Currently, the United States has 45 state-run lottery systems. These systems are operated by the states themselves, or by the District of Columbia. The US Virgin Islands also operates lottery systems. When 2021, the United States will have a total of 46 lotteries. However, only a handful of states have authorized online ticket sales.
Currently, the US operates two main multi-state lotteries: MegaMillions and Powerball. These lotteries offer jackpots with odds of 1 in 302,575,350 or 1 in 292,201,338. These lotteries also have additional pools of numbers, giving players more chances of winning. Several state-run lotteries also offer local games.
The first US state to offer lottery was New Hampshire in 1964. Today, the New Hampshire Lottery offers Powerball and Mega Millions. The lottery also features several draw games, including Pick 3. All of the proceeds from the lottery go to education, public health, public safety, natural resources and public employee pension systems.
The Maryland Lottery Agency holds twice-daily drawings for Pick 3 and Pick 4. The agency also offers a “instant win” feature. The agency also offers a $50,000 top prize. The agency uses numbered lottery balls and manually operated air-mix machines.
The Colorado Lottery was launched in 1983. It is part of the Multi-State Lottery Association and offers several local and multi-state games. In addition to Powerball, the Colorado Lottery also offers Mega Millions. Ticket prizes range from $1 to $20.
The Oregon Lottery is also a member of the Multi-State Lottery Assocation. The state-run lottery donates a portion of its proceeds to state causes, including education, public health, natural resources and state parks. The state-run lottery also funds problem gambling treatment programs. In fact, the state-run lottery’s contributions have exceeded $10 billion since 1972.
The California State Lottery is a charter member of the Multi-State Lottery assocation and offers several local and multi-state games. The California State Lottery is also the largest lottery in the United States. In 2017, the lottery generated over $4.2 billion in total game sales.
The Connecticut Lottery is one of the oldest lottery organizations in the United States. The proceeds of the Connecticut Lottery go to benefit the state’s residents. In fiscal year 2020, the Connecticut Lottery paid out $822 million in prize money to its players. The profits from the Connecticut Lottery are used to pay for public programs, education, debt services and retirement benefits. The lottery also contributes 25 cents of every dollar collected on ticket sales to the Common School Fund.
The South Dakota Lottery was launched in 1987. It raises money for natural resources and road infrastructure. Players must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license. In addition to draw games, the South Dakota Lottery offers four state-only titles. The lottery also raises money for the state’s natural resources, which include the wildlife habitats and parks.
The Idaho Lottery began in 1989. It is also a member of the Multi-State lotteries Association and offers several local and multi-state draw games.