Citizens of Arizona rejoice! Here’s what we’ve got instore for you in this exhaustive overview of all the most important info of the Arizona lottery. Lotteries have been held and operated by state-endorsed organizations since 1981 in the Grand Canyon State, and are enjoying a heap of interest and success today, with some familiar faces along with some state specific gems taking up space on the Arizona lottery roster. Read on for all the game types, odds, prizes, and just plain quirks in the AZ lotto, and remember – have fun and be an informed punter!
The Arizona lottery hosts a spectacular and varied selection of games to choose from – when you get that itch there’s always a unique kind of lotto ticket to scratch it. In Arizona you can choose from 6 Draw Games and a host of Scratch Off tickets, along with great instant win Fast Play games. Here on this page you can find all the info surrounding these lottos in the one place. From draw games to scratchers, and rules to schedules, we’ll take you through it. Let’s read on together!
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The Various Arizona Lotteries on Offer
Arizona is definitely not lacking in quality lotteries. As a lot of you punters already know, the majority of lotteries can be divided into Draw games and Scratch Off tickets. There’s those familiar old sights, the big nation-wide lotteries that reliably turn in huge jackpots at great starting payouts. Along with those, there are also a few lotteries that are special to the Copper State and can give a particular edge and flavor to your lottery experience. The next few sections will take you through the distinct game types found in Arizona and some of the best Arizona lottery games we’ve come across.
Draw Games: AZ Lottos with Huge Jackpots
First thing’s first – the big ones. Draw Games are arguably the most popular and prevalent types of lottery out there, and it’s the form everyone knows. There’s a great selection of some really ingenious and fun draw games amongst the Arizona Lottery offerings, so you’ll need to be caught up to speed if you’re not already. Basically, Draw Games are those lotteries where you select an array of numbers from a wider pool, and match your numbers to winning numbers that are drawn at a later time. Huge jackpots are on the line, so these games have some pretty high odds. Drawings happen on a weekly schedule – check these times to see when you can expect to see Arizona lotto results.
Game | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mega Millions | – | 8:00 PM | – | – | 8:00 PM | – | – |
Powerball | – | – | 7:59 PM | – | – | 7:59 PM | – |
The Pick | – | – | 8:00 PM | – | – | 8:00 PM | – |
Pick 3 | 7:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
Fantasy 5 | 8:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 8:00 PM |
Triple Twist | 7:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
*Times Based on MST |
As you can see, there’s not only quite a handful of variety when it comes to Arizona lotto Draw Games, there are so many frequent drawings that you’ll never be waiting too long for your number to be drawn. The great thing about daily draws is the lack of anticipation – the heavy hitting Draws with the biggest jackpots can be so nerve-wracking! Sometimes we prefer when the stakes are a little lower, and the odds are a little better. Whatever your preference, we’ve got you covered. Read on and see the different game types and the odds for yourself.
Mega Millions: The Famous Star
Mega Millions – what is there really to say? You’ve probably heard of it, it’s one of two pseudo-national lotteries in the United States, on offer in all the states that run lotteries. The AZ lotto is no exception. With a big lottery comes big jackpots, with the candy sometimes building up to a $500 million rolling jackpot!. It’s pretty simple, just big – select 5 numbers from 70, with a Megaball 1/25 bonus. Drawings are held on Tuesday and Friday evenings. We’ve broken the odds and prizes down for you below.
Matching Numbers | Prize Amount | Odds |
---|---|---|
5 + Megaball | Jackpot | 1:302,575,350 |
5 | $1 Million | 1:12,607,306 |
4 + Megaball | $10,000 | 1:931,001 |
4 | $500 | 1:38,792 |
3 + Megaball | $200 | 1:14,547 |
3 | $10 | 1:606 |
2 + Megaball | $10 | 1:693 |
1 + Megaball | $4 | 1:89 |
Megaball only | $2 | 1:37 |
Powerball: The Record Breaker
Powerball is the other pseudo-national Draw Game on offer amongst the games of the Arizona Lottery, with the drawings timed nicely as to not clash with Mega Millions, occurring on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Although they’re almost identical in style, structure and odds, Powerball takes the cake in terms of historical payout reputation, with a record jackpot being snagged in 2018 of $1.54 billion! It’s a 5/69 game with a 1/26 ‘Powerball’ bonus, and importantly, an optional $1 Power Play ticket, that can greatly increase your odds of winning. We love better odds, in whatever way we can get them.
Matching Numbers | Prize Amount | Odds |
---|---|---|
5 + Powerball | Jackpot | 1:292,201,338 |
5 | $1 Million | 1:11,688,054 |
4 + Powerball | $50,000 | 1:913,129 |
4 | $100 | 1:36,525 |
3 + Powerball | $100 | 1:14,494 |
3 | $7 | 1:580 |
2 + Powerball | $7 | 1:701 |
1 + Powerball | $4 | 1:92 |
Powerball only | $4 | 1:38 |
The Pick: The Arizona Way
The Pick is Arizona’s own little creation – and its residents are pretty proud of it. It’s a simple yet rewarding game, with $1 getting you a ticket to select a potential 6 winning numbers out of 44. It’s got some decent odds, with the overall probability of winning a cash prize 1 in 39, but the handy Extra bonus game really boosts those odds skywards – for an additional $1 or $2 you have a 1 in 3.8 chance of winning a cash prize of up to $500 instantly! The jackpot grows pretty substantially until someone wins – starting at $1 million.
