There are many fantastic places to enjoy lottery in the United States, and the Kentucky Lottery organization is one of the leaders in the national effort to expand the capabilities of this type of gambling. There are many different types of games available to be played in Kentucky, from low-stakes scratchers to the large multi-million jackpots, this state covers it all. Throughout the course of this article, we’ll be investigating the ins and outs of lottery gaming in Kentucky and bring you the most up-to-date information from the state to guide your decision making.
As with the majority of lottery games played throughout the United States, there is a responsible spending element attached to the organization. The proceeds generated from the Kentucky gambling lottery games are funneled into community efforts, school budgets, and other charitable causes. Since its creation in the late ’80s, the Kentucky Lottery has generated over $3.5bn in funding for the state of Kentucky. We will unpack all of this and more in the following sections, so keep reading for the complete overview below! For the very latest information regarding Jackpot amounts and Kentucky lottery winning numbers, check back regularly.
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The Various Kentucky Lottery Games are Available
The incredible depth and variety of games available in the Kentucky Lottery game repertoire is a testament to their welcoming attitude to gaming and leisure. Within this territory you’ll have an abundance of choices when it comes to gambling., from draw games to instant wins and pull games, this state has it all. Throughout the following sections, we’re going to take a closer look at the exact fundamentals that drive lottery gambling in this state.
Draw Games: Kentucky Lotto with Huge Jackpots
Draw games are the beating heart of any state lottery and the main force of attraction for new players. When deciding upon which draw game you want to participate in, it is important to gather as much information as possible. A few pre-requisites that you must prepare before would be the draw times, the jackpot, and the ticket price. By using these simple metrics you can quickly determine the inherent value of a lottery game compared against the competition. Below we have detailed some of the best Kentucky lottery games along with their schedule.
Game | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Powerball | – | – | 10:00 PM | – | – | 10:00 PM | – |
Mega Millions | – | 11:00 PM | – | – | 11:00 PM | – | – |
Kentucky Ca$hBall | 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
Kentucky 5 Card | 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
*Times Based on Central Time (GMT-6:00) |
The various lottery games available to residents of Kentucky goes far beyond those detailed in the table above. With over 10 different draw games to choose from and an abundance of instant win scratch cards available at every moment of the day, this state has truly embraced the spirit of lottery gambling. Moreover, in the spirit of the times, Kentucky has become one of the few states to offer a high-quality and integrated online lottery ticket purchasing application. In the following sections, we’ll explain each of the top games in more detail, and discuss many additional elements of the Kentucky lottery gambling package.
Powerball: A Brief Look
One of the biggest lottery games in the entire world is, in fact, the Powerball. This famous draw game has been a major part of US gambling culture since its inception in the late ’80s, and since then, this wonderful lottery game has made many lucky participants incredibly rich. The largest of such moments was in 2016 when three lucky ticket holders from Florida, Tennessee, and California split a humungous pot of $1.5bn dollars. This astronomical prize is not unusual in the Powerball, and residents of Kentucky are among the 40+ states to offer this massive lottery draw to their citizens.
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 |
Mega Millions: How to Play in KY
Bringing another inter-state lottery game to Kentucky is the Mega Millions lottery draw. In a very similar fashion to Powerball, the Mega Millions lottery game gives players the opportunity to win enormous sums of cash, with jackpots regularly exceeding the $100m threshold. Tickets for this draw can be purchased relatively cheaply, and you won’t need to worry about becoming overly exposed when playing the Mega Millions. Simply select five numbers from the number pool, and your mega ball selection, then waits for the draw. If you manage to match all five numbers and the mega ball then you’re a jackpot winner.
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 | $2 | 1:37 |
Kentucky Ca$hBall Rules and Prize Amounts
Looking inwards now and it is worth mentioning the Kentucky Ca$hBall lotto game, this wonderful draw-based lottery offers punters the chance to win $225,000 in a relatively low odds and low stake styled game. Available to play on Tuesday and Friday each week, this game happens to be one of the most popular amongst Kentucky lottery players when they choose to back a game that is based in-state. With a loyal following and vast support from Kentucky Lottery central management, we fully expect this game to play an important role in future of mobile play and wider availability.
Matching Numbers | Prize Amount | Odds |
---|---|---|
4 out of 4 + Cash Ball | $225,000 | 1:1,309,000 |
4 out of 4 | $2,250 | 1:54,542 |
3 out of 4 + Cash Ball | $225 | 1:10,556 |
3 out of 4 | $50 | 1:440 |
2 out of 4 + Cash Ball | $25 | 1:469 |
2 out of 4 | $1 | 1:20 |
1 out of 4 + Cash Ball | $5 | 1:73 |
Cash Ball | Free Play | 1:42 |
Kentucky 5 Card
Another in-state lottery game that has captured the hearts of Kentucky residents is the Kentucky 5 Card game. This draw-based lottery is as simple as it is popular, with no additional bonus balls or special conditions to be fulfilled, players are required to match cards with the drawn five cards in a poker themed lottery that is an interesting take on the classic game. A typical jackpot prize for this lotto is $100,000, giving players an enormous range of potential prize amounts at relatively short odds. Given the conditions aforementioned, this is an excellent value game with a very fun alternative element to it.
