While North Dakota may not have any in-state lottery games of its own, there is still a great selection of multi-state and national draw games for players to enjoy. The North Dakota Lottery offers locals and visitors to the Peace Garden State chances to win big every day.
Approved by voters in 2002 and launched in 2004, the ND Lotto has provided much-needed revenues to the State General Fund while offering world-class lottery experiences. In this guide, we’ve explained all you need to know about the games on offer in the state, including their odds and prizes.We’ve also provided an up to date drawing schedule of the five draw games available so that you can always keep track of the latest results and winning numbers. We’ve then explained a number of the lottery laws and the lottery history to better explain why the ND lotto is how it is.
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The North Dakota Lottery Games Available
In most states, there are two different kinds of lottery games available. These usually include both draw games and scratchers, with some being national games and others being in-state games. Unfortunately, North Dakota doesn’t offer in-state games, meaning there are no scratchers on sale in the state.
This means that only larger multi-state or national draw games are available. Regardless, this should be no cause for concern, as these games usually offer massive jackpot prizes. Below, we’ve explained what a draw game entails and the benefits and odds of playing these games.
Draw Games: ND Lottos with Huge Jackpots
In order to play draw games, players must select a certain amount of numbers before a draw date. During the draw, the same amount of numbers are drawn at random, and those who match their numbers to those drawn can win. Jackpots are awarded to those who match every number correctly.
Most draw games tend to offer lower-tier prizes for players who achieve partial number matches to those that are drawn. These tend to have better odds than the jackpot prizes, which in the case of major national draws can be incredibly small. Below, we’ve provided the schedule for all draw games played in North Dakota.
| Game | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powerball | – | – | 9:59 PM | – | – | 9:59 PM | – |
| Mega Millions | – | 10:00 PM | – | – | 10:00 PM | – | – |
| Lotto America | – | – | 10:00 PM | – | – | 10:00 PM | – |
| Lucky for Life | 9:38PM | – | – | 9:38PM | – | – | – |
| 2by2 | 9:30 PM | 9:30 PM | 9:30 PM | 9:30 PM | 9:30 PM | 9:30 PM | 9:30 PM |
| *Times Based on Central Time (GMT-5:00) | |||||||
As the schedule shows, there’s North Dakota lottery winning numbers are drawn every night(depending on the game). Each game is played in a different number of states and offers different jackpots, so be sure to keep reading below to find out what game might be the best for you. We’ve discussed everything from the rules, the price of a ticket, the odds to win the top three prize tiers, and some information about the jackpots.
Powerball: Huge Jackpots Always
As one of the oldest multi-state lottery in the US, it’s likely that you’ve heard of the Powerball. But have you ever played? There’s a reason why players in 45 states flock to the game twice a week, and it’s not just because of the low ticket entry price of $1. Jackpots start at $40 million and progressively build without limit!
To play, choose five numbers between 1 and 69, then one Powerball number between 1 and 26. There are 9 different winning tiers, with the lowest eight being fixed. For an extra $1, players have the chance to add a multiplier to their wins if they are in the lower prize tier.
| 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: The Billion Dollar Prize
The Mega Millions offers a huge progressive jackpot, much like the Powerball, and currently holds the world record for the biggest jackpot ever given away. While the jackpot also starts at $40 million, in 2018 one lucky winner took home a life-changing $1.53 billion.
Of course, the odds of winning this prize are incredibly small, and you will be up against players in 45 states for a chance to win. Tickets cost $2, with a bonus Megaplier also available for an additional $1. As for the rules and the prize-structure, the Mega Millions is quite similar to the Powerball.
| 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 |
Lotto America: A Semi-National Game
For only $1, Lotto America offers players nine ways to win cash. The largest prize is the progressive jackpot, while the others can potentially be multiplied by 2, 3, 4 or 5 times for an extra $1 per play. Considering the jackpot prize starts at $2 million and can grow to be tens of millions of dollars, those jackpot odds are pretty good.
