The Missouri Lottery is a key fixture in the state’s gaming landscape, offering a wide variety of games for residents to play and contributing significantly to public causes like education. From daily draw games to popular multi-state lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions, the Missouri Lottery provides players with opportunities to win prizes ranging from modest to life-changing. Over the past several decades, the lottery has generated billions of dollars for state educational programs, while also evolving to meet the growing entertainment demands of Missouri residents. With new game additions, the Missouri Lottery remains a vital part of the state's recreational and funding efforts.
The Missouri Lottery was established after a vote held in 1984, making it the 23rd state lottery established in the U.S. The very first tickets went on sale after the vote, first available to state residents in January of 1986. Initially, ticket sale proceeds were allocated to the state’s General Revenue fund. However, in 1992, voters approved an amendment to instead allocate the proceeds to support public education. Since 1993, all funds generated by the lottery have supported education programs in Missouri. Over the years, the Missouri Lottery has introduced various popular games, including Powerball in 1992 and Mega Millions in 2010. These games have contributed over $7 billion to education in the state.
Missouri offers a range of different lottery games, varying in terms of method of play, ticket cost, and potential prize size. The most popular games include:
These instant-win tickets are consistently the most popular, ranging in price from $1 to $50 and offering top prizes up to $10 million. Their quick results and high prize potential make them a favorite among players.
These multi-state games have created excitement with their record-breaking jackpots, frequently reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. Introduced in 1992 and 2010 respectively, they remain popular due to their massive payout potential.
As the state’s flagship game, Missouri Lotto boasts a minimum jackpot of $1 million and features bi-weekly drawings. Its progressive jackpot and multiple prize tiers make it a staple of the state’s lottery offerings.
While large jackpots draw attention, many Missouri Lottery players look for games with favorable odds of winning, even at more modest prize sizes.
Pick 3 and Pick 4: Offering appealing overall odds, Pick 3 has a top prize with odds of 1 in 1,000, while Pick 4’s top prize has odds of 1 in 10,000. These daily draw games are popular for their higher probability of winning, despite smaller prize pools.
Show Me Cash: Known for good odds and a starting jackpot of $50,000, Show Me Cash offers players a 1 in 575,757 chance of hitting the jackpot, making it a preferred choice for those seeking better odds with a more moderate prize potential.
Scratchers: Missouri's Scratchers offer solid winning odds, with higher-priced tickets providing odds as favorable as 1 in 2.5. The 300X, Millionaire Bucks, and Big Riches games feature some of the best overall odds in the state.
For those looking to play responsibly, understanding the odds can help guide smarter decisions when participating in the Missouri Lottery.
You can check the odds of winning Missouri games in the table below:
Game | Odds Of Winning Jackpot | Odds Of Winning Any Prize |
---|---|---|
Powerball | 1 in 292,201,338 | 1 in 24.87 |
Mega Millions | 1 in 302,575,350 | 1 in 24 |
Cash4Life | 1 in 21,846,048 | 1 in 8 |
Lotto | 1 in 3,529,526 | 1 in 20 |
Show Me Cash | 1 in 575,757 | 1 in 8.77 |
Before diving headlong into purchasing lottery tickets online, it is essential to understand how lotteries work and what your odds of winning are.
Understanding lottery odds, jackpots, and rules helps you make informed decisions before making your picks. Thankfully, a wealth of information is available on Jackpot.com, covering various lottery games in Missouri and other states. Familiarizing yourself with the basics of lottery systems and how they function can go a long way in helping you develop an effective playing strategy.
It's important to play responsibly and within your means. If you or someone you know needs support or guidance, there are various responsible gambling resources available to help you stay in control and enjoy the game safely.
The Missouri Lottery and Jackpot.com provide access to numerous resources and support services to promote responsible play. Whether you need tips for managing your play or assistance for someone struggling with gambling, these resources are designed to ensure a safe and enjoyable gaming experience for everyone.
We have compiled a list of FAQs related to online lottery tickets to make sure you have the best possible lottery experience. Still have questions? Get in touch with our Customer Experience Team.