New York lottery guide
The New York Lottery is one of the largest in North America by sales.
The essentials
- Official lottery: New York Lottery
- National jackpot games: Powerball, Mega Millions
- Game types available: 6 (national, in-state, daily, keno, Scratchers)
- Play responsibly: 18+ (21+ where required)
The New York Lottery offers 6 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 New York 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 and Mega Millions — are sold across New York through the New York 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.
“For life” games
New York also offers Millionaire for Life, where the headline prize is paid as a set amount every day or week for the rest of the winner’s life rather than as a single lump sum.
In-state draw games
Run only in New York, New York Lotto is the New York Lottery’s own jackpot draw, 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 New York Lottery runs Numbers, Win 4, Take 5 and Pick 10 — 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.
Keno & fast-draw
Quick Draw is a fast, monitor-style draw repeated throughout the day at many New York retailers, letting players pick how many numbers to match and how much to stake on each draw.
Instant Scratchers
Pre-printed scratch-off tickets are sold statewide by New York 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 New York
For any New York 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 New York 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 New York?
New York is served by the New York Lottery, the official body responsible for the state’s draw games, instant tickets and prize payouts.
Can I play Powerball and Mega Millions in New York?
Yes. As a participating jurisdiction, New York offers Powerball and Mega Millions alongside its own in-state games through the New York Lottery.
What in-state games does New York have?
Beyond the national draws, the New York Lottery runs New York Lotto, Numbers, Win 4, Take 5 and Pick 10, plus a range of instant Scratchers.
How do I check New York results?
Winning numbers are published by the New York Lottery at each official draw time. The official lottery is always the source of truth — validate any ticket through its channels before celebrating.