Discovering the Secrets of Washington's Lotto

Overview

Lotto is the Washington Lottery's flagship game and was introduced in July 1984. It is a traditional jackpot style game. Since it began, nearly $1.5 billion has been paid out to lucky winners in Washington. Washington's Lottery, which was formed in 1982, is run by the government of Washington. 

Lotto drawings are every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The game is based on a 6/49 matrix meaning that six balls are randomly drawn from a pool of balls numbers 1 through 49. The Lotto jackpot begins at $1 million and continues to grow until there has been a lucky winner. Once it has been hit, it will revert back to the $1 million beginning point again. There is a 1 in 6,991,908 chance of winning the jackpot and a 1 in 27 chance of winning a prize overall. 

Each Lotto ticket costs just $1 but it will be valid for two plays.  That is, every ticket you purchase gives you two chances to win. Players who successfully select all six of the drawn numbers, will win the jackpot. However, you will also win a cash prize for matching just 5, 4 or even 3 of the six drawn numbers.

Lottery Schedule

Drawings for this lotto are held on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.

How to Play

To play Lotto, players need to select six numbers from 1 through 49. Either mark your numbers on a Lotto playslip or ask for a Quick Pick where the computer randomly selects your numbers for you. After the draw, check the numbers you selected against the winning numbers. It is also possible to play the same set of numbers for up to 10 draws in advance. And don't forget that for just $1, you are given two entries and thus two chances of winning.

Participating Countries

The following countries participate in Lotto - Washington: USA.

Prize Structure

There are four prize divisions:

1. Matching all 6 numbers wins the jackpot
2. Matching 5 numbers wins $1,000
3. Matching 4 numbers wins $30
4. Matching 3 numbers wins $3

If there is more than one winning ticket in first division, the jackpot will be split evenly.

Grand Prize

$1,000,000 US Dollar.

Jackpots

Washington Lotto jackpots begin at $1 million and rolls over each draw that it is not won. The jackpot figure is then added onto the next draw’s jackpot and continues to grow each draw until it is won. 

Notable Wins

On 5th September 2008, the largest Washington Lotto jackpot was won. The lucky winners, from the Everett region of Washington, won  $9.7 million.

Distribution of Revenue

Nearly 61% of ticket sales is returned to players in the form of prizes. A further 20% is dedicated to public education while only 2.5% is spent on administration.