Exploring the Classic Lotto in Connecticut

Overview

Know as "Connecticut's Game of Choice", the Classic Lotto is a pick 6 lottery that has a jackpot starting at $1 million and growing. Belonging to the Iowa-based Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) member, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (also known at CT Lottery) has been running since 1972. It is Connecticut's secondary jackpot game, as it participates in the multi-state MegaMillions Lottery. Using only printed balls and drawing machines for the in-house drawing games, such as Classic Lotto, the CT Lottery aims to have higher integrity than other controversial computerized draw games that some states use. 

Drawings are held on Tuesday and Friday nights (the same as MegaMillions), and offer winners a choice between annual or lump sum payments of cash. Previous winners have banked anything from $1 million up to $10 million, proving that Classic Lotto truly is Connecticut's game to play.

Lottery Schedule

Drawings for this lotto are held on Tuesday, Friday

How to Play

Fill out a Classic Lotto play slip and choose 6 numbers between 1 and 44 - or choose a quick-pick by asking the retailer for it. Each slip has 5 separate $1 betting spots, you may play all 5 slots for $5. You may also buy tickets for any future drawings with the "Advanced Action" option, which allows you to do up to 26 draw plays for $25. 

Minors may not play or cash in winning tickets, even for someone else. 

Participating Countries

The following countries participate in Classic Lotto - Connecticut: USA.

Prize Structure

Match all 6 numbers and hit the jackpot. Match 5 numbers and win $2,000, 4 numbers win $50, and 3 numbers equal $2 in winnings. Prize money is determined by the expected amount of winners that will share the prize pool. The jackpot can be paid in 21 annual payments or one cash lump sum. If there are more than one winner for the jackpot, it will split amongst the winners. If there are two consecutive drawings without a first-prize winner, the jackpot increases by a minimum of $100,000 per drawing until it is won. 

Overall odds of winning a prize in the Lotto on a single $1 bet are 1 in 39. Odd of winning a jackpot on a single $1 bet are 1 in 7 million.

Grand Prize

$1,000,000 US Dollar.

Jackpots

The jackpot starts at $1 million and continues to grow until it is won.

Notable Wins

Mary Stange won the largest single-ticket jackpot in the game's history on January 1, 2002 for $28 million. Others include January 2010 where Marilyn Citron won $9.7 million dollars, while in December 2008, Charlotte Peters won $10 million.

Distribution of Revenue

Funds earned from lottery sales go towards state services and programs that are funded by the Conneticut General Fund, which includes public health, libraries, public safety, education and others such as conservation for parks and natural resources, government and medicaid. In addition, the Lottery contributes $1.5 million annually to help prevent and treat problem gambling.