Minnesota lottery guide
The Minnesota Lottery dedicates part of its proceeds to environmental funds.
The essentials
- Official lottery: Minnesota Lottery
- National jackpot games: Powerball, Mega Millions, Lotto America
- Game types available: 4 (national, in-state, daily, Scratchers)
- Play responsibly: 18+ (21+ where required)
The Minnesota Lottery offers 4 broad types of game, from the headline multi-state jackpots down to everyday numbers draws and instant Scratchers. Each type is set out below, with the games sold in Minnesota named in full. Rules, prices and exact odds are confirmed on the official lottery; the game pages linked here cover the national draws in detail.
National jackpot games
The big multi-state jackpots — Powerball, Mega Millions and Lotto America — are sold across Minnesota through the Minnesota Lottery. Their top prizes roll over until won and routinely climb into the hundreds of millions, with the same number matrix used in every participating state.
In-state draw games
Run only in Minnesota, Gopher 5 and North 5 are the Minnesota Lottery’s own jackpot draws, with prize tiers and number pools set by the state. Odds are typically friendlier than the national games, with smaller — but more frequently won — top prizes.
Daily & numbers games
For a quick daily flutter, the Minnesota Lottery runs Pick 3 — short, fast numbers and cash games drawn once or twice a day with fixed or pari-mutuel prizes. They carry far shorter odds than the jackpot draws, which is what makes them popular for regular play.
Instant Scratchers
Pre-printed scratch-off tickets are sold statewide by Minnesota Lottery retailers across a range of price points and themes. Prizes are revealed instantly, and the lottery publishes the odds and remaining top prizes for each Scratcher so players can see what is still in play.
How to play in Minnesota
For any Minnesota Lottery game you choose your numbers (or ask for a quick pick), confirm the draw you’re entering, and keep your ticket safe until results are published. Scratchers are played on the spot — buy, scratch and check against the official prize structure.
Checking results and claiming
Winning numbers for every game are posted by the Minnesota Lottery after each draw. The official lottery is always the source of truth: validate any ticket through its channels, and note that larger prizes follow a formal claim process with deadlines set by the state. Our guide to checking results walks through the steps.
Odds and responsible play
The odds of every draw are fixed and published — no system or pattern changes them. Treat the lottery as entertainment, set a budget you’re comfortable with, and step away if it stops being fun. See how lottery odds work for the full picture.
Frequently asked questions
Which lottery operates in Minnesota?
Minnesota is served by the Minnesota Lottery, the official body responsible for the state’s draw games, instant tickets and prize payouts.
Can I play Powerball, Mega Millions and Lotto America in Minnesota?
Yes. As a participating jurisdiction, Minnesota offers Powerball, Mega Millions and Lotto America alongside its own in-state games through the Minnesota Lottery.
What in-state games does Minnesota have?
Beyond the national draws, the Minnesota Lottery runs Gopher 5, North 5 and Pick 3, plus a range of instant Scratchers.
How do I check Minnesota results?
Winning numbers are published by the Minnesota Lottery at each official draw time. The official lottery is always the source of truth — validate any ticket through its channels before celebrating.