The Ohio Lottery has been in operation since 1973, and provides a wide array of lotto options from national draws, instant scratch cards and local in-state games. Both locals and residents can chase these jackpots as long as they buy tickets within the state, so what are you waiting for?
In this guide, we’ve explored the many different facets of the Buckeye State’s lotto system. We’ve started with a brief introduction of the kinds of lotto games available and what makes them special. We’ve then discussed the draw games you can play and their perks.
With our up-to date drawing times schedules and overview of the history and laws governing the state lottery, you’ll learn all there is that’s worth knowing about the OH lotto. You will also always find details for the most recent Ohio winning numbers for the major lottery games, so be sure to return to our guide if you miss the live draw!
Contents
- The Various Ohio Lottery Games are Available
- Draw Games: OH Lottos with Huge Jackpots
- Mega Millions: The Billion Dollar Win
- Powerball: Jackpot Starts at $40 Million
- Classic Lotto: Jackpot Starts at $1 million
- Lucky for Life: Set for Life
- Rolling Cash 5:
- The Best Ohio Scratchers: Lottery Scratchers with Best Odds
- Unique Ohio Lottery Games
- Draw Games: OH Lottos with Huge Jackpots
- Important Laws Regarding OH Lotteries
- Overview of the Ohio Lotto
- Conclusion
- Common Questions that People Also Ask
- How do I claim my prize?
- What games could I expect from an iLottery?
- Is there a lottery app?
- What is the My Lotto Rewards Program?
- Where do the revenues go?
The Various Ohio Lottery Games are Available
Ohio offers many different lottery game types, with the two most popular being scratchers and draw games. The main difference between both games is that scratch cards are an instant game that can reveal wins right away. Draw games require players to select numbers before a draw deadline.
Ohio players are able to enjoy national draw games such as the Powerball and Mega Millions, as well as smaller local games such as Rolling Cash 5. Below, we’ve explained how draw games work in further detail, the prizes available and the odds of winning.
Draw Games: OH Lottos with Huge Jackpots
Draw games are the most widely enjoyed style of lottery game and sales of these tickets make up the majority of lottery revenues around the country. Major national draws are known for offering huge jackpot prizes, with prizes building beyond $1.5 billion in the past. However, the odds of winning these games are very small.
Most draw games follow a similar format. Participants must select a set of numbers from a lottery retailer either by choice or at random. Later, a draw will take place that will randomly select a set of numbers. The more numbers you match, the larger the prize
| Game | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Millions | – | 11:00 PM | – | – | 11:00 PM | – | – |
| Powerball | – | – | 10:59 PM | – | – | 10:59 PM | – |
| Classic Lotto | 7:05 PM | – | 7:05 PM | – | – | 7:05 PM | – |
| Lucky for Life | 10:35 PM | – | – | 10:35 PM | – | – | – |
| Rolling Cash 5 | 7:05 PM | 7:05 PM | 7:05 PM | 7:05 PM | 7:05 PM | 7:05 PM | 7:05 PM |
| *Times Based on Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | |||||||
As the above schedule shows, draw games take place every night of the week in Ohio. The national draws only take place twice a week and tend to offer larger jackpots, while the in-state games occur more regularly. These games tend to offer smaller prizes, but the odds for winning are generally higher.
To give you a better idea about the different selling points of each of the listed games, we’ve provided details of some of the most popular draws in Ohio. We’ve covered everything from the price of tickets, the game rules and the odds of winning to help you choose the best Ohio lottery games for your budget.
Mega Millions: The Billion Dollar Win
The Mega Millions progressive jackpot prize starts at $40 million and grows with every draw until the prize is claimed. Historically, the Mega Millions has grown to offer gargantuan prizes, with the largest ever single winner of any world lottery taking home a Mega Millions jackpot prize of over $1.5 billion.
To play, select five numbers between 1 and 70, then 1 Mega Ball number between 1 and 25. Tickets cost $2, with a bonus Megaplier ticket available for an additional $1. Of course, the odds for winning are tiny, but when the prize hovers around the $1 billion mark, who could resist?
| Matching Numbers | Prize Amount (most recent) | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 + Megaball | $164,000,000 | 1:302,575,350 |
| 5 | $1,654,256 | 1:12,607,306 |
| 4 + Megaball | $15,209 | 1:931,001 |
| 4 | $552 | 1:38,792 |
| 3 + Megaball | $223 | 1:14,547 |
| 3 | $11 | 1:606 |
| 2 + Megaball | $10 | 1:693 |
| 1 + Megaball | $4 | 1:89 |
| Megaball only | $2 | 1:37 |
Powerball: Jackpot Starts at $40 Million
The Powerball is like the older sibling of the Mega Millions in that it was the first national lottery in the US, and is also a part of the Multi-State Lottery association. Jackpot prizes also start at $40 million, though regular tickets only cost $1.
