In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide a quick answer to the main question – is there a Mississippi lottery? The short answer is yes, Mississippi does currently have a state lottery. The Mississippi Lottery began selling tickets in November 2019 after years of legislative debate over legalizing a lottery in the state.
When did Mississippi start its lottery?
In 2018, Mississippi legislators passed a bill to create a state lottery, ending decades of debate over the issue. The enabling legislation for the Mississippi Lottery was House Bill 1565, which established the Mississippi Lottery Corporation to oversee lottery operations. Mississippi voters had previously rejected numerous lottery proposals over the years, but the 2018 ballot measure was approved with 58% voting in favor.
The Mississippi Lottery Corporation began sales of scratch-off tickets and draw games in November 2019 after a year spent establishing the lottery infrastructure and operations. Powerball and Mega Millions lottery games also launched in Mississippi in January 2020.
What lottery games are available in Mississippi?
The Mississippi Lottery offers a wide range of lottery products:
Scratch-off tickets
Mississippi sells $1, $2, $3, $5, and $10 scratch-off tickets with varying odds and prize levels. New scratch-off games are introduced regularly. Some current scratch-off games include:
- 100X The Cash
- Bonus Cashword
- CASH PAYDAY
- Gold Rush
- Monopoly Jackpot
Draw games
The Mississippi Lottery offers these nightly draw games:
- Cash 3
- Cash 4
- Mississippi Match 5
Cash 3 and Cash 4 are played twice daily, with a midday and evening drawing. Mississippi Match 5 drawings are held each night. Players can choose numbers or use Quick Pick for randomly selected numbers.
Multi-state jackpot games
The Mississippi Lottery sells tickets for the huge multi-state Powerball and Mega Millions games. Mississippi joined 47 other states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands in offering the games in January 2020.
Some of the largest lottery jackpots in U.S. history have been won playing Powerball and Mega Millions, including:
- $1.586 billion Powerball jackpot (2016)
- $1.537 billion Mega Millions jackpot (2018)
- $768.4 million Powerball jackpot (2019)
Mississippi Lottery Sales and Revenue
In fiscal year 2022 (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022), the Mississippi Lottery generated over $622 million in gross sales:
| Game | Sales |
|---|---|
| Scratch-off tickets | $519.4 million |
| Draw games | $70.3 million |
| Powerball | $26.5 million |
| Mega Millions | $6.2 million |
| Total | $622.4 million |
Scratch-offs accounted for over 80% of Mississippi Lottery sales.
The Mississippi Lottery returned $167.8 million to the state in FY 2022 after prize payouts, retailer commissions, and operational expenses. By law, the first $80 million in net proceeds each year goes to Mississippi’s roads and bridges. Remaining lottery proceeds support public education.
Playing the Mississippi Lottery
The Mississippi Lottery offers several ways to play:
In-person
Lottery tickets can be purchased in-person at over 1,200 licensed retailer locations across the state. Find Mississippi Lottery retailers by searching the retailer locator on the lottery website. Retailers include gas stations, groceries, liquor stores, and more.
Scratch-off tickets can be scanned at Mississippi Lottery retailers to instantly redeem prizes up to $600. Jackpot prizes and prizes over $600 must be claimed at Mississippi Lottery headquarters in Jackson.
Online
For added convenience, players can also purchase Powerball, Mega Millions, and Mississippi Match 5 tickets online at www.mslotteryhome.com. To play online, you must:
- Be physically located in Mississippi
- Be 18 or older
- Create an account and deposit funds
Online play is not allowed for scratch-off games or Cash 3/Cash 4. You must be within state borders to purchase Mississippi Lottery tickets online.
Mobile app
The Mississippi Lottery also offers a free mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The app provides another way to buy Powerball, Mega Millions, and Mississippi Match 5 tickets. You can also scan and check scratch-off tickets, find retailers, and more.
