Connecticut Lottery Information (2024)

Whether you're a fan of Lotto or just enjoy taking a shot at Cash 5, you'll find all the latest Connecticut Lottery information right here, including how to buy tickets, draw schedule, game details, and how to claim prizes.

Since the Lottery started in 1972, it has transferred more than $10.6 billion to the Connecticut General Fund to support key services in the state such as health and education. In the same period, players have won over $20 billion in prize money.

Buying Connecticut Lottery Tickets

If you want to buy Connecticut Lottery tickets but you live outside the Constitution State, you can always make a visit to an authorized retailer in the state to make your purchases. Tickets cannot be purchased with credit cards.

Connecticut Lottery Drawing Schedule

Need a hand choosing which exciting Connecticut game to play today? Use the timetable below to find out what is drawn when:

*Lucky Links game ended Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

Game Information

Lottery fans in Connecticut can play Powerball, Mega Millions and Lucky for Life in addition to a number of in-state games outlined below. Other Connecticut Lottery games include 5 Card Cash and special Super Draws that take place throughout the year. If you're in the mood to play CT Lottery games but you don't want to wait for a drawing to take place, why not try out the scratch games they offer? Available to buy from any authorized retailer, these instant win games could see you land a major cash prize in just a couple of minutes. Tickets cost between $1 and $30 and the prize amounts can be astronomical!

Lotto

Lotto is a Connecticut Lottery game that fans have enjoyed for over 30 years. Lotto features a rolling jackpot that's worth a minimum of $1 million, and draws are held every Tuesday and Friday night.

Cash 5

Cash 5 is a five-digit game with draws every night at 10:29 PM for prizes up to $100,000; players can also try the Kicker add-on for more chances to win.

Play 3

Play 3 offers two chances every day to hit prizes of up to $2,500 - win the top prize by by matching all three numbers drawn. The Day draw is held at 1:57 PM and the Night draw takes place at 10:29 PM seven days a week. Play your way with a range of play types and tickets as low as $0.50. Try the Wild Ball add-on to increase the chances of taking home a prize.

Play 4

Play 4 has a top prize of $25,000 that can be won twice every day, with a Day draw at 1:57 PM and a Night draw at 10:29 PM. A variety of play types and bets offers something for every Lottery fan, and the Wild Ball add-on provides an extra way to win.

Wild Ball

Wild Ball is an add-on option for Play 3 and Play 4 that creates more chances to score a prize.

A Wild Ball Number from 0 to 9 is drawn after each Play 3 drawing. A separate Wild Ball number is randomly chosen after each Play 4 drawing.

How does Wild Ball increase the chances of a payout? Use the Wild Ball number to replace one of the main game numbers drawn by the Lottery for more ways to make a winning match. Note that Wild Ball does not change the numbers on your ticket; it simply gives you more ways to match the numbers drawn by the Lottery.

Let's use Play 3 as an example. You choose the numbers 253 on your ticket. The Lottery draws the numbers 153. You don't have a winning match. Now, a Wild Ball number of 2 is drawn. Use that number to replace one of the Lottery's numbers - you can make 253, 123, or 152. See that? Using Wild Ball, you created a match with the Lottery's numbers - 253. Congratulations, you're a winner!

Adding Wild Ball doubles the cost of your play and must be added when you buy your ticket.

Claiming Connecticut Lottery Prizes

Prizes of up to $50,000 can be claimed via mail - see below for details.

Won up to $599? You can also redeem your winnings at any authorized Connecticut Lottery retailer.

For prizes worth between $600 and $5,000, you can claim your winnings at a High-Tier Claim Center or at the Lottery Headquarters in Wallingford. Just bring the winning ticket and two forms of ID, such as a driver's license or a state ID.

If you win a prize worth $50,000 or more you'll need to claim at the lottery office in person.

If you're lucky enough to win more than $5,000, 24% of your prize will be withheld for federal taxes and the State of Connecticut will levy a tax of 6.99%.

Prizes won in draw games like Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto!, Cash5 and Lucky for Life will expire 180 days from the date of the drawing. If you win a prize on a scratchcard game, you will have 180 days from the announced end-of-game date to claim your winnings.

Claim a prize by mail

Players can claim all prizes of less than $50,000 by mail. Send the following documents:

1. Signed original ticket
2. Two types of ID with your signature (e.g. driver's license or passport), one of which must be a photo ID

Mail to:

CT Lottery Claims Dept.
15 Sterling Drive
Wallingford, CT 06492

History of the Connecticut Lottery

The Connecticut Lottery was established in June 1971 through Public Act no. 865 after Representative John Miscikoski championed legislation proposing the establishment of a state lottery for almost a decade. The first tickets went on sale in February 1972 and more games were introduced in the following years. Ticket sales for Powerball began in November 1995 and the state joined Mega Millions in 2010. March 2012 saw the premiere of Lucky for Life, which has become a successful interstate lottery game.

Today, 28 cents of every dollar raised through Connecticut Lottery ticket sales is allocated to the state's General Fund, which helps provide vital funding to state services such as public health, hospitals, education, human services and conservation and development. Over $8.2 billion has been raised for the General Fund since 1972.

Rules

If you want to play Connecticut Lottery games, you need be at least 18 years old.