The US Lotto is a multi-state lottery game that is played across the United States. It offers some of the biggest lottery jackpots in the world, with the record jackpot being over $1.5 billion in January 2016. The game is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association and drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday night. Players must choose 5 numbers from 1-69 plus a Powerball number from 1-26 to play. The order of the 5 numbers doesn’t matter, and players can choose their own numbers or use quick pick to have the numbers randomly generated. To win the jackpot, players must match all 5 numbers plus the Powerball. Lesser prizes are awarded for matching some of the numbers.
What Time Are the Drawings?
The US Lotto drawings are held at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time every Wednesday and Saturday. Here is a breakdown of what time the drawings occur in each US time zone:
| Time Zone | Drawing Time |
| Eastern | 10:59 p.m. |
| Central | 9:59 p.m. |
| Mountain | 8:59 p.m. |
| Pacific | 7:59 p.m. |
| Alaska | 6:59 p.m. |
| Hawaii | 5:59 p.m. |
So no matter where you are located in the US, the drawings are held at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Players can watch the drawings live online or on TV to see the winning numbers announced.
Why 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time?
The Multi-State Lottery Association purposely chooses this consistent time across the US for the convenience of players. Having a set time makes it easy for players to know when to tune in or check results. It also builds more excitement and suspense leading up to the scheduled drawing times.
Choosing an evening time allows most people to get off work and purchase tickets during the day. The later 10:59 p.m. Eastern drawing also keeps the excitement going into the night rather than having an afternoon drawing. This primetime scheduling helps drive up sales and interest in the game.
Are the Drawings Always at 10:59 p.m.?
The US Lotto drawings occur at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time for every regular drawing on Wednesdays and Saturdays. However, there are a few exceptions:
- If New Year’s Eve falls on a Wednesday or Saturday drawing day, the drawing is usually held earlier in the afternoon instead of at night.
- During daylight saving time changes in the Spring and Fall, the drawing time may shift by an hour in some areas to maintain the constant offset from Eastern Time.
- If there is a major interruption or issue right at 10:59 p.m. such as a power outage or weather emergency, the drawing may be delayed by a few minutes or postponed to the following day.
Outside of situations like that, players can count on the US Lotto drawings always being held at the standard 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesdays and Saturdays. This consistent scheduling makes it easy for lottery players across the country to participate.
How to Play the US Lotto
Playing the US Lotto requires choosing 5 main numbers and a Powerball for a chance to win prizes. Here are the steps:
- Pick 5 numbers from 1-69. These are the white balls that are drawn from one drum.
- Pick 1 Powerball number from 1-26. This red ball is drawn from a separate drum.
- Pay $2 per play. Multiply your plays for more chances to win.
- Matches are needed to win – match the 5 white balls in any order plus the red Powerball to hit the jackpot.
- Check Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Eastern for the drawings.
The 5 numbers can be personal lucky picks or randomly quick picked by having the lottery terminal choose them. Either way, be sure to buy tickets before sales cut off 1-2 hours before the 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time drawings held every Wednesday and Saturday night.
Odds of Winning
The odds of winning the US Lotto jackpot are incredibly high because of the game’s huge prize pools. The chances of a single play matching all 5 white balls plus the red Powerball are about 1 in 292 million. To put that in perspective, a player is actually slightly more likely to be struck by lightning in their lifetime. Here are the overall odds of winning a prize:
| Prize Level | Odds of Winning |
| Jackpot | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| Match 5 + 0 | 1 in 11,688,053 |
| Match 4 + 1 | 1 in 913,129 |
| Match 4 + 0 | 1 in 36,525 |
| Match 3 + 1 | 1 in 14,494 |
| Match 3 + 0 | 1 in 580 |
| Match 2 + 1 | 1 in 701 |
| Match 1 + 1 | 1 in 91 |
| Match 0 + 1 | 1 in 38 |
As shown, lower tier prizes have much better odds, but the jackpot remains elusive. Strategies like joining an office pool can improve the odds by purchasing more tickets, but hitting the jackpot is still unlikely.
Notable Jackpots
With odds like that, it may seem impossible to actually win the US Lotto jackpot. However, some lucky players have managed to beat the odds and take home massive prizes over the years. Here are some of the biggest US Lotto jackpot winners so far:
- $1.586 Billion – January 2016 – Split by 3 tickets in California, Florida, and Tennessee.
- $768.4 Million – March 2019 – Single ticket sold in Wisconsin.
- $758.7 Million – August 2017 – Single ticket sold in Massachusetts.
- $731.1 Million – January 2021 – Single ticket sold in Maryland.
- $699.8 Million – October 2021 – Single ticket sold in California.
Those enormous jackpots dwarfed previous records and generated huge lottery sales leading up to the drawings. It just takes one lucky ticket to win, and these winners get to split prizes in the hundreds of millions or even over a billion dollars. Will the next record jackpot be won on a Wednesday or Saturday night at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time?