Matching Numbers | Prize Amount | Odds |
---|---|---|
6 | Jackpot | 1:7,059,052 |
5 | $2,000 | 1:30,961 |
4 | $50 | 1:669 |
3 | $3 | 1:42 |
Pick 3: The Simple Stunner
Pick 3 is another of those simple concepts that have a surprising amount of depth when you take a look at all the ways you can tweak the game to your experience. The odds are pretty clear on this one – you simply choose 3 numbers, and then the way in which those numbers are played against the drawn numbers, which are taken every single evening at 7:00 PM. You can play those numbers for a straight match to win up to $500, or in different ways in order to win. Check out the table below for the full descriptions of the plays.
Matching Numbers | Prize Amount | Odds |
---|---|---|
Straight (Selected numbers match the drawn numbers exactly) | $500 | 1:1,000 |
Box 3-Way (2/3 numbers you select must be the same. Can match in any order) | $160 | 1:333 |
Box 6-Way (All numbers you select must be different. Can match in any order) | $80 | 1:167 |
Straight/Box (Any numbers selected can match exact or any order) | $330/$80 | 1:1,000/1:333 |
Front Pair (First two numbers must match drawn numbers exactly) | $50 | 1:100 |
Back Pair (Last two numbers must match drawn numbers exactly) | $50 | 1:100 |
Fantasy 5: The Classic
Fantasy 5 is another AZ lottery with a daily draw, meaning you can play more and get returns faster! We love the simplicity and the value of this game. Only $1 gets you a ticket, which you can turn into sometimes $1 million if you’re lucky enough to hit the rolling jackpot. Choose 5 numbers from 42 and win from as low as 2 matches. You can also opt in to play Extra – the instant win bonus game that can snag you $500 instantly.
Matching Numbers | Prize Amount | Odds |
---|---|---|
5 | Jackpot | 1:749,398 |
4 | $500 | 1:4,163 |
3 | $5 | 1:119 |
2 | $1 | 1:11 |
Triple Twist: Three in One
Triple Twist is another ripper daily game coming out of the Grand Canyon State. It’s a 6/42 game, where you select 6 numbers, and are allocated an additional 2 extra sets of 6 randomly generated numbers that you can play. So you’ve really got three shots of winning rather than one! You can even increase your odds of winning by buying an extra combination play that combines all three lines to go into play together. Tickets are only $2 and can be picked up from any retailer. Keep an eye on that jackpot, it starts at $200,000 and grows from there.
Matching Numbers | Prize Amount | Odds |
---|---|---|
6 | Jackpot | 1:5,245,786 |
5 | $500 | 1:24,286 |
4 | $10 | 1:555.1 |
3 | $2 | 1:36.7 |
The Best Arizona Scratchers: Lottery Games with Best Odds
Arizona is absolutely bursting with a huge variety of Scratchers to choose from. What are Scratchers? Well, they’re great – they offer instant wins for some pretty decent odds, without as much teeth-chattering anticipation as draw lotteries! Buy a ticket at a local retailer and scratch at the various symbols to reveal instant wins for some pretty decent odds we think. We’ve gone to the trouble to find some of the best. Check them out below with their overall odds (that’s the odds of winning any cash prize from a Scratch lottery ticket.
- Super Mega Crossword (Odds: 1 out of 2.4)
- 100X (Odds: 1 out of 2.49)
- Arizona Millionaire’s Club (Odds: 1 out of 2.6)
- $215 Million Cash Explosion (Odds: 1 out of 3.09)
- $200 Million Cash Explosion (Odds: 1 out of 3.1)
That’s just a taste – there’s a lot more Scratchers with varying odds and prizes at different price points to discover. They start at $1 per ticket, all the way up to $30 for those big paying cards, with top prizes of up to $3.5 million! These more valuable tickets have greater odds of paying out any kind of cash prize, so bear that in mind when checking out the rest. Sometimes a small stake is better for the thrill rather than dropping the big bucks each time you get a ticket. Scratch under the surface and find the right scratcher for you.
Arizona’s Alternative Lotteries
Arizona also offers some alternative ticketed lottos that are a bit of a blend of Draw Games and Scratchers. Fast Plays are instant and often paired with a progressive jackpot, meaning that you could win huge amounts of money instantly just by picking up the right ticket. The jackpots build and build if no one finds the winning ticket. Some of these progressive jackpot Fast Play games are Ca$h Bash, Xtreme Multiplier and Jackpot Party, but the list doesn’t end there at all. There are also some other Fast Play games that have a bit more of a quirk in the gameplay, providing a spin on the tired old format. While not offering as good odds as some Draw Games or Scratchers, Fast Play games are a great distraction for a bit of fun.
