Illinois Lottery Games
Founded in July 1974, the first Illinois Lottery draw took place the same month.
The Illinois Lottery offers multi-jurisdictional and locally run games, including daily opportunities to win significant sums of money.
Proceeds from the Illinois Lottery go toward the funding of public education, state infrastructure projects and various other special causes.
Powerball
Powerball is a world-famous lottery renowned for its long odds and often lucrative jackpots.
Powerball tickets cost $2.00, with players choosing five numbers between 1 and 69 plus a Powerball number between 1 and 26. Players can choose their numbers manually or go for a Quick Pick. A Power Play option is also available, costing $1.00 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times.
Mega Millions
Mega Millions is another world-renowned lottery that’s even harder to win than Powerball, but with a very similar format.
As with Powerball, tickets cost $2.00.
Players must choose five numbers between 1 and 70 and a Mega Ball number between 1 and 25, with a Quick Pick option also being available for those wishing to play with random selections. Mega Millions has an additional Megaplier option for $1.00 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times.
Lotto
Lotto is a straightforward lottery game with multiple ways to win. Tickets cost $2.00 for entry into three draws using a single set of numbers.
Participants choose six numbers between 1 and 50, or can go for a Quick Pick to play with random selections.
As well as entry into the main Lotto draw, tickets are automatically entered into the Lotto Million 1 and Lotto Million 2 draws, which take place immediately after Lotto. Both Lotto Million games have jackpot-only payouts, with a fixed prize of $1 million.
Players can also add Extra Shot to their ticket for an additional $1.00. A random number from 1 to 25 is added, with this being used to allocate additional secondary prizes for the main Lotto draw.
Lucky Day Lotto
Lucky Day Lotto is a straightforward lottery game, with entry costing just $1.00.
Players choose five numbers from 1 to 45 or can go for a Quick Pick to enter with random selections.
Participants can also play the instant win EZmatch game for a further $1.00, for five random numbers printed on Lucky Day Lotto tickets. Prizes are won if any numbers match, with a top prize of $5,000 available for matching all five.
Pick 4
Pick 4 has multiple entry options, with the stake costing $0.50, $1.00, $2.00, $3.00, $4.00 or $5.00.
Players must choose four numbers from 0 to 9, and because each number is chosen independently, the same number can be chosen repeatedly if desired. Participants then choose whether to bet on matching numbers in the order drawn, in any order, or to split their stake equally between both options.
There is also the option to choose a Combo entry, for a ticket with every possible combination of the four player-chosen numbers.
Finally, players can add FIREBALL to their ticket to double their stake. The FIREBALL number is drawn each game and can be used as a replacement number when only a single digit away from winning a prize. However, while FIREBALL improves prize-winning odds, prizes are paid out at a lower value.
Pick 3
Pick 3 has multiple entry options, with the stake costing $0.50, $1.00, $2.00, $3.00, $4.00 or $5.00.
Players must choose three numbers from 0 to 9, and because each number is chosen independently, the same number can be chosen repeatedly if desired. Participants then choose whether to bet on matching their numbers in the order drawn, in any order, or to split their stake equally between both options.
A Combo entry is also available, for a ticket with every possible combination of the three player-chosen numbers.
Finally, players can add FIREBALL to their ticket to double their stake. The FIREBALL number is drawn each game and can be used as a replacement number when only a single digit away from winning a prize. However, while FIREBALL improves prize-winning odds, prizes are paid out at a lower value.
Illinois Lottery Game Schedule
The table below provides an overview of the schedule for each Illinois lottery game.
| Lottery Game | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Millions | 22:00 | 22:00 | |||||
| Powerball | 22:00 | 22:00 | 22:00 | ||||
| Lotto | 21:22 | 21:22 | 21:22 | ||||
| Lucky Day Lotto | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 |
| Pick 4 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 |
| Pick 3 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 | 12:40 21:22 |
Illinois Lottery Odds and Jackpots
Although Pick 3 has the best odds, the most lucrative jackpots can be obtained through Mega Millions, Powerball and Lotto.
| Lottery Game | Winning Odds | Minimum Jackpot |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Millions | 1 in 302,575,350 | $40 million |
| Powerball | 1 in 292,201,338 | $40 million |
| Lotto | 1 in 15,890,700 | $2 million |
| Lucky Day Lotto | 1 in 1,221,759 | $100,000 |
| Pick 4 | 1 in 10,000 | $2,500 |
| Pick 3 | 1 in 1,000 | $250 |
Illinois Lottery Advance Play Options
All Illinois Lottery games have Advance Play options, with the number of draws that can be entered at once being highlighted in the table below.
| Lottery Game | No. of Advance Draws Players Can Enter |
|---|---|
| Pick 3 | Up to 6 |
| Pick 4 | Up to 6 |
| Lucky Day Lotto | Up to 8 |
| Mega Millions | Up to 8 |
| Powerball | Up to 12 |
| Lotto | Up to 12 |
Illinois Lottery Scratch-Offs
Known as Instant Games in Illinois, scratch-offs can pay out numerous cash prizes, while jackpots are typically proportional to the cost of the scratch-off itself.
