America is home to some of the biggest and most popular lotteries anywhere in the world. Amongst these is the bi-weekly Lotto America draw.
In this guide, we will look at what this game is all about. We will also see how to buy Lotto America tickets online and if it’d be worth your while to get a ticket.
About Lotto America
Lotto America has a very strange past, being started and scrapped over a period of almost 30 years.
The game was first launched in 1988. Four years later, however, the game was scrapped for reasons unknown.
This was until 2002 when the game was relaunched under the name Hot Lotto.
Due to falling ticket sales, this version of the game too was discontinued in early 2017.
Later in November of 2017, the Multi-State Lottery Association, who are the organisers of the draw, decided to give it one more chance.
So, on November 12, the game was relaunched again as Lotto America.
Since then, the game has remained a popular draw for many players in America and around the world.
Lotto America Draws
The game hosts two draws every week on Wednesdays and Saturdays at around 9:15 pm MT.
Results from each draw are posted online as soon as the draw is finished.
How to Play Lotto America
The game uses the popular double-matrix format, with a 5/52 + 1/10 split. This means that it should be familiar to most players that have played any of the bigger international lotteries in the past.
To play, you will need to choose five numbers from a pool ranging from 1 to 52. You will then also need to choose a Star Ball. This ball is drawn from a pool ranging between 1 and 10. Quick pick is available.
To win, you will need to match all five main numbers and the Star Ball.
When playing in America, a single ticket costs just $1. This is just a standard ticket without the great extra offered by the game.
This extra is an add-on called the All Star Bonus. For an additional $1, you can enable this feature on any Lotto America ticket.
The All Star Bonus applies a random multiplier that is chosen before the draw to any winnings you may receive. This means that your prizes could be worth much more. It doesn’t, however, affect the jackpot.
Lotto America Prizes and Odds
There are a total of nine different prize tiers available, including the minimum jackpot of $2 million.
This minimum jackpot is a starting point only and has no limit on how much it can roll over.
The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 25,989,600, which aren’t the greatest considering the minimum jackpot.
However, if you can beat them, you will receive a life-changing amount of cash.
One of the best things about the pay table is that you can win by matching just the Star Ball. While you will only win what your ticket cost, it still makes it worthwhile to buy a lottery ticket.
The nine different prize tiers are outlined below:
Numbers Matched | Odds of Winning | Prize (Estimated) |
5 of 5 + Star Ball | 1 in 25,989,600 | Jackpot (minimum $2 million) |
5 of 5 | 1 in 2,887,733 | $20,000 |
4 of 5 + Star Ball | 1 in 110,594 | $1,000 |
4 of 5 | 1 in 12,288 | $100 |
3 of 5 + Star Ball | 1 in 2,404 | $20 |
3 of 5 | 1 in 267 | $5 |
2 of 5 + Star Ball | 1 in 160 | $5 |
1 of 5 + Star Ball | 1 in 29 | $2 |
Star Ball Only | 1 in 17 | $2 |
Claiming Lotto America Prizes
All prizes must be claimed within 180 days from the date of the draw.
Smaller prizes can be claimed from most authorised retailers. However, according to the official lottery website, it is best to claim all prizes directly from the lottery via mail or from any of the many offices.
One thing to note is that, even though Lotto America is a multi-state lottery, you can only claim your winnings in the state that you purchased your ticket in.
Notable Lotto America Winners
There is not much information on what the biggest jackpot ever paid out by this lottery is.
What we could discover is that in 2018 the jackpot rolled over to $22.8 million.
It appears that this is the biggest the jackpot has grown to since the game was relaunched.
Lotto America-Should You Play?
Lotto America may not have the best odds. There is no point in sugar-coating that fact.
However, one thing that we can say is that this is still a lottery that you should certainly check out.
With a minimum jackpot of $2 million that rolls over indefinitely and a great All Star Bonus add-on, these tickets are worth getting. Especially considering the relatively cheap ticket price.
So, if you are looking for a new lottery to play, this is one that you is well worth looking at closely.
Corrina