A Florida lottery raffle ticket is a type of lottery game offered by the Florida Lottery. Raffle games allow players to win prizes by purchasing tickets and entering a drawing. The Florida Lottery offers several different raffle games throughout the year with varying price points and prize structures.
How do Florida lottery raffle tickets work?
Florida lottery raffle tickets work by allowing players to purchase numbered tickets either online or from authorized Florida Lottery retailers. Each raffle ticket is printed with a unique number that is entered into a drawing. Prior to the drawing, the Lottery determines how many prizes will be awarded and at what amounts. For example, a raffle may award 10 prizes of $1,000 each. On the designated drawing date, the Florida Lottery uses a random number generator to select the winning ticket numbers. Players whose ticket numbers match the numbers drawn are winners.
Raffle ticket prices
Florida lottery raffle games can have different price points, often ranging from $5 to $100 per ticket. Some raffles may offer bulk discounts for purchasing multiple tickets in one transaction. The raffle price point determines a game’s prize structure and odds of winning. Higher price points allow the Lottery to offer larger prizes.
Prize structures
The prize structure in Florida raffles can vary but often follows similar formats:
- Set cash prizes – A raffle may award a fixed number of set cash prizes, like awarding 10 prizes of $5,000 each.
- Escalating prizes – The largest prizes are awarded to the first tickets drawn. Remaining prizes decrease in amount. For example, a raffle may award $1 million for the first ticket drawn, $100,000 for the second, $75,000 for the third, and so on.
- Percentage payouts – A percentage of total raffle revenue may be paid out as the top prizes. Lower-tier prizes may also be awarded.
Odds of winning
The odds of winning in a Florida raffle game are determined by the number of tickets sold and the number of prizes available. In a set prize structure with 10 $1,000 prizes, your odds are 1 in X, where X represents the number of tickets sold. Odds generally range from around 1 in 250,000 to 1 in 4 million for the top prizes in most raffle games. The overall odds of winning any prize can be as high as 1 in 32.
Types of Florida lottery raffle games
The Florida Lottery offers both recurring and special event raffle games throughout the year. The following are some of the different types of raffle games the Florida Lottery offers:
Florida 100X the Cash
The Florida Lottery 100X the Cash raffle game is drawn four times a year – in March, June, September and December. Tickets cost $20 each and the game offers prize levels ranging from $250 up to a top prize of $15 million. The prize structure is a set cash amount – no annuity. The game typically offers around 4,000 prizes each drawing.
Florida $2,000,000 Platinum Raffle
This raffle game is drawn once per year and offers a $2 million top prize along with seven other cash prizes ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. There are only 60,000 tickets available at $20 each. Overall odds to win are 1 in 6,000.
Lucky 7s Raffle
A recurring $5 raffle game, Lucky 7s offers seven top prizes of $700,000 plus thousands of prizes from $700 to $7,000. Drawings are held seven times per year. Overall odds to win a prize are 1 in 32.
Super Millions Raffle
The Super Millions Raffle coincides with the Florida Lottery’s Super Millions jackpot game. Tickets are $20 and one winner takes home a $1 million prize. This raffle occurs whenever the Super Millions jackpot reaches $450 million or higher.
Special event raffles
The Florida Lottery may introduce special one-time raffle games to coincide with holidays or events. These can include games with sport season themes or special luxury prizes like vehicles or vacations.
How to purchase Florida lottery raffle tickets
Florida lottery raffle tickets can be purchased in the following ways once a game sales period opens:
Online
Players can purchase raffle tickets securely online through the Florida Lottery website or official mobile app. Purchasing online allows you to store your numbers digitally for easy reference and confirmation.
In-person
Raffle tickets are sold at authorized Florida Lottery retailers during game sales periods, which typically last 4-6 weeks before a drawing. Find Lottery retailers using the store locator at flalottery.com. In-person purchases provide you with a printed paper ticket.
Phone
Call the Florida Lottery at 1-800-PICK2WIN (1-800-742-5946) to purchase raffle tickets over the phone. You’ll need to provide payment info for phone orders.
Mail in an order form and payment to the Florida Lottery headquarters to purchase tickets. Order forms are available at flalottery.com or can be requested by phone.
Can you buy Florida lottery raffle tickets from other states?
No, Florida lottery raffle tickets can only be purchased within the state of Florida. State law prohibits the purchase of any Florida Lottery products through mail order or online sales from out of state. You must be physically located within Florida borders to purchase and redeem Florida Lottery tickets.
Raffle ticket purchasing restrictions
Florida lottery raffle tickets can only be purchased by individuals 18 years or older. Tickets cannot be purchased in the name of a company, corporation, trust, or other entity. They also cannot be purchased by groups, family units, clubs, or organizations. Raffle tickets are non-transferable once purchased.
