Best North American Lotteries Online

North America is home to some of the biggest and most popular lottery games on the planet.

Fortunately for lotto enthusiasts around the world, it’s never been easier to buy lottery tickets online for big-name lotteries like US Powerball, Mega Millions and Canada Lotto Max.

In this guide to the best North American lotteries online, we’ll explore how the following games work and what they have to offer:

🇺🇸 United States

Many of the lottery games available in the US live up to the American motto “go big or go home”.

They tend to offer mind-boggling jackpots, decent ticket prices and a generous number of prize tiers.

No matter which of the following games you decide to play, one thing is certain: the excitement will be through the roof.

Powerball           

US Powerball is easily one of the most famous lottery games of all time.

It is a national game available in 45 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands. However, Powerball is regularly played all around the world.

Why People Love It

• Record-breaking jackpots (including the world’s biggest jackpot)
• Readily available in the US and online

How to Play Powerball

• Choose five numbers from ball pool of 1 through 69
• Choose one Powerball from ball pool of 1 through 26
• To win the jackpot, match all five numbers plus Powerball
• Must be 18 years of age to buy tickets, except in Nebraska (19) and Arizona, Iowa and Louisiana (21)

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 292,201,338

Overall Odds: 1 in 24

Biggest Jackpot: US $1.586 billion won in January 2016 and split between three ticket holders

Minimum Jackpot: US $40 million

Prize Tiers: 9

Draw Times: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 pm EST

Official Ticket Price: US $2 per line

Mega Millions

Mega Millions is available in 45 states, the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands.

Historically, it has often traded spots with Powerball for the world’s biggest jackpot record.

Why People Love It

• Large rolling jackpots (currently holds record for world’s second highest)
• Readily available in the US and online

How to Play Mega Millions

• Choose five numbers from ball pool of 1 through 70
• Choose one Megaplier number from ball pool of 1 through 25
• Match all five numbers and the Megaplier to win the jackpot
• Must be 18 years old to buy tickets, except in Nebraska (19) and Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana and Mississippi (21)

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 302,575,350

Overall Odds: 1 in 24

Biggest Jackpot: US $1.537 billion in October 2018, won by a single ticket holder   

Minimum Jackpot: US $40 million, plus a minimum additional US $5 million with each rollover

Prize Tiers: 9

Draw Times: Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 pm EST

Official Ticket Price: US $2 per line

Cash4Life

Cash4Life is a fairly new game, launching less than a decade ago on June 16, 2014. While it started out in only New York and New Jersey, it is now available in 10 states.

As the name implies, it pays out for life, making it a game whose prizes are easier to manage responsibly.

Why People Love It

• Top prizes pay out for life
• More chances to win with daily draws

How to Play Cash4Life

• Choose five numbers from ball pool of 1 through 60
• Choose one bonus number from ball pool of 1 through 4
• Match all five numbers and bonus number to win the jackpot
• Must be 18 years old to buy tickets

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 21,846,048

Overall Odds: 1 in 7.76

Biggest Jackpot: Fixed jackpot, so US $1,000 a day for life

Minimum Jackpot: US $1,000 a day for life (or US $7 million cash option)

Prize Tiers: 9

Draw Times: Daily at 9 pm EST

Official Ticket Price: US $2 per line

Lotto America

Lotto America is a relatively cheap game with a rather strange history. Having been cancelled and re-launched a few times since 1988, it is now available in 13 states.

Why People Love It

• Easy to play
• Increase prizes with All Star Bonus add-on game
• Cheap tickets

How to Play Lotto America

• Choose five numbers from ball pool of 1 through 52
• Choose one Star Ball from ball pool of 1 through 10
• Match all five numbers and Star Ball to win the jackpot
• Must be 18 years old to buy tickets, except in Iowa (21)

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 25,989,600

Overall Odds: 1 in 9.6

Biggest Jackpot: US $22.8 million in March 2014

Minimum Jackpot: US $2 million

Prize Tiers: 9

Draw Times: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 pm CST

Official Ticket Price: US $1 per line

California SuperLotto Plus

California SuperLotto Plus is a state lottery that is making a splash on the international stage. Since its launch in 1986, it has raised billions of dollars for public education initiatives.

Why People Love It

• Excellent minimum jackpot
• Rollover jackpots with no cap
• Extra chances to win with SuperLotto Plus 2^nd Chance add-on game
• Cheap tickets

How to Play SuperLotto Plus

• Choose five numbers from ball pool of 1 through 47
• Choose one MEGA number from ball pool of 1 through 27
• Match all five numbers and the MEGA ball to win the jackpot
• Must be 18 years old to play

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 41,416,353

Overall Odds: 1 in 23

Biggest Jackpot: US $193 million won in February 2002

Minimum Jackpot: US $7 million

Prize Tiers: 9

Draw Times: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7:57 pm PST

Official Ticket Price: US $1 per line

Florida Lotto

Florida Lotto has been winning over lotto players since its launch in 1988. It was one of the first draw games offered by the Florida Lottery organization.

