There's no single national lottery in the United States. Each state that has a lottery runs its own, and most of them also sell a few big games that are shared across many states. Once that's clear, the rest is fairly simple.
How does the lottery work in the US?
Lotteries are run by 45 states plus Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The five states without one are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah. Each lottery sells its own tickets, holds or takes part in its own drawings and pays its own prizes, under its own state law.
On top of their own games, most lotteries sell multi-state games such as Powerball and Mega Millions, where tickets from many states play for the same jackpot. So a single store visit can get you both kinds: the national games and your state's own draws and scratch-offs.
What kinds of lottery games are there?
Powerball and Mega Millions
These are the two games with the giant jackpots. Powerball costs $2 a play, with an optional $1 Power Play that multiplies smaller prizes, and is drawn Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Eastern. Its jackpot odds are 1 in 292,201,338.
Mega Millions has cost $5 a play since April 2025. Every ticket includes a random 2X to 10X multiplier on non-jackpot prizes, so there's no add-on to buy. It's drawn Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. Eastern, with jackpot odds of 1 in 290,472,336. Our Powerball guide and Powerball vs Mega Millions comparison go into more detail.
Other multi-state games
Several smaller games are shared by groups of states, including Lotto America, 2by2 and Millionaire for Life. Millionaire for Life replaced Lucky for Life and Cash4Life, which held their final drawings on February 21, 2026. Which of these you can play depends on your state.
State draw games
Every lottery state runs its own draw games. Daily digit games like Pick 3 and Pick 4 are drawn once or several times a day, and you can win by matching digits in exact order or, with some bet types, in any order. There are also state lotto and cash games such as Cash 5 and Fantasy 5, with better odds than the national games and smaller jackpots. You can find your state's games and latest results from the Lottery Atlas home page.
Scratch-offs
Scratch-offs are instant tickets: you scratch off the coating and know right away whether you've won. Prices commonly run from $1 to $30 or $50, and a few states sell more expensive tickets. Our guide to how scratch-offs work explains the odds printed on the back.
How do you buy a lottery ticket?
Most people buy at a licensed retailer, such as a gas station, convenience store or supermarket.
- Pick up a play slip for the game you want, or tell the clerk what you'd like.
- Mark your numbers, or ask for a Quick Pick and let the terminal choose.
- Pay, and check that the printed ticket shows the right game and drawing date.
- Sign the back. An unsigned ticket can be claimed by whoever holds it.
- Keep it somewhere safe until you've checked it.
You have to buy before your state's sales cut-off for that drawing, which is usually shortly before draw time but varies by state. See when lottery sales stop. Some states also sell tickets online through their own lottery websites or apps, and in some states third-party courier services can buy tickets for you. Our state-by-state online lottery guide and courier app comparison cover what's allowed where.
Should you use Quick Pick or choose your own numbers?
It makes no difference to your chances. Every combination has the same odds of being drawn, whether a terminal chose it or you did. Choosing your own numbers can matter in one small way: popular picks like birthdays are shared by more players, so if they win, the prize may be split more ways. Our article on Quick Picks vs your own numbers explains, and hot, cold and due numbers covers why past results don't predict the next drawing.
Who can play the lottery?
You have to be of legal age, which is 18 in most states. A few states set it at 19 or 21; see our lottery age requirements by state. You don't have to be a US citizen or resident to buy a ticket or claim a prize; you buy where the ticket is sold. Taxes differ for non-resident aliens, whose US gambling winnings generally face 30% federal withholding. More in can non-citizens win the US lottery.
How do you check if you won?
Compare your ticket with the official winning numbers, which your state lottery publishes on its website. Many lotteries also have ticket checkers in stores or a scan feature in their apps. You can see the latest numbers for every game on Lottery Atlas too, but treat your state lottery as the final word.
Small prizes can usually be cashed at a retailer; larger ones are claimed with the state lottery. Read how to claim a lottery prize before you hand over a big winner, and what to do if you win the lottery if it's a large one.
Lottery prizes are taxable. Under the IRS Form W-2G rules, the lottery withholds 24% federal tax when a prize, minus the ticket price, is more than $5,000. A large prize can push you into the 37% top federal bracket, so the withholding may not cover everything you owe, and most states add their own income tax. Our lottery tax breakdown has the details.
Beginner questions
Is there one national US lottery?
No. Each state with a lottery runs its own. Most also sell multi-state games like Powerball and Mega Millions, where tickets from many states play for the same jackpot.
How much does it cost to play Powerball and Mega Millions?
Powerball is $2 a play, plus $1 if you add Power Play. Mega Millions is $5 a play and includes a random 2X to 10X multiplier on non-jackpot prizes.
What are the odds of winning the lottery jackpot?
The Powerball jackpot odds are 1 in 292,201,338 and Mega Millions' are 1 in 290,472,336. State games like Pick 3 and Pick 4 have far better odds and much smaller prizes.
Do you have to be a US citizen to play the lottery?
No. You need to be of legal age, usually 18, and buy the ticket where it's sold. Non-resident aliens generally have 30% federal tax withheld from winnings.
Is it better to use Quick Pick or choose my own numbers?
Neither improves your odds, because every combination is equally likely. Picking popular numbers like birthdays can mean sharing a prize with more people if those numbers win.
Which states don't have a lottery?
Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah. The other 45 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands all run lotteries.
The lottery is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. If it stops being fun, the National Council on Problem Gambling's helpline is 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).
Sources: Powerball and Mega Millions official game rules; IRS Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754.
