Illinois Lottery

Illinois residents have access to a wide range of lottery games thanks to the Illinois Lottery, one of the first state lotteries to launch online ticket sales. The operator is Camelot Illinois, which took over from Northstar Lottery Group in 2018. Since its inception in 1974, the Illinois Lottery has contributed over $24 billion to public education and infrastructure across the state. The official website and mobile app allow players to purchase tickets, check Illinois Lottery numbers, enter second-chance promotions, and view draw results in real time.

Multi-Jurisdictional Drawings Offered by Lottery IL

Among the most popular games offered is Mega Millions, which Illinois joined in 1996. Tickets cost $2, and players may opt for the Megaplier feature for an additional $1 to multiply non-jackpot prizes up to five times. Mega Millions drawings occur every Tuesday and Friday and are conducted in Atlanta, Georgia. Despite being drawn out-of-state, Illinois players have claimed some of the game’s largest jackpots.

Powerball was added to the Illinois Lottery lineup in January 2010. In 2025, tickets still cost $2, with the Power Play multiplier option available for an additional $1. Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings. With jackpots starting at $20 million and frequently climbing into the hundreds of millions, Powerball remains one of the top games for Illinois residents.

Pick 3, Pick 4 and My3 are Popular In-House Drawings

Pick 3, formerly known as the Daily Game, remains a daily fixture for Illinois Lottery players. Drawings occur twice a day, seven days a week—midday and evening. Players choose three digits (0-9) and select from play types such as Straight, Box, Straight/Box, and Combo. Wager amounts vary from $0.50 to $5, and payouts reach up to $500 for a $1 Straight wager.

Pick 4 is based on the same principle, but players choose four digits instead of three. The top prize is $5,000 on a $1 Straight bet. Drawings are also held twice daily, and this game continues to be popular due to its better odds than multi-state games and flexibility in wagering styles.

My3 is a newer in-state game exclusive to Illinois. Players choose three numbers from a pool of 1–9, and the game has just one prize tier: match all three numbers in exact order to win $100. My3 is a quick-play option and appeals to those who enjoy smaller, more frequent payouts.

Three Popular Lotto Versions for Illinois Lottery

The flagship Illinois Lotto game has undergone several changes since it was first introduced in 1983. The most recent version, as of 2025, allows players to choose six numbers from 1 to 50. The jackpot starts at $2 million and increases with rollovers. Drawings are held three times a week—Monday, Thursday, and Saturday—and tickets include automatic entry into two additional drawings: Lotto Million 1 and Lotto Million 2, which each offer a $1 million prize.

Lucky Day Lotto is a daily draw game held twice each day, offering strong odds and a rolling jackpot that starts at $100,000. Players select five numbers from 1 to 45. An EZmatch option can be added for $1, providing instant win opportunities of up to $500. The game, formerly known as Little Lotto, rebranded in 2012 and has become a player favorite for its frequent wins and lower ticket cost.

Fast Play and Instant Tickets are also available both online and in-store. Fast Play games are like scratch-offs but are printed at the terminal and offer immediate win opportunities. The Illinois Lottery updates its catalog of scratch-offs regularly with new themes and prize structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy Illinois Lottery tickets online?

Yes. Illinois was the first state to offer online ticket sales. Residents can purchase tickets for games like Lotto, Mega Millions, Powerball, Lucky Day Lotto, and more through the official Illinois Lottery website or mobile app.

How old do I need to be to play the Illinois Lottery?

You must be at least 18 years old to buy tickets or claim prizes in Illinois.

What games does the Illinois Lottery offer?

Illinois offers Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto, Lucky Day Lotto, Pick 3, Pick 4, My3, Fast Play, and a wide range of instant scratch-off games.

How can I check Illinois Lottery winning numbers?

You can check winning numbers at licensed retailers, on the Illinois Lottery website, through the official app, or by watching local TV drawings.

Are Illinois Lottery winnings taxable?

Yes. Winnings over $600 are reported to the IRS. Federal taxes of 24% apply to winnings over $5,000. Illinois also withholds 4.95% for state income tax.

How do I claim a prize?

Prizes up to $600 can be claimed at any Illinois Lottery retailer. Prizes above $600 must be claimed by mail or at one of the Illinois Lottery’s claim centers. A claim form, valid photo ID, and Social Security number are required.

Do Illinois Lottery tickets expire?

Yes. Draw game prizes must be claimed within one year of the drawing date. Instant tickets must be claimed within one year from the game's end date.

Is it safe to play the Illinois Lottery online?

Yes. The Illinois Lottery uses secure systems for online transactions and enforces strong identity verification to prevent fraud or underage play.