Important Laws Regarding AZ Lotteries
While lotteries have been legal in Arizona for a while now, it should stand that it’s always best to stay up to date with the state’s legal quirks when it comes to the lottery. Each state has their own laws and regulations surrounding lotteries, and the AZ lotto is no exception. It has its own lottery age, income tax, etc. Curiously, in Arizona the minimum betting age is 21, but young residents can pick up a <ahref=”/california/”>California Lottery ticket while only being 18 years old. We’ve outlined the most relevant laws out below for your viewing pleasure.
Legal Age for Lottery Games: | 21+ |
Tax on Winnings: | 24% + 4.8% |
Anonymity for Winners: | Yes |
Limit to Claim Win: | 6 Months |
Online Lottery: | No |
As we stated before, the legal minimum age to buy a lottery ticket in Arizona is 21. Across winnings over the entire United States of America, a federal tax of 24% is required to be paid upon receiving the winnings, and states take a tax on top of that, varying from state to state. Arizona’s state tax is 4.8%.
Perhaps most importantly, the AZ lotto protects the identity of winners, meaning that if you win, you won’t attract any kind of undesirable attention from those wanting to part you from your hard earned cash.
History of the Arizona Lotto
The lottery in Arizona has been in operation since 1981. Prior to that, a statewide public initiative was held to determine the fate of lotteries in the state, and clearly passed, permitting lotteries for a period of time. This timeframe has been extended a few times since, and currently lotteries are legal in the Grand Canyon state until 2035! The Arizona lottery benefits a variety of state funds, funneling a necessary source of revenue towards 18 beneficiaries, across arts, education, environmental conservation, health and human services, public safety, economic development, and community enrichment.
Company: | Arizona Lottery | Founded: | 1981 |
Headquarters: | 4740 E University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034 | Social Media: | |
Website: | www.arizonalottery.com | Biggest Win: | $587.5 Million |
The Arizona lottery has been around for a while now, as you can tell, and the lottery has really found its stride. In that time there’s been some really big winnings. In 2012, a Powerball jackpot of $587.5 million was won by two tickets. One belonged to a Missouri couple, while the other was purchased in Phoenix, by a winner who chose to remain anonymous. The winners split the jackpot down the middle, but while the couple was bombarded with press and attention, the Arizona winner quietly accepted their winnings!
Conclusion
There you go, that’s a pretty exhaustive look into the Arizona lottery world. There are some spectacular draw games, both regional and national, on offer in this glorious state. As always there are those reliable Scratchers if you need to scratch that itch, but in the Grand Canyon state, there’s also some pretty nifty Fast Play games to get your head around too. That’s all folks! Remember to come back here and check this page for the new winning numbers, as well as our general American Lottery page for all other states.
Common Questions that People Also Ask
Just in case we didn’t answer all your pressing questions just yet, scroll down below to take a look at some of the more direct common questions we get all the time. There’s never such thing as a silly question, and as always, it’s best to be as informed as possible before selecting those lucky numbers on your game of choice!
Which Arizona Draw lottery has the best odds?
The biggest nation-wide draw lotteries are the most tempting to get stuck in to, as they have the potential to net you that huge jackpot of your dreams. But sometimes we just want a draw lottery that has a more realistic chance of winning, even if that means that the jackpot isn’t that high. Fantasy 5 is our pick for the AZ lotto with the best odds, as you have a 1 in 7 million chance of winning the jackpot, which is relatively small when you compare it to the other heavy hitters.
Which Arizona Scratcher has the best odds?
The scratchers all differ on price points, prizes, and how they are played. This in turn has an effect on their odds. Check out our Scratchers section to scope out the ones we’ve selected for the best odds. At number one is Super Mega Crossword, a scratcher that’s been around for a while now, and has a 1 in 2.4 chance of winning any kind of cash prize on a $25 ticket.
What time is the Arizona lottery drawing?
That depends on what lottery you would like to know the drawing for. All AZ Draw lotteries are drawn in the evenings, at around 7:00 or 8:00 PM. Powerball, Mega Millions, and Arizona’s own The Pick are drawn bi-weekly, while Fantasy 5, Triple Twist and Pick 3 have continuous daily drawings! Having variation in draw times makes playing the lottery in Arizona really engaging and constantly rewarding.
What is the Arizona lottery money used for?
The revenue raised from lotteries is hugely beneficial in providing funds to essential public services. $3.5 million raised from the AZ lottery goes to the Arizona Commerce Authority’s Arizona Competes Fund, going towards the state’s core enterprises, as well as small and rural businesses. Up to $23 million annually goes to the Arizona Department of Transportation, to boost the public transportation programs that help get Arizona citizens from A to B to C and back again
Is there an Arizona lottery app?
Yes, there is an Arizona lotto app! Just search Arizona Lottery on your relevant app store to find it. It’s called AZ Lottery Players Club, and it gives players second chances! Hold on to those non-winning, $1, $2, or $3 draw tickets and Scratchers and enter them into the app for your chance at winning second chance promotions! You can also play a range of Fast Play games and win instantly. So what are you waiting for?