country.
There is one new exception for Powerball. Since July 21, 2026 it has been sold in the United Kingdom through the UK National Lottery, run by Allwyn. According to Powerball's announcement, UK players play for the same jackpot but have their own lower-tier prizes, and winning tickets must be redeemed in the jurisdiction where they were sold. A UK ticket is claimed in the UK, not from a US lottery.
Can an undocumented immigrant win the Powerball?
Yes. Neither the national games nor the state lotteries make immigration status a condition of buying or claiming. The practical issues come at the claim stage:
- Identification. Lotteries ask for valid ID before paying larger prizes, and the documents they accept vary by state. Check the claim page of the lottery that sold the ticket.
- A taxpayer ID number. Prizes above the reporting thresholds are reported to the IRS, which requires a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The IRS says resident and nonresident aliens can apply for an ITIN regardless of immigration status. An ITIN is for federal tax purposes only: it doesn't authorize work or change immigration status.
- Publicity. Many states publish winners' names. Someone worried about attention, or about immigration consequences, should look at the state's rules first; see our guide to anonymity by state.
Anyone in this situation should speak to an immigration lawyer and a tax professional before claiming a large prize.
How much tax do non-citizens pay on lottery winnings?
It depends on your tax status: resident alien or nonresident alien, which the IRS decides mainly on green-card status and days spent in the US. Resident aliens are taxed like citizens: 24% federal withholding on lottery winnings over $5,000, with the final bill worked out on a tax return, where rates go up to 37%.
Nonresident aliens are treated differently. The IRS instructions for Form W-2G say gambling winnings paid to a foreign person are generally subject to 30% withholding and are reported on Form 1042-S rather than a W-2G. IRS Publication 519 says the 30% tax applies to the gross proceeds unless a tax treaty exempts them. Some treaties do, so residents of those countries may be able to recover the withholding by filing a US nonresident return. State income tax may also apply. More detail is in lottery taxes for non-residents and immigrants.
What should a non-citizen winner do first?
The same things any winner should do, with more care over the paperwork. Sign nothing yet, keep the ticket safe and the news private, and check the state's claim deadline, which for Powerball and Mega Millions ranges from 90 days to one year. Then get legal and tax advice before you claim, especially on residency status, ITIN application and any treaty relief.
Non-citizen lottery FAQ
Do you have to be a US citizen to win the lottery?
No. Powerball and Mega Millions both say you don't need to be a US citizen or resident to play or win. You only need to meet the minimum age in the state where you buy, which is 18 in most states.
Can an undocumented immigrant win the Powerball?
Yes. Immigration status isn't a condition of buying or claiming. To claim a larger prize you'll need ID the state accepts and an SSN or ITIN for tax reporting; the IRS issues ITINs regardless of immigration status.
Can foreigners buy lottery tickets in the USA?
Yes, in person in a state or territory that sells the game. Online sales are limited to people inside the selling state, and Mega Millions isn't sold outside the US. Powerball has also been sold in the UK since July 21, 2026.
How much tax does a non-US citizen pay on lottery winnings?
A nonresident alien generally has 30% federal tax withheld on the gross prize, unless a tax treaty exempts it. A resident alien, such as a green-card holder, is taxed like a citizen, with 24% withheld on prizes over $5,000.
Sources: powerball.com FAQs and UK launch announcement, megamillions.com FAQs, IRS ITIN page, IRS Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754, IRS Publication 519. General information only, not legal or tax advice.