To play, choose five numbers between 1 and 69, then one Powerball number between 1 and 26. There are 8 different lower prize tiers other than the jackpot that increase from $2 to $1,000,000. There is also a $1 multiplier option available for those lower tiers when the jackpot is below $150 million.
| Matching Numbers | Prize Amount (most recent) | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 + Powerball | $29,000,000 | 1:292,201,338 |
| 5 | $61,095 | 1:11,688,054 |
| 4 + Powerball | $47,374 | 1:913,129 |
| 4 | $601 | 1:36,525 |
| 3 + Powerball | $159 | 1:14,494 |
| 3 | $8 | 1:580 |
| 2 + Powerball | $10 | 1:701 |
| 1 + Powerball | $5 | 1:92 |
| Powerball only | $4 | 1:38 |
Classic Lotto: Jackpot Starts at $1 million
Classic Lotto is an Ohio-only local game that is drawn three times a week. Jackpots start at $1 million and are guaranteed to increase by $100,000 after every draw. In the past, the jackpot has increased to above $13 million, making the odds for winning very attractive.
To participate, tickets cost $1. Players must select 6 numbers out of 49 numbers or have them selected at random. There is also an additional $1 Kicker option which can boost the lower-tier prize wins.
| Matching Numbers | Prize Amount | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 out of 5 | Jackpot | 1 in 13,983,816 |
| 4 out of 5 | $1,500 | 1 in 54,201 |
| 3 out of 5 | $70 | 1 in 1,032 |
| 2 out of 5 | $2 | 1 in 57 |
Lucky for Life: Set for Life
Lucky for Life is a semi-national game that is available to players in 25 states. The jackpot prize awards winners $1,000 a day for the rest of their lives for a minimum of 20 years. The second tier prize is also incredibly generous and guarantees $25,000 a year for the rest of the winner’s lives. It costs $2 per play and games are drawn twice a week.
| Matching Numbers | Prize Amount | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 + Lucky Ball | $1,000 a day for life | 1:30,821,472 |
| 5 | $25,000 a year for life | 1:1,813,028 |
| 4 + Lucky Ball | $5,000 | 1:143,356 |
| 4 | $200 | 1:8,433 |
| 3 + Lucky Ball | $150 | 1:3,413 |
| 3 | $20 | 1:201 |
| 2 + Lucky Ball | $25 | 1:250 |
| 2 | $3 | 1:15 |
| 1 + Lucky Ball | $6 | 1:50 |
| Lucky Ball Only | $4 | 1:32 |
Rolling Cash 5:
Rolling Cash 5 is a daily draw game that requires players to select five numbers between 1 and 39. Jackpots start at $100,000 and continue to build by no less than $10,000 a day until the prize is claimed. In the past this has neared the $1 million mark.
Considering the reasonable odds for the jackpot prize, this would be a great time to enter. A ticket costs $1, and there are no special multiplier ticket options. All prizes are paid in one lump cash payment as opposed to annual installments.
| Matching Numbers | Prize Amount | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 out of 5 | Jackpot | 1 in 575,757 |
| 4 out of 5 | $300 | 1 in 3,387 |
| 3 out of 5 | $10 | 1 in 103 |
| 2 out of 5 | $1 | 1 in 10 |
The Best Ohio Scratchers: Lottery Scratchers with Best Odds
Scratch off games are unique to each state, and Ohio has some particularly interesting scratchers to play. Cards start from $1 and increase in price up until $30. Below, we’ve listed five scratchers that offer great odds to win at varying price ranges that will suit every budget.
- $1 – Cash Explosion (Odds: 1 out of 4.70)
- $5 – Double the Money (Odds: 1 out of 4.14)
- $10 – $1 Million Black Titanium (Odds: 1 out of 3.54)
- $20 – $5 Million Jackpot (Odds: 1 out of 3.06)
- $30 – 40th Anniversary Millions (Odds: 1 out of 2.66)
Generally speaking, the higher the price of the ticket, the better the odds. This is likely because higher price tickets offer more lower prize tiers and are more likely to replace the cost of the overall ticket at the very least.
Unique Ohio Lottery Games
In addition to the above-mentioned games, Ohio also offers a number of special instant and draw games that are unique to the state. A number of these unique titles are EZPLAY games, which are a kind of instant-style draw game. Essentially, these games are played through lottery terminals and each have their own rules.
All the information needed to win is printed out on EZPLAY tickets, so there’s an instantaneous element to gameplay that keeps things fun and exciting. Some of these include progressive jackpots based on pari-mutuel wagers, while others are standalone individual games with preset prize values.
There is also a Keno game available, which is a kind of fast-paced draw game that is played every 4 minutes. Keno requires players to select as 1 to 10 numbers between 0 and 80. Wins occur by matching chosen numbers to the 20 drawn out by the lottery. Wagers are between $1 and $10 per game, with every dollar acting as a multiplier on the prize value.
There are also digital Touch & Win games that are playable at retailers with special Touch & Win Terminals. These interactive games are like a blend of EZPLAY and Keno games, and there are dozens of games to choose from with their own visually appealing graphics and mechanics.