Why People Love It

• More chances to win and bigger prizes with Double Play and Lotto Xtra add-on games
• Good overall odds of winning

How to Play Florida Lotto

• Choose six numbers from a ball pool of 1 through 53
• Match all six numbers to win the jackpot
• Must be 18 years old to play

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 22,957,480

Overall Odds: 1 in 7.61

Biggest Jackpot: US $106.5 million in September 1990

Minimum Jackpot: US $1 million

Prize Tiers: 5

Draw Times: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11:15 pm EST

Official Ticket Price: US $2 per line

New York Lotto

New York Lotto has been one of the most popular state lotteries since its launch in November 1978. Proceeds from ticket sales for the game go toward public education initiatives.

Why People Love It

• Easy and cheap to play
• Rollover jackpots with no cap
• Cheap tickets

How to Play New York Lotto

• Choose six numbers from ball pool of 1 through 59
• Match all six numbers to win the jackpot
• Must be 18 years old to play

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 45,057,474

Overall Odds: 1 in 9

Biggest Jackpot: US $90 million in January 1991

Minimum Jackpot: US $2 million

Prize Tiers: 5

Draw Times: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8:15 pm EST

Official Ticket Price: US $1 per two lines

Lotto Texas

Lotto Texas was the first lottery launched by Texas Lottery in November 1992.

By its first anniversary, it had sold over US $1 billion worth of tickets-a testament to its popularity.

Why People Love It

• Increase odds of winning with Extra! add-on option
• Easy to play online
• Cheap tickets

How to Play Lotto Texas

• Choose six numbers from ball pool of 1 through 54
• Match all six numbers to win the jackpot
• Must be 18 years old to play

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 25,827,165

Overall Odds: 1 in 71

Biggest Jackpot: US $145 million in June 2004

Minimum Jackpot: US $5 million

Prize Tiers: 4

Draw Times: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:12 pm CST

Official Ticket Price: US $1 per line

Texas Cash Five

Texas Cash Five first appeared on the scene on July 29, 2002. With its six-games-per-week structure, it quickly became a staple of many Texan lottery enthusiasts.

Why People Love It

• Six draws per week
• Good odds
• Cheap tickets
• Easy to play

How to Play Texas Cash Five

• Choose five numbers from ball pool of 1 through 35
• Match all five numbers to win the jackpot
• Must be 18 years old to play

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 324,632

Overall Odds: 1 in 7.2

Biggest Jackpot: US $25,000

Minimum Jackpot: US $25,000

Prize Tiers: 4

Draw Times: Mondays through Saturdays at 10:02 pm CST

Official Ticket Price: US $1 per line

Texas Two Step

Texas Two Step was first launched on May 18, 2001. Unlike many lottery games that change their format every few years, Two Step has stayed consistent since the day it began.

Why People Love It

• Respectable prizes
• Decent odds
• Cheap tickets

How to Play Texas Two Step

• Choose four numbers from ball pool of 1 through 35 and one bonus number from the same range
• Match all five numbers to win the jackpot
• Must be 18 years old to play

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 1,832,600

Overall Odds: 1 in 32

Biggest Jackpot: US $2.9 million

Minimum Jackpot: US $200,000

Prize Tiers: 7

Draw Times: Mondays and Thursdays at 10:12 pm CST

Official Ticket Price: US $1 per line

🇨🇦 Canada

Although Canada’s lottery jackpots aren’t nearly as massive as those offered by their American counterparts, they are still fantastic.

And when you consider that their odds are much better AND all prizes are tax-free, there really is a lot to love aboot them.

Canada Lotto Max

Canada Lotto Max is a national game that was introduced in September 2009 as a replacement for Lotto Super 7. It currently holds the Canadian record for biggest jackpots.

Why People Love It

• Large record-breaking jackpots
• Multiple chances to win with additional MaxMillions drawings and regional add-on games
• Tax-free prizes
• Two weekly draws

How to Play Canada Lotto Max

• Choose seven numbers from ball pool of 1 through 50
• Match all seven numbers to win the jackpot
• Must be 18 years old to play

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 33,294,800

Overall Odds: 1 in 7

Biggest Jackpot: CA $70 million

Minimum Jackpot: CA $10 million

Prize Tiers: 10

Draw Times: Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:30 pm EST

Official Ticket Price: CA $5 per three lines

Canada Lotto 6/49

Lotto 6/49 is a national game and is Lotto Max’s main competitor. It has been extremely popular among Canadians since its launch in July 1982.

Why People Love It

• Good jackpot odds and great overall odds
• More chances to win with Guaranteed Prize Draw and regional add-on games
• Tax-free prizes
• Two weekly draws

How to Play Canada Lotto 6/49

• Choose six numbers from ball pool of 1 through 49
• Match all six numbers to win the jackpot
• Must be 18 years old to play

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 13,983,816

Overall Odds: 1 in 6.6

Biggest Jackpot: CA $64 million won by a single ticket holder in October 2015

Minimum Jackpot: CA $5 million

Prize Tiers: 8

Draw Times: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 pm EST

Official Ticket Price: CA $3 per line

Daily Grand is the newest national lottery offering in Canada, launched in October 2016. It has quickly grown in popularity thanks to its top prizes, which are awarded for life.