Unlike the Powerball and Mega Millions, Lotto America is only played in 13 states. Games are held twice a week, and jackpots increase by no less than $50,000 after every draw. If you’re a Powerball player, we recommend you always keep your eye on the Lotto America top prize – the odds can become very attractive!
| Matching Numbers | Prize Amount | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 +Star Ball | Jackpot | 1:25,989,600 |
| 5 | $20,000 | 1:2,887,733 |
| 4 + Star Ball | $1,000 | 1:110,594 |
| 4 | $100 | 1:12,288 |
| 3 +Star Ball | $20 | 1:2,404 |
| 3 | $5 | 1:267 |
| 2 +Star Ball | $5 | 1:160 |
| 1 + Star Ball | $2 | 1:29 |
| Star Ball Only | $2 | 1:16.9 |
Lucky for Life: A Life-Changing Prize
Lucky for Life offers a unique prize to its players in the 25 states that it is available in. The second-tier prize offers lucky players $25,000 a year for the rest of their lives if they hit the correct combination, while jackpot winners are awarded $1,000 a day for the rest of their lives, with a 20-year minimum guaranteed.
Games are played by choosing five numbers between 1 and 48 and one Lucky Ball number between 1 and 18. Tickets cost $2 per play, which is a small price to pay for a shot at a lifetime of luxury. Considering the minimum jackpot prize amount is around $7 million, those odds somewhat rival the jackpot odds for Lotto America.
| 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 |
2by2: A Daily Shot at $22,000
2by2 is a daily draw game played in North Dakota, Kansas and Nebraska, and offers players a chance to win $22,000 a day. Tickets cost only $1, and there are a number of prize tiers that make the overall odds of winning something an impressive 1 in 3.59.
On Tuesdays, 2by2 offers a Double Prize Feature for those who purchase a multi-draw 2by2 ticket for each game of the week. This means that all prizes won on Tuesdays are worth double. All you need to do is pick two red numbers from 1 through 26 and two white numbers from 1 through 26.
| Matching Numbers | Prize Amount | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Red Numbers + 2 White Numbers | $22,000 | 1 in 105,625 |
| 2 of Red/White, 1 of White/Red | $100 | 1 in 1,100 | 2 of one colour | $3 | 1 in 37 | 1 of one colour | Free Ticket | 1 in 4 |
Why Is There No North Dakota Scratchers?
As we’ll explain further below, one of the requirements of North Dakota legalizing the lottery was that no in-state games would be created. As scratchers all tend to be created by state lotteries, this has meant that these instant scratch games are not available to North Dakota residents.
Online Lottery Games
As we have mentioned, the exclusion of in-state lottery games has meant that we can’t recommend any, local-only best North Dakota lottery games. Not only does this mean no scratchers, but government-run games like Keno, raffles, bingo and online lotto games like those offered by states such as Michigan.
However, regular players are able to buy lottery tickets online if they create an online account. Through the web portal or the official ND Lotto phone app, members of the Players Club can earn points through their purchases and enter secondary draws to win everything from cash to cars and holidays.
Important Laws Regarding ND Lotteries
If you are not local to North Dakota or frequently travel out of state, please keep in mind that all states have their own laws and regulations around lotteries. For example, while in-state games are banned in North Dakota, neighbor state South Dakota offers both scratchers and unique video lottery terminals.
Additionally, although most states, including North Dakota, only allow players 18 years and over to buy lottery tickets, other states require players to be over the age of 21 years old. Below, we’ve listed ND Lotto law requirements that are frequently different from state to state.
| Legal Age for Lottery Games: | 18+ |
| Tax on Winnings: | 2.9% |
| Anonymity for Winners: | Yes |
| Limit to Claim Win: | 180 Days |
| Online Lottery: | Yes |
The taxation on winnings in North Dakota is relatively small, with only 2.9 percent of winnings above $5,000 taxed by the state. All winners have 180 days to claim draw prizes or else the money will be forfeited to the State General Fund.