Odds of winning Florida raffle games
The overall odds of winning any prize in a Florida Lottery raffle game can range from 1 in 250,000 on the low end up to around 1 in 4 million on the high side. The exact odds vary by game and are determined by the number of tickets available and number of winning spots. Here are the typical published odds for Florida raffles:
| Prize Amount | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|
| Top Prize | 1 in 250,000 to 1 in 4 million |
| $1,000 | 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 50,000 |
| $500 | 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 25,000 |
| $100 | 1 in 500 to 1 in 5,000 |
| Overall Odds | Varies, from 1 in 32 to 1 in 250,000 |
How do you claim Florida lottery raffle prizes?
Winning Florida lottery raffle tickets can be redeemed in several different ways:
In person
Prizes up to $600 can be claimed at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer. Prizes over $600 must be claimed at a Florida Lottery district office.
By mail
Download a claim form from the Lottery website and mail the completed form and your winning ticket to Lottery headquarters. A claim form is required for mailed claims over $600.
Secured drop box
Lottery district offices have secured drop boxes where you can deposit winning tickets and a claim form if required. Tickets and payment will be mailed back to you.
Taxes on Florida lottery raffle prizes
Florida lottery prizes over $600 are subject to federal tax withholding at a rate of 24%. State tax withholding of at least 5% also applies for Florida residents claiming raffle prizes over $5,000. Prizes over $250,000 have a top tax rate of 37% for federal and 5.534% for Florida state. Consult a tax professional to determine your precise tax liability.
Getting the cash option for raffle prizes
Most Florida lottery raffle games pay top prizes in lump sum cash form. However, some games may offer annuitized prize options. You can elect to take the cash value amount for the full prize instead of the annuity. The Lottery determines cash options based on current interest rates. Contact the Florida Lottery claims office for the cash value amount of a raffle jackpot annuity.
Recurring vs. special event raffles
The Florida Lottery offers both recurring raffle games and special one-time event raffles. Recurring games take place on a regular schedule, like the quarterly 100X the Cash raffle. One-time raffles are held to coincide with holidays or special events. The $2,000,000 Platinum Raffle is an example of a special event drawing held each September. Both types offer huge jackpots with excellent odds compared to traditional lottery draw games.
Raffle game strategies and tips
While raffle games involve luck in the random number drawing, there are some strategies players use to increase their chances:
- Buy more tickets – Your odds of winning improve with each ticket purchased. Buying the maximum number of tickets can significantly increase your chances.
- Enter at the last minute – Raffles with smaller sales periods tend to have fewer tickets purchased. Entering right before the close of sales can decrease competition.
- Choose non-standard numbers – Avoid quick pick numbers or repetitive number patterns that many players use.
- Check your ticket – Make sure to verify your numbers after purchase so you don’t miss claiming a prize.
How to know if your Florida raffle ticket won
After a Florida lottery raffle drawing, you can determine if your ticket won a prize in a few ways:
- Online results – Check official drawing results at flalottery.com. Sign in to your account to see if your numbers match.
- Mobile app – Download the Florida Lottery app and access drawing results.
- Winning numbers hotline – Call the winning numbers hotline at 850-921-4967 (PLAY).
- Notification – If you created an online Lottery account, you may receive an email notification about any winning tickets.
- Ticket scanner – Use the ticket checker at any Florida Lottery retailer to scan and check results.
What to do if you lose or damage a winning raffle ticket?
If you have a winning Florida lottery raffle ticket that gets lost, stolen, or too damaged to redeem, immediately file a claim form with the Lottery. This claim protects your ticket in case someone else tries to cash it. You’ll need to provide details and evidence about the ticket’s purchase. The Lottery will evaluate claims on a case-by-case basis before determining if the prize can be paid.
The legality of Florida lottery raffle games
Florida lottery raffle games are fully legal in the state. They are authorized under state law and regulated by the Florida Lottery. Florida first authorized lottery raffle games in 1987. Raffle games have continued ever since as popular Lottery offerings due to the excellent odds and potential to win multimillion dollar jackpots. As government-run games, Florida raffles are required to have integrity and security standards protecting players.
Florida lottery raffle game history and changes
Florida introduced its first experimental raffle drawing in 1988 with a Rolls Royce as the grand prize. The $1 Million Flamingo Fortune drawing then kicked off regularly scheduled raffles in the state. The Lottery has since expanded its raffle portfolio with games at various price points and prize levels. Notable changes include:
- 1994 – Flamingo Fortune revised to award $4 million top prize
- 1997 – Millionaire drawing added
- 1999 – Flamingo Fortune replaced by Millionaire Raffle
- 2006 – Platinum Millions Raffle begins
- 2009 – Lucky 7’s Raffle introduced
- 2013 – 100X The Cash added
- 2016 – First $2,000,000 Platinum Raffle held
The Florida Lottery continuously monitors its raffle game portfolio and makes changes to ensure a variety of prize options at different price points.
Conclusion
Florida lottery raffle games provide big jackpot excitement with excellent odds compared to traditional draw games. With tickets starting at just $5, raffles give players the chance to win millions for a minimal investment. The Lottery offers both recurring and special event raffles throughout the year with various prize structures. While winning ultimately comes down to chance, small strategies like buying maximum tickets and choosing unusual numbers can slightly improve your probabilities. With massive jackpots and drawings held several times per year, Florida lottery raffles give players the opportunity to become an instant millionaire.