Important Laws Regarding OH Lotteries
Every state in the country has their own laws regarding who can play the lottery and what happens when you win, and Ohio is no different. These laws cover everything from the minimum age requirements to buy tickets and claim prizes and how much tax needs to be paid on wins.
As the below table shows, players must be over 18 years old to buy lottery tickets in Ohio. In the case that players win more than $600 in the lottery, they must notify their tax department, and winnings above $5,000 will incur a state tax of 4 percent.
| Legal Age for Lottery Games: | 18+ |
| Tax on Winnings: | 4% |
| Anonymity for Winners: | Yes |
| Limit to Claim Win: | 180 Days |
| Online Lottery: | Yes |
Ohio is one of only a small number of states that allow winners to remain anonymous if they win jackpot prizes. This is helpful for those wanting to keep news of their sudden wealth private. In the past, some winners have been targeted by criminals for their cash, so this is understandable.
For wins from draw games, winners have 180 days to claim their prizes after a draw, while scratch card winners have 180 days to claim prizes from the end date of scratcher games. While there are no special online only games on the Ohio Lottery website, players are still allowed to buy lottery tickets online.
Overview of the Ohio Lotto
The Ohio Lottery is ruled and regulated by the Ohio Lottery Commission. This Commission was created in 1973 after a long campaign to legalize the games in the state were successful. One year later, the first draw game called Buckeye 300 debuted, and not long after that, scratchers made their debut.
The Commission is fronted by a Director, who reports to the Ohio Governor, and consists of nine members. The initial state laws allowed lottery revenues to go toward the State General Fund, but since 1983 all OH lotto profits go toward education.
| Company: | Ohio Lottery Commission | Founded: | 1973 |
| Headquarters: | 615 W. Superior Ave. Cleveland, OH 44113 | Social Media: | |
| Website: | www.ohiolottery.com | Biggest Win: | $372 million Mega Millions jackpot |
In recent years, the lottery has indicated plans to introduce an iLottery suite of games. This would replicate online games offered by the lotteries of state’s such as Michigan and Pennsylvania, which can include everything from online bingo to slots-like games.
In our opinion, these games represent the future of the lottery and a move to the online sphere will ensure that players keep returning to the games. There is also government legislation looking to introduce mobile sports betting through the lottery, which could be introduced by as early as 2021.
Conclusion
The Ohio Lottery has long been a beloved pastime in the Buckeye State and is set to become one of the most modern systems of the American Lottery. In addition to the great selection of draw games and scratch cards, players will hopefully soon be able to enjoy online games and sports betting too.
With plenty of ongoing games and even more to look out for in the future, we recommend returning to this guide for the latest news on the OH lotto. Consider this page your one stop destination for everything lottery related, including the most recent Ohio Lottery winning numbers to updates to laws and new games.
Common Questions that People Also Ask
Do you still have some questions about how the Ohio lottery works? Below, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions about the OH lotto. We’ve covered everything from how the lotto revenues are used to how you can claim your prizes, so be sure to read as you may find out something important.
How do I claim my prize?
There are different ways to claim prizes depending on how much money you have won. If you win up to $599, you can collect your prize at any lottery retailer in the state. If you win between $600 and $5,000, you will need to take your ticket to a retailer to receive a Pay to Bearer ticket. You will then need to fill out a claim form and take it to your nearest cashing location. If you win more than $5,000, the Ohio Lottery requests you contact your nearest regional office. From here you will be guided through the process of submitting a claim to ensure you meet the state’s legal requirements.
What games could I expect from an iLottery?
In 2019, the Ohio Lottery Commission’s Director announced plans to introduce an online way to enjoy different kinds of lotto games. In states that have already released these games, you can find online versions of everything from Keno, scratchers, bingo and raffles. Each game has a different price, with cash prizes up to and beyond $500,000.
Is there a lottery app?
Yes, there is an Ohio Lottery app. This can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices, and can be used to buy tickets for all major draw games. You can also use the app to check drawing schedules, as well access the many useful features of the My Lotto Rewards Program. One especially nifty features is the Mobile Cashing option, which allows you to scan winning tickets between $50 and $5,000 to begin the payout process.
What is the My Lotto Rewards Program?
The My Lotto Rewards Program is a loyalty scheme that rewards regular lottery players with more chances to win. Participants earn points on non-winning lottery game tickets and scratchers by scanning them through the app or entering ticket details through the web portal. The points can then be used to enter second-chance drawings or to shop through the OH lotto catalog. My Lotto Rewards drawings awards prizes like unique merchandise or holidays. The program is free to join so is definitely worth signing up for if you play the Ohio Lottery often.
Where do the revenues go?
As determined by the Ohio Lottery Commission, all net proceeds go towards funding education programs in the state. Since its creation, the OH lotteries have raised more than $26 billion to fund state education programs. In 2019, $1.15 billion was raised for the Ohio Lottery Profits Education Fund, $2.1 billion was awarded in prizes and $223 million was given to retailers as commission.
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