LOTTERY INFORMATION
The official lottery is your ticket to the thrill of chance anytime, anywhere. Get a chance to win Powerball & Mega Millions jackpots or try fun daily games with more chances of winning.
Playing the lottery is easy! You just pay a small amount – usually $2 or more – and a set of numbers is randomly drawn. If your numbers match those on the lottery ticket, you win some of the money you spent and the state or city government gets the rest.
There are 45 jurisdictions that run their own lotteries, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These lotteries are governed by the laws of each state.
Most lotteries are organized by regional consortiums, which often form multi-state lottery games with larger geographic footprints. This results in larger jackpots than you would find if each jurisdiction operated its own lotteries.
In addition to traditional three-digit and four-digit games, US lotteries also offer five number and six number games. Some lotteries also offer instant tickets, which can be played without a paper ticket.
Some lotteries also offer a special wager type called Just the Jackpot, where you play just for the jackpot at a low cost. This is a great option for players who want to maximize their jackpot wins, but don’t want to risk their other prize amounts.
Winners must claim their prizes within 180 days of the draw date printed on the tickets. If they have won a large amount, they can also choose to visit the Columbia Claims Center for verification. Depending on the value of their winnings, they will be required to submit proof of identity and social security number.