Lotto America
The Lotto America rule changes take place after the June 13, 2020 drawing; however, the Lotto America Product Group does not anticipate changes to the current $2 million starting jackpot or $50,000 increases at this time.
Lotto America is an American multi-state lottery game that began in 2017. It is operated by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). It takes its name from the original Lotto America, offered from 1988 to 1992. Lotto America was re-launched by 13 state lotteries on November 12, 2017, as a replacement for the scandal-tarred Hot Lotto game; each of the 13 members of Lotto America offered Hot Lotto when it ended on October 28, 2017.
Original Lotto America (1988–1992)[edit]
The original version of Lotto America (stylized as Lotto*America) was a $1-per-play, pick-7-of-40 game, rather than the pick-6 games that had become wildly popular in U.S. lotteries. Matching four numbers won a fixed prize of $5; matching at least five won a parimutuel prize. Matching all seven won the jackpot, whose odds were roughly 1 in 18 million, at the time the longest odds of a U.S. lottery game. The top prize was a 20-year annuity; there was never a cash option, even though a few games did offer one when LA ended.
- The original Lotto.America game was launched in 1988 by the Multi-State Lottery Association. At the time, there were seven participating lotteries: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon, Rhode Island, West Virginia and Washington DC. Nine additional lotteries began selling the Lotto.America game in the years that followed.
- Lotto America is an American multi-state lottery game that began in 2017. It is operated by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). It takes its name from the original Lotto America, offered from 1988 to 1992.
- Drawing Days: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8:59 p.m. Mountain Time.You have until 8:00 p.m. On draw days to purchase your Lotto America tickets. Jackpot: Starts at a guaranteed $2 million and grows each time the jackpot is not won. Multiple Draws: You may play the same set of numbers for up to 24 consecutive drawings. All Star Bonus: For an additional $1 per play, All.
During the middle of its four-year run, LA became a more traditional pick-6-of-54 game; unlike the first version, players got two games for $1. The jackpot odds actually became more favorable at 1 in 13 million per dollar; however, overall odds were much tougher, since four numbers were still needed to win the lowest prize tier. This version was entirely parimutuel.
In some of its jurisdictions, LA was known by a different, 'more local' name. For instance, in Minnesota, LA was called Lotto Minnesota.[1]
Several states joined MUSL during the era of LA. One of them, Maine, decided to leave MUSL when LA ended; Maine did not rejoin MUSL until 2004.
MUSL's rapidly growing population base resulted in the replacement of Lotto America in April 1992 with Powerball.
Original members (1988–1992)[edit]
- Delaware (January 1991)
- District of Columbia §
- Idaho (February 1990)
- Indiana (October 1990)
- Iowa §
- Kansas §
- Kentucky (January 1991)
- Maine (July 1990)
- Minnesota (August 1990)
- Missouri §
- Montana (November 1989)
- Oregon §
- Rhode Island §
- South Dakota (November 1990)
- West Virginia §
- Wisconsin (August 1989)
§ The seven founding members of MUSL, which composed the original lineup for Lotto America. The game began in 1988; dates when other lotteries joined are shown in parentheses.
Except for Maine, the above lotteries were the original lineup for Powerball when it began in April 1992.
2017 revival[edit]
Due to falling sales of Hot Lotto in the wake of the Hot Lotto fraud scandal, the game was discontinued and the final drawing was held on October 28, 2017. As a replacement, a new version of Lotto America became available on November 12, 2017; its first drawing was November 15, 2017. Lotto America is available wherever Hot Lotto was offered at the time of its final drawing, except New Hampshire. Lotto America is drawn on Wednesday and Saturday nights after 11 p.m. ET/10 p.m. CT. For each $1 play, bettors choose five numbers from 1 through 52, and a 'star ball' numbered from 1 through 10, or ask for terminal-generated numbers. For an additional $1 per play, the bettor can add the 'All-Star Bonus' option, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, or 5.[1][2][3][4] The minimum Lotto America jackpot is $2 million; however, the game's initial jackpot was $15 million; the 13 members chose to augment the jackpot with funds from Hot Lotto, whose final jackpot was not won.
While Hot Lotto used a random number generator during most of its run (including the December 2010 drawing whose jackpot was 'won' by Eddie Tipton, a MUSL employee), Lotto America is believed to be drawn in Tallahassee, Florida (even though the Florida Lottery does not offer the game), using physical ball machines and numbered balls; one machine draws the five main numbers while another is used to draw the 'Star Ball'. As of December 2018, none of the actual drawings have been made available to the viewing public; a computer-generated display of the drawings is shown on an unofficial website.[5]
Members[edit]
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maine
- Minnesota
- Montana
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
- Note: these 13 members were among Hot Lotto's membership when it ended on October 28, 2017. New Hampshire, the other Hot Lotto member when the game ended, has put off plans to join Lotto America.
References[edit]
- ^'Hot Lotto to stop selling tickets, North Dakota Lottery says'. Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
- ^'Lotto America coming to South Dakota in November'. Watertown Public Opinion. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
- ^Mercer, Bob. 'Lotto commission adds new game, increases ticket prices'. Rapid City Journal. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
- ^'Lotto.net - Lotto America Draw Schedule'. Lotto.net. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
- ^'Lottery.net How to Play Lotto America'. Lottery.net. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
LOTTO AMERICA® WITH ALL-STAR BONUS MULTIPLIER®
LOTTO AMERICA® is a multi-state lottery game with a minimum estimated annuity jackpot of $2 million per drawing, plus eight set cash prizes up to $20,000
LOTTO AMERICA® costs $1 per game.
LOTTO AMERICA® with All-Star Bonus Multiplier® costs $2 per game.
How to Play LOTTO AMERICA®
- Just pick five numbers and a Star Ball and you could win jackpots starting at $2 million (estimated annuity)
It’s easy to play LOTTO AMERICA®
- Use a playslip to selected five numbers from 1 to 52 and one Star Ball® number from 1 to 10.
- Or ask for a Quick Pick and let the computer randomly select your numbers.
Tn Lotto America
For both LOTTO AMERICA® and All-Star Bonus Multiplier®
- Drawings are every Wednesday and Saturday at 11:00pm. Play up to 9:45 p.m. on drawing days.
- LOTTO AMERICA® tickets cannot be canceled.
Win up to $100,000 with All-Star Bonus Multiplier®
For an additional $1 per game, if you win a set cash prize, you’re guaranteed to multiply that amount with All-Star Bonus Multiplier®!
How to play All-Star Bonus
Lotto America Calculator
Just pay an additional $1 for each LOTTO AMERICA® game you wish to play, and if you win a set cash prize, you’re guaranteed to multiply that amount 2, 3, 4, or 5 times up to $100,000 cash. A multiplier number (2, 3, 4, or 5) is selected at random for each LOTTO AMERICA® drawing. To add All-Star Bonus, simply mark the All-Star Bonus option on your playslip or ask your Retailer to add it to your LOTTO AMERICA® play.
How to play using a Playslip
Lotto America Idaho
- Each playslip has five game panels.
- Using blue or black ink or a pencil, mark five numbers from 1 to 52 in the white grid for your white numbers.
- In the red grid mark one number from 1 to 10 for your blue Star Ball® number.
- Or mark the Quick Pick box if you want to have your selections picked randomly.
- To play All-Star Bonus, simply mark the All-Star Bonus option on your playslip.
- Up to 10 advance draws may be selected
- Check your playslip carefully and give it to your Retailer.
- The computer processes your playslip and issues a ticket. Hold on to your ticket; you’ll need it if you win!