Matching Numbers | Prize Amount | Odds |
---|---|---|
5 of 5 | $100,000 | 1:2,598,960 |
4 of 5 | $500 | 1:11,059 |
3 of 5 | $25 | 1:240 |
2 of 5 | $3 | 1:16 |
The Best Kentucky Scratchers: Lottery Scratchers with Best Odds
One of the main drivers of revenue for the Kentucky Lottery group is the popularity of their scratch cards. The vast catalog of gambling options on these instant win games is enough to keep even the most frequent of players satisfied. You can play at many venues across the state, the best scratchers listed below are usually sold at gas stations, grocery stores, and other participating sites. If you’re new to the scratch card world, then the list below is not a bad place to start.
- $200,000 CASH (Odds: 1 out of 3.46)
- Bonus Cash Doubler (Odds: 1 out of 4.92)
- 24K (Odds: 1 out of 4.60)
- Silver Dollars (Odds: 1 out of 4.79)
- Gold Rush (Odds: 1 out of 2.60)
Each of the five games listed above offers players an excellent return on their ticket purchase costs. With relatively low odds across the board, and with the ticket price being just a couple of dollars in most cases, value is certainly higher in these instant win games compared to draw lotteries. On the flip side, with these types of gambling games, you will not win anywhere close to the jackpot prize of a well-funded lottery like Powerball or Mega Millions.
Online Lottery in Kentucky
The state of Kentucky is home to a huge variety of lotto games, with active participation in large national multi-state favorites Powerball and Lotto America, Kentucky residents have access to one of the largest lottery prize pools in the world. Equally, there is a healthy range of locally run state games, each of which provides responsible funding towards charitable schemes including schooling, health foundations, and community support groups.
You can support the local charities in Kentucky directly by choosing to play one of the state-run lottery games. It is really simple to get involved, with a massive abundance of choice there is really no bad place to start, but for the ultimate home-grown lottery experience, the Kentucky Ca$hBall would be our top recommendation.
Kentucky has an active online lottery platform, one of the only states in the country to do so. This amazing platform allows punters quick access to many lottery games. Tickets can be purchased through the Kentucky lotto app, and draw results can be quickly checked to see if you’ve won!
Important Laws Regarding KY Lotto
Understanding the rules and regulations of any gambling entity before depositing your money is an essential pre-requisite that must be undertaken. The KY lotto has been in operation since the 1980s, and with such a deep and well-established history they’ve managed to develop a clear and concise set of rules. Essentially, the only thing that could disrupt you in your attempts to play this game is age, so make sure that you’re over the age of 18 years when buying a lottery ticket or scratch card in Kentucky.
Legal Age for Lottery Games: | 18+ |
Tax on Winnings: | 6.00% |
Anonymity for Winners: | Yes |
Limit to Claim Win: | 6 Months |
Online Lottery: | Yes |
Other essential points of information worth noting before buying a ticket are understanding the total tax liability associated with winnings. In the United States, a federal tax rate is applied to all lottery winnings, it is to the tune of 25%. But that’s not all, the state of Kentucky also takes a share of the spoils, and they charge 6%. You can do some simple calculations to work out the net value after-tax deductions that you’ll be receiving if you make a jackpot win on the lottery. Also, in the state of Kentucky anonymity is granted to those winners who would prefer their names not to become public information.
Overview of the Kentucky State Lotto
The Kentucky Lottery upon its launch in November 1988 caused a wave of excitement across the state, residents had been calling for it since the first states began launching lotteries in 1985. The revenue from ticket sales proved just how high that demand truly was, and within one year of its launch they were raking in over $80m in ticket sales across their range of lottery games. In order to stoke further interest in the lottery franchise, the game makers developed a series of innovative and unique state-run games and scratch cards. Also, when the time came, Kentucky Lottery opened up its market to national lotteries such as Lotto America – these actions helped solidify a new fanbase.
Company: | Government of Kentucky | Founded: | 1 November 1988 |
Headquarters: | Louisville, KY | Social Media: | |
Website: | https://www.kylottery.com/ | Biggest Win: | $129 million |
The story does not end here though. The Kentucky Lottery continues to do amazing work in the local communities, with many charities based in the state completely reliant upon the funding it generates. It is a well-known and adored fact that thanks to the socially-responsible fundraising the lottery enables, many community support initiatives are on a much better financial footing and are able to carry out lifechanging and vital work on behalf of Kentucky residents.
Conclusion of KY Lotto
To conclude, the state of Kentucky is one of the very best in the United States when it comes to lottos. The state has a well-curated list of gambling options that is capable of attracting all types of players; from the national draw games with huge jackpots, and a huge catalog of instant win scratchers, the variety of options is testament to the quality of this organization. Head over back to the home page to learn more about the lottery in the United States.
Common Questions that People Also Ask
If you require further clarification on some of the points raised in this article, don’t hesitate to contact us through the website. You can also look below at our most frequently asked questions, you may just find the answer you’re looking for!
How are odds for scratch cards determined?
The total odds attributed to each of the Kentucky scratch cards is a simple calculation. It is the total amount of tickets printed for a game divided by the number of winning tickets printed.
Where can I find a lottery retailer?
In Kentucky, it is easy to find a place to play. With over 3,100 retailers across the state, you can get involved anytime. To find your nearest shop head on over to the Kentucky Lottery website and find a retailer near you.
How long do I have to claim my prize?
In the state of Kentucky, there is a 6-month time limit to claim a winning ticket from a draw game. For scratch cards, you also have 6 months from the games end date to claim your prize.
What happens to unclaimed prize money?
Cash in the unclaimed prize pool goes to the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES). Since Fiscal Year 2003, about $119 million in unclaimed prizes has gone to this store to guarantee the economic stability of the program.