New York Lotto | Game Information & How to Play NY Lotto (2024)

Is the New York lottery your choice for your next entry? If so, here you’ll find everything you need to know about New York Lotto. From NY lottery game information and payout details to odds and statistics, we’ve got you covered.

Draws are held on Wednesday and Saturday evenings at 8:15 PM ET. You can select the link beside the result to view payouts, including the number of winners on each level and their prize values.

New York Lotto Overview

New York Lotto is a draw game exclusive to the Empire State, with a starting jackpot of $2 million. Players are required to match six numbers from a possible 59 to win the jackpot. Tickets cost $1 for two plays.

A total of seven numbers are drawn, with the final number acting as the Bonus number and offering players the chance to win a bigger prize when they match five main numbers plus the Bonus ball. There are a further three prize tiers for players matching three, four or five numbers, with all prize tiers being pari-mutuel, with the exception of the Match 3 prize.

You may also find these pages useful:

New York Lotto Odds Table

Players must pick 6 balls from a pool of 59. (Bonus Balls are drawn from the same pool)

*In each draw, 40% of sales is allocated as prizes. The prizes shown are percentages of this prize pool.

New York Lotto History

• 1966
  The New York Lottery organization was established in 1966, although there have been various other lotteries played in the state since the end of the 19th century when the proceeds were used to build government establishments and to subsidize sporting events and education.
• 1978
  The New York Lotto was introduced in November 1978 and was initially played every Saturday until a Wednesday draw was added in 1983.
• 1985
  The matrix started as a 6/44 game, before four more numbers were added to the range in February 1985, taking it up to 6/48. It has since evolved into its current format, with players required to pick six from 59.
• 1991
  The record New York Lotto jackpot is $90 million and was shared between nine ticket holders on 26th January 1991.
• 2007
  The largest prize claimed by a single player is $65 million and went to maintenance man Degli Martinez on 29th June 2007.

How to Claim a Prize

Depending on how much you've won, there are different options to redeem your prize.

$600 and Below

There are three ways to claim prizes of $600 and under:

• Cash your ticket instantly at any Lottery retailer
• Make an appointment to visit one of the Lottery's Customer Service Centers
• Mail your claim to the Lottery. Make a copy of the front and back of your ticket for safekeeping. Registered mail or other trackable sending is recommended and remember to include your return address. Send the original ticket to:

New York Lottery
PO Box 7533,
Schenectady, NY 12301-7533

$601 and Above

To redeem winning tickets worth $601 and up, you will need the following documents so that the New York Lottery can verify your identity and that you are the rightful winner:

• Winning ticket (sign it and complete the back)
• Completed claim form
• Valid government-issued identification
• Social Security Number or FEIN

For security, make a copy of the front and back of your ticket and form before claiming.

There are various ways to claim a prize of more than $600. You do not even have to claim it in person if you would prefer to mail in your winning ticket. Choose one of the options below:

• Make an appointment to visit one of the Lottery's Customer Service Centers
• Claim at your nearest Prize Claim Center - no appointment needed
• Mail your claim to the Lottery - follow the steps above.

New York Lotto Quick Stats

New York Lotto's hot numbers have been making waves recently, while the cold ones seem elusive. Dive deeper into our statistics with the button below.

See more New York Lotto stats