Unclaimed Prizes
For fiscal year 2022, the total value of Mississippi Lottery prizes left unclaimed by players was $4.2 million. Reasons for unclaimed prizes can include losing tickets or not realizing you’ve won on a scratch-off.
The Mississippi Lottery publishes a list of unclaimed prizes over $5,000 on its website. Players have 180 days from the drawing date to claim draw game prizes and 90 days from announced game end dates for scratch-off prizes.
Unclaimed prize money is returned to the state for educational programs after the claiming period expires.
Mississippi Lottery Rules and Odds
The Mississippi Lottery is run with integrity, transparency, and responsibility to players under rules established in state law and lottery regulations. Some key points:
- Must be 18 or older to play
- Tickets cannot be bought on credit
- No playing on electronic credit card cash advance
- Tickets are bearer instruments – sign them to prevent theft
- Prizes up to $600 can be claimed at retailers
- Jackpots and prizes over $600 must be claimed at lottery headquarters in Jackson
- Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots are paid as annuities or lump sum
- Overall odds of winning a prize vary by game – check website for latest odds
The Mississippi Lottery is committed to responsible play and transparency. The lottery website (mslotteryhome.com) provides overall odds of winning, game rules, FAQs,Winner’s Handbook, unclaimed prizes, and more. Support is available 24/7 through the Players Helpline at 1-866-948-6989.
Mississippi Lottery Scratch-Off Games
Scratch-off games account for the bulk of Mississippi Lottery ticket sales. Here is an overview of how scratch-off games work:
- Cost between $1 and $10 per ticket
- Play by scratching the latex coating off the ticket
- Reveal symbols, numbers, or prize amounts
- Match the requirements on the ticket to win prizes
- Prizes range from free tickets up to millions of dollars
- Some games have secondary bonus areas or interactive play
- Overall odds of winning printed on back of each ticket
New scratch-off games are launched regularly, while older games are phased out once all top prizes have been claimed. Game inventory is managed so there are always a variety of price points and play styles available.
Some current scratch-off games and sample prize amounts:
| Game Name | Sample Prizes |
|---|---|
| Super 7s | $7, $70, $700, $7,000 |
| Cash Payday | $20, $50, $200, $1,000, $30,000 |
| Diamond Mine | Up to $300,000 top prize |
| Monopoly Jackpot | Up to $200,000 top prize |
Scratch-off games range from simple match-three style tickets to elaborate games mimicking popular board games like Monopoly. Top prizes can reach millions of dollars on certain $10 and $20 scratch-off games. Matching the number of symbols, prize amounts, or playing interactive bonus areas are some of the ways to win.
Powerball in Mississippi
Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States with jackpots starting at $20 million. Here is an overview of how to play Powerball in Mississippi:
- Tickets cost $2 per play
- Select 5 numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls
- Select 1 number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball
- Can choose own numbers or do Quick Pick for random numbers
- Drawings held Wednesday and Saturday nights at 9:59pm Central Time
- Jackpot starts at $20 million and keeps growing until there is a winner
- Can win smaller prizes by matching some numbers without hitting the jackpot
- Overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9
- Can purchase Powerball tickets in-person at retailers, online, or through the mobile app
The largest Powerball jackpot awarded to a single ticket in Mississippi to date was $50,000 won in Hattiesburg in March 2022.
Some of the biggest Powerball jackpots won nationally include:
- $1.586 billion (2016)
- $768.4 million (2019)
- $731.1 million (2021)
- $699.8 million (2021)
- $590.5 million (2021)
Powerball drawings take place at 9:59pm Central Time on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tickets cannot be purchased after 9pm on draw nights.