Why People Love It

• Great overall odds
• Unique prize that pays out for life
• More chances to win with regional add-on games
• Tax-free prizes
• Two weekly draws

How to Play Canada Daily Grand

• Choose five numbers from ball pool of 1 through 49
• Choose one Grand Number from ball pool of 1 through 7
• Match all five numbers and the Grand Number to win the jackpot
• Must be 18 years old to play

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 13,348,188

Overall Odds: 1 in 6.8

Biggest Jackpot: Fixed jackpot, so CA $1,000 a day for life

Minimum Jackpot: CA $1,000 a day for life (or CA $7 million cash option)

Prize Tiers: 9

Draw Times: Mondays and Thursdays at 10:30 pm EST

Official Ticket Price: CA $3 per line

BC49

BC49 is the provincial version of the popular national game Lotto 6/49 and is offered in British Columbia.

It is popular for its bi-weekly draws, fixed jackpot and decent odds. 

Why People Love It

• More chances to win with add-on game
• Easy combination play with national Lotto 649 game
• Cheap ticket price
• Tax-free prizes
• Two weekly draws

How to Play BC49

• Choose six numbers from ball pool of 1 through 49
• Match all six numbers to win jackpot
• Must be 18 years old to play

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 13,983,816

Overall Odds: 1 in 32.3

Biggest Jackpot: Fixed jackpot, so CA $2 million

Minimum Jackpot: CA $2 million

Prize Tiers: 6

Draw Times: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm PST

Official Ticket Price: CA $1 per line

Ontario 49

Like BC49, Ontario 49 is the provincial offering of the national Lotto 6/49 game, but offered in Ontario.

It was launched in October 1997 and has been a popular, cheaper alternative to the national game.

Why People Love It

• More chances to win with add-on game and combination play with national Lotto 649 game
• Great overall odds
• Tax-free prizes
• Two weekly draws

How to Play Ontario 49

• Choose six numbers from ball pool of 1 through 49
• Match all six numbers to win jackpot
• Must be 18 years old to play

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 13,983,816

Overall Odds: 1 in 6.6

Biggest Jackpot: Fixed jackpot, so CA $2 million

Minimum Jackpot: CA $2 million

Prize Tiers: 7

Draw Times: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:30 pm PST

Official Ticket Price: CA $1 per line

🇲🇽 Mexico

Mexico’s lotteries, in terms of jackpots and other prizes, are overall the smallest in North America. However, their jackpots can still be incredible.

Add to that the fact that tickets are much cheaper than anywhere else in North America, and suddenly you’ve got several great reasons to play.

Mexico Melate

Melate is Mexico’s biggest and most popular lottery, serving up solid prizes twice per week.

Since the game’s launch in August 1984, its format has changed several times, but the core gameplay has remained the same.

The add-on games Revancha (Rematch) and Revanchita offer plenty of value and make it even more exciting.

Why People Love It

• Big jackpots
• Cheap tickets
• Two optional bonus games
• Two draws per week

How to Play Mexico Melate

• Choose six numbers from ball pool of 1 through 56
• Match all six numbers to win jackpot
• A bonus number drawn from the same pool affects some of the secondary prize tiers
• Must be 18 years old to play

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 32,468,436

Overall Odds: 1 in 15

Biggest Jackpot: MXN 639.7 million

Minimum Jackpot: MXN 30 million

Prize Tiers: 9

Draw Times: Wednesdays and Sundays at 9:15 pm CST

Official Ticket Price: MXN 15 per line

Mexico Melate Retro

Mexico Melate Retro is what Melate used to be before it changed its format over the years.

Since countless people loved the simplicity and odds of the original Melate lottery, Melate Retro brings back its classic gameplay.

Why People Love It

• Great odds
• Solid prizes
• Cheap tickets
• Two weekly draws

How to Play Mexico Melate Retro

• Choose six numbers from ball pool of 1 through 39
• Match all six numbers to win jackpot
• A bonus ball is also drawn from the same pool, but it only applies to certain secondary prize tiers
• Must be 18 years old to play

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 3,262,623

Overall Odds: Unknown

Biggest Jackpot: MXN 44.7 million

Minimum Jackpot: MXN 5 million

Prize Tiers: 7

Draw Times: Tuesdays and Saturdays at 9:15 pm CST

Official Ticket Price: MXN 10 per line

Mexico Chispazo

Launched in January 1999, Mexico Chispazo has retained its original format for over two decades now.

Though its prizes are on the smaller size, the game’s odds are fantastic. In fact, they are some of the best jackpot odds in the world.

Why People Love It

• Phenomenal odds
• Two daily draws
• Cheap tickets

How to Play Mexico Chispazo

• Choose five numbers from ball pool of 1 through 28
• Match all five numbers to win the jackpot
• Must be 18 years old to play

Jackpot Odds: 1 in 98,280

Overall Odds: 1 in 6

Biggest Jackpot: MXN 200,000

Minimum Jackpot: MXN 10,000

Prize Tiers: 4

Draw Times: Daily at 3:15 pm and 9:15 pm CST

Official Ticket Price: MXN 10 per line