FAQ

Can you claim a prize with family or friends? Why is the cash value of a jackpot about half of what is advertised? Get the answers to these questions and more. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us. We are happy to respond to informational requests.
General Information

Do Lottery proceeds really go to schools?

Yes. All profits – 100% – go to Missouri public education. Annual Lottery proceeds make up approximately 3-4% of the state's funding for public education. You can see a full list of the programs that benefited from Lottery funds in your own community by visiting our Education Map and clicking on your county.

Where can I see where winning tickets were sold?

Our Winner Map shows the selling locations of winning tickets worth $1,000 or more, for both Draw Games and Scratchers. The map covers winning tickets for the previous month.

Can I purchase Lottery tickets online?

No. The Missouri Lottery does not currently offer sales via the Internet.

Can I use my debit or credit card to purchase a Lottery ticket?

Yes. There are no Missouri laws or Lottery policies that prevent the purchase of Lottery products at the counter using debit or credit. The Lottery leaves that up to the discretion of our retail partners. Each retail location is given the freedom to accept (or not accept) debit or credit cards for Lottery purchases, based on their own business goals and guidelines. When in doubt, ask the clerk. In addition, hundreds of Lottery vending machines have been equipped to handle cashless transactions..

If I win a big jackpot prize or an annuitized Scratchers prize and die before I receive it all, where does the remaining money go?

When a winner receiving annuity payments dies, the Missouri Lottery continues to make payments to the winner's estate.

Does the Missouri Lottery offer subscription sales to players?

No. Players can purchase Missouri Lottery tickets from a licensed Missouri Lottery retailer. The Lottery cannot mail tickets across state lines.

Who oversees riverboat gambling and bingo games?

Riverboat gambling and bingo games are NOT a part of the Missouri Lottery. They are governed by the Missouri Gaming Commission.

Who is the "average" Missouri Lottery player?

The average player is a 47.6-year-old caucasian employed female that is a high school graduate with some college education.

Is there a danger of Lottery players becoming compulsive gamblers?

Studies show that about 1 to 5 percent of those who gamble through any means experience problems. For more information, see Responsible Gaming.

How can I become a Missouri Lottery retailer?

Only businesses located within the state of Missouri can be Missouri Lottery retailers. For more information, see the Lottery's Retailer Portal.

Can i add a new test question ?

Yes i can 

Draw Games

Where can I find past winning numbers?

You can find complete lists of past numbers drawn in the Winning Numbers section. More recent winning numbers can also be found on the Lottery's mobile app.

Why is the cash value of a jackpot only about half of what is advertised? Where does the rest of the money go?

The lump-sum payment is approximately half of the advertised amount since the Lottery will be giving you the money it would have invested over 25 years for a Lotto jackpot, or 29 years for a Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot. For more information, see If You Win a Jackpot.

Are the terminals in retail locations and the drawing equipment connected in any way?

No. Each drawing machine is self-contained and independent of any other system. For more information, see Game Security.

Does anyone in Missouri ever win the Powerball jackpot?

Actually, Missouri is quite a lucky state! Out of the 48 lotteries participating in the Powerball game, Missouri ranks second behind Indiana in the number of Powerball jackpot winners.

Can a group of people claim a prize?

Yes. When a group wins, the person who signs the ticket typically designates who will receive a portion of the prize and how much that person should receive. For more information, see If You Win a Jackpot.

When do Draw Games shut down for the drawings?

Tickets cannot be purchased during draw breaks. Draw breaks are as follows:

Pick 3 and Pick 4

        MIDDAY: 12:45 p.m. to 12:59 p.m., daily

        EVENING: 8:59 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., daily
 

        Lotto

        8:59 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday
 

        Show Me Cash

        8:59 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., daily
        2 a.m. to 5 a.m., daily
 

        Powerball

        8:59 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
 

        Mega Millions

        8:59 p.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday and Friday

        Cash4Life

        7:45 p.m. to 8 p.m., daily

Can Powerball, Mega Millions and Cash4Life players redeem their winnings in any member state?

No. Players must redeem their prizes in the same state they bought the tickets. Because there are so many participating lotteries, all tickets and playslips must be identified by the state that sold the ticket so the prize can be claimed and paid properly.

Since so many people play Powerball, Mega Millions and Cash4Life, aren't the chances of winning worse?

No. No matter how many people play these games, the chances of winning never change. The chances are based on the amount of number combinations, not the number of players.

If I buy a Quick Pick ticket, can anyone else buy those numbers using Quick Pick?

Yes. Quick Pick tickets are generated randomly by the terminal at the retailer, and there is no central computer that is controlling ticket generation. The chances of buying a Draw Game ticket with the same numbers as someone else are the same as the chances of winning the jackpot.

If I should win the jackpot/top prize, do I have the option of remaining anonymous to the public and the media?

By law, the Missouri Lottery may not publish names of Lottery winners without prior consent.

What lotteries participate in Powerball?

Powerball is played in Washington D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

NOTE: All Powerball tickets are identified by the state that sold the ticket and must be redeemed in the state where they were purchased.

What lotteries participate in Mega Millions?

Mega Millions is played in Washington D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

NOTE: All Mega Millions tickets are identified by the state that sold the ticket and must be redeemed in the state where they were purchased.

What lotteries participate in Cash4Life?

Cash4Life is currently played in 10 jurisdictions: Missouri, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia.

NOTE: All Cash4Life tickets are identified by the state that sold the ticket and must be redeemed in the state where they were purchased.

Scratchers

Where can I hear about top-prize winners in Scratchers games?

News releases with the selling location of prize winners of $50,000 or more are sent to media throughout the state. To see all winners of $1,000 or more, see our Winners Page each month.

Does anyone know where the winning Scratchers tickets are located?

No. Thanks to strict security measures, no one — including Missouri Lottery employees — knows where winning Scratchers tickets are located. For more information, see Game Security.

Are there fewer Scratchers prizes now?

No. Actually, the chances of winning Scratchers games continue to improve. In the Lottery's early days, the games only paid out 45 percent of sales in prizes, the maximum amount allowed by law at the time. Now Scratchers games pay out an average of about 70 percent of sales in prizes, and an average of approximately 1 in every 4 tickets is a winner.