Mega Millions in Mississippi
Mega Millions is the other huge multi-state lottery game available in Mississippi. Here are the Mega Millions game details:
- Tickets cost $2 per play
- Select 5 numbers from 1 to 70 for the white balls
- Select 1 number from 1 to 25 for the gold Mega Ball
- Can choose own numbers or do Quick Pick
- Drawings held Tuesdays and Fridays at 10pm Central Time
- Starting jackpot $20 million and rises based on rolls without a winner
- Can win prizes for matching some numbers without hitting jackpot
- Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24
- Purchase tickets in-person, online, or on mobile app
The biggest Mega Millions prize awarded in Mississippi was $10,000 won in 2021.
Nationally, some record Mega Millions jackpots include:
- $1.537 billion (2018)
- $1.05 billion (2021)
- $656 million (2012)
- $648 million (2013)
- $543 million (2018)
Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 10pm Central Time. Sales cut off at 9:45pm on draw nights.
Mississippi Match 5 Game
Mississippi Match 5 is the Mississippi Lottery’s own nightly draw game with a starting jackpot of $50,000:
- Tickets cost $1 per play
- Select 5 numbers from 1 to 35
- Drawings held daily after 8pm
- Starting jackpot $50,000 – grows based on rolls without winner
- Overall odds of winning are 1 in 230,230
- Prizes from $2 up to jackpot amount
- Can buy tickets at retailers or online/mobile app
- Unclaimed prizes go to public education
The record Mississippi Match 5 jackpot has been $665,000 won in December 2021.
Match 5 offers decent jackpot odds compared to massive games like Powerball and Mega Millions. With better chances of winning, Match 5 jackpots frequently hit the $400,000 to $500,000+ range.
Cash 3 and Cash 4 in Mississippi
Cash 3 and Cash 4 are quick-hit draw games only available in Mississippi. Here are the details:
Cash 3
- Pick 3 numbers between 0 and 9
- Play as straight (exact order) or box (any order)
- Drawings at 12:59pm and 6:59pm daily
- 50 cents per play up to $5
- Overall odds are 1 in 1,000
Cash 4
- Pick 4 numbers between 0 and 9
- Play straight or box
- Drawings at 1pm and 6pm daily
- 50 cents per play up to $5
- Overall odds are 1 in 10,000
Cash 3 and Cash 4 offer better odds than national games. Payouts are fixed based on the type of play and amount wagered. Prizes typically range from $30 up to a few thousand dollars.
Responsible Gambling
While playing the lottery is entertainment for most, some individuals can develop unhealthy gambling habits. The Mississippi Lottery provides resources to promote responsible play:
- Players must be 18 or older
- Advertising does not exaggerated chances of winning or misrepresent odds
- Messaging promotes responsible play and obtaining help as needed
- Self-exclusion program available for problem gamblers
- Players can set personal deposit and spend limits online
- Information on getting help through the Mississippi Council on Problem Gambling
If gambling becomes problematic, call the Mississippi Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-877-918-9777.
The Future of the Mississippi Lottery
In the few years since launch, the Mississippi Lottery has seen consistently strong sales and transfers of $100+ million annually to the state. As the lottery continues maturing, we can expect:
- Expanded game options – For example, adding a Mississippi-only draw game like a Pick 3/Pick 4
- Special scratch games tied to holidays, events, or themes
- Improved mobile app features – Scan tickets, notify of wins, targeted promotions
- Increasing awareness and engagement through advertising and outreach
- Higher percentage of revenue transferred as operations stabilize
- Potential future debates over allocating proceeds to needs like education, infrastructure, tax relief
While a relatively new lottery, Mississippi’s future looks bright in providing entertaining games to residents and transfers to good causes like roads and education. Only time will tell if Mississippians will hit one of the giant Powerball or Mega Millions jackpots.
Conclusion
After many past failed attempts, Mississippi now has an established state lottery offering a full range of draw games, scratch-offs, and participation in multi-state jackpot games. The Mississippi Lottery launched in 2019 and transfers over $100 million annually to roads and bridges with remaining funds supporting education. While playing responsibly is important, the games provide fun entertainment and chances at life-changing prizes for Mississippi residents. The lottery’s future looks strong as it continues maturing and expanding in the state.