Biggest Jackpot in 2022
In 2022, the largest US Lotto jackpot so far was an estimated $502 million. It was hit on the drawing held on October 14, 2022 by two tickets sold in California and Florida. The lucky winners split the massive prize, each taking home around $251 million before taxes.
Leading up to the drawing, lottery fever had spread across the country with such a large jackpot up for grabs. Over $102 million in tickets were sold just for that drawing alone. The winning numbers drawn at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 14th were: 9, 22, 26, 41, 44 and Powerball 19. Both jackpot winning tickets matched all 6 numbers to split the grand prize.
The next largest jackpot in 2022 was $473.1 million, hit on April 27 and split by tickets in Arizona, California, and Wisconsin. The rest of the top 5 biggest jackpots in 2022 so far are:
- $446 million – July 29
- $435 million – February 5
- $420.9 million – January 28
There have been some near record jackpots in 2022, keeping lottery fever high. More giant jackpots could be won before the end of the year, with drawings held every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Requirements to Claim a Jackpot Prize
Landing those huge lottery jackpot prizes requires more than just incredibly good luck. There are also some legal requirements for claiming a jackpot:
- The ticket must have been purchased in a state participating in the Mega Millions game.
- Players must be at least 18 or 19 years old depending on state laws.
- Tickets must be signed to establish ownership.
- Prizes must be claimed in the state where the ticket was purchased.
- There are time limits for coming forward ranging from 3 months to 1 year from the drawing.
- Jackpot winners can’t remain anonymous in most states.
- Taxes of 24-37% apply to the winnings.
Once those requirements are met, lottery officials will help guide jackpot winners through the claims process. That includes options on how to take the lump sum cash or annuity payments. Financial advisors suggest lottery winners assemble a team of professional experts like legal counsel, tax advisors, and investment managers to prudently handle their windfall. With the right guidance, the lucky ticket holders can enjoy their massive prizes.
Record Lottery Jackpots Expected to Keep Growing
Lottery jackpots like Powerball and MegaMillions have been breaking records over the last decade. Just in the last few years, the biggest jackpots have doubled from around $500-$600 million up to over $1 billion. This growth is likely to continue as lottery fever spreads more broadly and ticket sales keep increasing for the chance at bigger jackpots.
A few key factors are contributing to the rise in record jackpots:
- More States Added – In the last 10 years, more states have joined these multi-state lottery games, increasing the number of participating lotteries.
- Improved Odds – The odds were changed in 2015 to make it harder to win the jackpot. But this allows the prizes to roll over more frequently when no winner is drawn.
- Higher Ticket Sales – Larger potential jackpots drive higher ticket sales as public interest grows with media coverage.
Between those factors, lottery organizers expect bigger and bigger jackpots in the coming years. There is no cap on the jackpots so they can continue growing indefinitely until a winner is drawn. Lottery fever will likely hit new heights down the road. Could a $2 billion jackpot happen in the next 5-10 years? Time will tell!
Advice for Playing the Lottery Responsibly
Fantasizing about lottery jackpots is fun, but responsible players should keep realistic expectations. With odds up to 1 in 300 million, the chances of winning are extremely remote. Lottery games are purely entertainment and should be played only within a budget. To avoid problems, experts advise:
- Spend only discretionary income, not rent or grocery money on lottery tickets.
- Play for fun, not as a way to make money or escape problems.
- Balance lottery play with other hobbies to avoid obsession.
- Don’t borrow money or use credit to finance lottery purchases.
- Never chase losses or spend more trying to win back past purchases.
Lotteries can be a harmless diversion as long as gambling responsibly. But like any form of gaming, excess can lead to financial and personal difficulties. Playing with restraint and reasonable expectations can keep the lottery enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions players have about the US Lotto game:
Q: What days are the US Lotto drawings held?
A: Drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Q: Can I buy tickets after the cutoff times before drawings?
A: No, ticket sales stop 1-2 hours before the 10:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday drawings, so you must buy them earlier in the day.
Q: What happens if no one wins the jackpot?
A: If no ticket matches all 6 numbers, the jackpot rolls over and continues growing for the next drawing.
Q: What is the best way to choose lottery numbers?
A: There is no proven strategy for picking lucky numbers. Using personal numbers, Quick Pick, patterns, or random combinations have similar very low odds.
Q: Where does the lottery revenue go?
A: Lottery revenue funds public education, senior assistance, state parks, and other programs that vary by participating state.
Be sure to play responsibly and check official state lottery websites for full rules, regulations and frequently asked questions. Good luck!
Conclusion
The US Lotto offers life-changing jackpots two times a week, with drawings held every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Players across most of the United States can participate in the lottery by purchasing tickets bearing 5 main numbers and a Powerball before the sales cutoff times. Huge jackpots in excess of $400 million and even over $1 billion are possible, though the odds of winning are extremely small. Responsible play focused on entertainment, not profits, can make the US Lotto an enjoyable diversion. Try your luck at becoming the next big jackpot winner during the next Wednesday or Saturday night drawing at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time.