Illinois Lottery scratch-offs range inprice from $1.00 to $30, with jackpots ranging from $500 to $5 million!
Lower-priced games typically have winning odds of around 1 in 4, with the more lucrative games having winning odds of around 1 in 3.
Scratch Games are removed from sale as soon as all jackpots have been claimed, with players then having a further 12 months to claim prizes.
Detailed information about scratch-offs, prize tiers, payouts and odds is available on the official Illinois Lottery website .
Illinois Lottery Tax Information
The tables below highlight taxes payable on Illinois Lottery prizes.
Illinois Lottery Taxes for U.S. citizens and residents amount to 4.95% on prizes between $1,000 and $4,999, as detailed below.
| Prize Value | Tax | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Between $1,000 and $4,999 | State Taxes | 4.95% |
Illinois Lottery Taxes for U.S. citizens and residents amount to 28.95% on prizes exceeding $5,000, as detailed below.
| Prize Value | Tax | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Over $5,000 | State Taxes | 4.95% |
| Federal Taxes | 24% |
Illinois Lottery Taxes for non-U.S. citizens or non-residents amount to 30% on prizes between $600 and $999, as detailed below.
| Prize Value | Tax | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Between $600 and $999 | Federal Taxes | 30% |
Illinois Lottery Taxes for non-U.S. citizens or non-residents amount to 34.95% on all prizes exceeding $1,000, as detailed below.
| Prize Value | Tax | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Over $1,000 | State Taxes | 4.95% |
| Federal Taxes | 30% |
How to Claim Illinois Lottery Payouts
There are multiple ways that winnings can be collected in Illinois.
Prizes of $599 or less can be claimed:
- At Illinois Lottery retailers
- By mail
- By e-claim
Some retailers have policies on how much cash is available to employees and the amount that can be paid out. Players are therefore advised to check if retailers can make payouts before travelling.
For online players, prizes of $599 or less will be paid directly into their online lottery account.
Prizes between $600 and $10,000 can be claimed:
- By appointment at an Illinois Lottery Claims Center or Illinois Lottery Headquarters
- By mail
- By e-claim
Prizes exceeding $10,000 and up to $1 million can be claimed:
- By appointment at an Illinois Lottery Claims Center or Illinois Lottery Headquarters
- By mail
Prizes of over $1 million can only be claimed by calling the Illinois Lottery Claims Department to make arrangements for payment.
All claims for prizes exceeding $600 must include the signed winning lottery ticket, a driver’s license, state ID, social security card and a completed claim form and winner’s questionnaire . Online players who claim prizes of more than $600 do not need to print out their ticket, as all relevant details can be noted on the claim form.
For e-claims, the same documentation is required as mail claims, with players able to scan and upload this documentation via the Illinois Lottery’s secure e-claims portal.
How to Contact the Illinois Lottery
| Operator | Games | Official Website | Main Address | Local Tel. No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Lottery | Powerball Mega Millions Lotto Lucky Day Lotto Pick 3 Pick 4 | https://www.illinoislottery.com/ | P.O. Box 19080, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9912, USA | 1-800-252-1775 |
Which Illinois Lottery scratch-off has the biggest jackpot?
Although the value of the most lucrative Illinois Lottery scratch-offs change on a periodic basis, the biggest jackpot on offer is typically around $5 million.
Can I buy Illinois Lottery tickets online?
Yes, tickets are available from the official Illinois Lottery website as well as from authorized Illinois Lottery retailers.
How much tax is paid on Illinois Lottery winnings?
Taxation on Illinois Lottery winnings depends on player residency and citizenship, as well as on the value of the prize..
For U.S. citizens and residents, 4.95% state tax is levied on all Illinois Lottery prizes between $1,000 and $4,999.
For U.S. citizens and residents, 28.95% tax is levied on all Illinois Lottery prizes over $5,000, of which 4.95% is state tax and 24% is federal tax.
Non-U.S. citizens or non-residents pay 30% federal tax on all prizes between $600 and $999.
Non-U.S. citizens or non-residents pay 34.95% tax on all prizes over $1,000, of which 4.95% is state tax and 30% is federal tax.
How do Illinois Lottery winners get paid?
Some Illinois lottery games pay in regular instalments or lump sums, while others pay out lump sums only.
How long does it take to receive Illinois Lottery winnings?
All prizes of under $600 from tickets purchased online are paid immediately into respective online lottery accounts.
All prizes claimed in person at authorized retailers, Lottery Claims Centers or the Illinois Lottery’s Central Lottery Office, are typically paid out on the same day.
All prizes claimed by mail will be processed in the order received. Although the Illinois Lottery does not establish a specific timeline for payouts, players can expect to wait up to a month to receive winnings.
