Inside the New York Lotto: Your Comprehensive Guide

Overview

The New York Lotto began in 1967 and whlist it is one of the oldest government run lottery games in the United States, it is still hugely popular and has a dedicated following of fans. Every Wednesday and Saturday night, six winning numbers and a bonus number are randomly selected from 59 numbered balls from a special draw machine. To win the jackpot you need to successfully match all six numbers. However, you will still receive a prize if you match five, four or three numbers.

The minimum play is $1 for two game panels. Or you can play up to $5 on a 10 playcard.  Lotto Extra is an optional extra for just $1 and increases your chances of winning.

One of the stated purposes of the New York Lotto is to provide funding back to the New York community and especially the education system.

Lottery Schedule

Drawings for this lotto are held on Wednesday, Saturday.

How to Play

Pick six numbers out of 59 and mark them in one game panel on your Lotto play card or you can ask for a Quick Pick and have a computer randomly select your numbers for you. Each playcard has 10 game panels with squares numbered 1 through to 59. The minimum play is $1 for two game panels. Or you can play up to $5 on the 10-playcard.  You should also mark how you wish to collect your prize in the event that you hit the jackpot.

Lottery age Limit

You have to be over the age of 18 to participate.

Participating Countries

The following countries participate in New York Lotto: USA.

Prize Structure

There are five prize levels.  If your six selected numbers match the winning Lotto numbers drawn, then you win the first prize jackpot. If you match five winning numbers plus the bonus, you win second prize. If you match five, four or three winning numbers then you win the third, fourth and fifth winning numbers respectively. The actual prize awarded at each level is pari-mutuel meaning that it is calculated by dividing the number of winners at that particular prize level by the money available for that prize level.

Grand Prize

$8,000,000 US Dollar.

Jackpots

Lotto Extra is an add-on feature to New York's traditional Lotto. With Lotto Extra you get additional prize levels and better odds of winning more cash prizes! For just an extra dollar on top of your Lotto wager, you can match the traditional bonus number or the new Extra bonus number chosen at each drawing to win additional cash prizes. That Extra $1 gets you a total of 8 prize levels instead of the usual five prize levels.

Notable Wins

The largest New York Lotto jackpot prize of $65 million was won on 30 June 2007.

Distribution of Revenue

If the jackpot is not won in any drawing, the First Prize Pool Money is carried forward and is added to the next Lotto Jackpot. Unusually, if there are no second prize winners, the second prize pool money will also be carried forward and added to the second prize pool for the next draw. Forty per cent of the sales for the draw is allocated to prize money.

The New York State Lottery has generated more than $34 billion in support of the local education infrastructure.