How to Play in Ohio

In Ohio, you’ve got lots of lottery options to play from. There’s the nationwide Powerball and Mega Millions to state‑level games like Lotto, Pick‑3, Pick‑4, and Pick‑5. You can buy tickets the old way (in‑store at authorized retailers) or use a lottery courier service to do it for you.

Using a courier means your ticket is bought on your behalf by an agent. You’ll receive a scanned copy in your online account, and you’ll be notified of any wins. No need to keep the paper ticket, no stress about checking results manually, and no need to leave your home.

Powerball

The Ohio Lottery sold its first Powerball ticket in April 2010. Powerball jackpots start at $20 million with the chance to win three times a week – on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Ticket sales stop at 10:00 p.m. ET, the deadline is likely to be earlier through a lottery courier service the deadline is likely to be earlier in order for your agent to buy your tickets. See how to play Powerball below:

• Pick 5 numbers (between 1 and 69), and 1 Powerball (from 1 to 26). You also have the option of Quick Pick (fully random) or a partial Quick Pick (you pick some numbers, let the system fill in the rest).
• Add Power Play for a small additional fee. This multiplies any non‑jackpot prize you win by 2×, 3×, 4×, 5×, or even 10×, depending on that night’s draw!
• You can enter up to 10 draws at once if you want to play the same set of numbers consecutively.
• Double check your number selections before completing purchase, because cancellations aren’t allowed.

To win, you need to match at least the Powerball, or three of the main white balls. There are nine tiers of prizes. If nobody wins the jackpot (by matching all six numbers), it rolls over to the next draw. In the past, some jackpots have even exceeded $2 billion.

Mega Millions

Mega Millions has been played in Ohio since 2002, and many Ohioans have hit jackpots. Draws are held twice a week at 11:00 p.m. ET, though in-store sales end at 10:45 p.m. Here’s how to play Mega Millions.

• Select 5 numbers from 1 to 70, plus 1 Mega Ball (1‑25), or choose an Auto Pick to let the system pick for you.
• You can opt in for Megaplier, which boosts non‑jackpot prizes up to five times their standard amount.
• You can play just the next drawing, or get in for as many as 10 back‑to‑back draws with the same numbers.
• Be sure to make your purchase before the in‑store deadline (usually 10:45 p.m. ET), or earlier if using a courier so the agent has enough time.

Courier users, for example, Jackpot.com or theLotter, will see the scanned ticket in their account, showing their numbers and the draw(s). It's as easy as that!

More Play Options & Claiming Prizes

If you have favorite numbers from a previous ticket, Ohio offers a ‘Play It Again’ option. This is where you can take your old ticket to a retailer and they’ll print a new ticket with those same selections.

You’ve got 180 days from the draw date to claim any prize you win.

If you played through a courier, most winnings (especially smaller amounts) will be deposited directly into your online account. For larger prizes, the courier will guide you on how to claim from the Ohio Lottery itself.

Winners of big jackpots can choose to remain anonymous, which is relatively rare in U.S. lottery states.

The Ohio Lottery

The Ohio Lottery has been operating since 1973, helping fund schools, public services, and more. Over the years it has contributed tens of millions to the state’s education system while also giving players daily chances at life‑changing prizes.

Some notable wins start with a player winning a $372 million Mega Millions jackpot in December 2019, incredibly, this went to the Great Hope Trust. An anonymous Ohioan also won $261 million playing Powerball in June 2010, just a few months after Ohio began offering Powerball.