North Dakota is one of only six states that allow winners of lottery prizes to remain anonymous in the event they want to hide their privacy. Some winners rightly believe that winning huge prizes can draw unwanted attention, and it seems North Dakota residents frequently use their right to remain anonymous.
Overview of the North Dakota Lotto
The North Dakota Lottery began in 2004 after voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow for a joint multi-state lottery in 2002. The vote passed with a 63 percent majority on the platform that no in-state games were allowed. Once the law was passed, a lottery commission was established to provide recommendations on the lottery’s operations.
While this Commission doesn’t regulate the lottery, it acts as a policy advisor to both the Director of the North Dakota Lottery as well as the Attorney General. This ensures that a fact-based approach to recommending solutions and operation ideas is adopted with the state’s best interest guiding the advice.
| Company: | North Dakota Lottery | Founded: | 2005 |
| Headquarters: | 1050 East Interstate Ave Suite 200 Bismarck, ND 58503-5574 | Social Media: | |
| Website: | www.lottery.nd.gov | Biggest Win: | $3 Million Mega Millions Megaplier Prize |
As the above overview shows, North Dakota players have yet to win any particularly huge jackpots. On one hand, this just comes down to bad luck as well as the lottery’s relatively young age. However, if more in-state games were allowed, this would give players more chances to win as well giving the lottery a larger budget to create special games.
Conclusion
The North Dakota Lottery may not be unique, but it is distinct in allowing most of the best national or multi-state draw games of the American Lottery to be played in the state. A big bonus is that there are major draw games that can be played every night of the week, and tickets can be bought online.
To make sure that you can keep up to date with the latest news, North Dakota winning numbers and schedule changes, be sure to return to this guide regularly. We’ve always got our finger on the pulse of the North Dakota Lottery, so if there are any changes you need to know, you’ll be able to find out about them here.
Common Questions that People Also Ask
To help make sure that you are well-informed before you decide which lottery game to play in North Dakota, we’ve researched some additional common queries and provided accurate answers. We’ve covered everything on the ND Lotto from the mobile options available to how to claim your prize.
Where do the revenues go?
The official website of the North Dakota lottery includes a breakdown of where the revenues go. It stipulates the for each $1 draw game ticket, 51 percent goes to prizes, 24 percent goes to the State General Fund, 11 percent goes to contracted services, 5 percent is set aside for retail commissions, 2 percent funds advertising and marketing, 5 percent funds administrative costs, and the remain 2 percent goes toward gambling prevention and a drug task force.
How do I claim my prize?
This depends on what you’ve won. For prizes $599 and lower, you can claim this at a lottery retailer. For prizes above this, they must be paid by the lottery through the mail or in person. Winners must also fill out a prize claim form and ensure that it is sent to the North Dakota Lottery Headquarters.
Is there a North Dakota Lottery app?
Yes, there is a North Dakota Lottery app. This is available for both Android and iOS devices and is a great way to make sure that you’re up to date with the latest news and offers from the ND Lotto. It’s also the optimum way to access all your Players Club details so that you can conveniently claim all your due player points.
Should I accept jackpots as a lump sum or annuity?
There are benefits to both payment plans. For jackpot prizes for both the Powerball and Mega Millions, you will be offered a choice to receive the money as one payment or over a 30 year period. If you claim it in one lump sum, you will lose almost half of the money to fees and taxes. Through 30 year payments, your winnings will be closer to the advertised jackpot. A lump sum may be beneficial if you need the money immediately for a large investment, but keep in mind that it should only take 15 years or so to receive what you’d take in the one lump sum.
Are there any more taxes that I need to pay on winnings?
Outside of the 2.9 percent state tax on lottery winnings, winners must also pay federal taxes on prizes valued over $5,000. This is a tax of 24 percent, and must be paid by all lottery players in every state across the country, no matter what game is played.