These States Have Sold The Most Winning Lottery Tickets
Lottery games such as Powerball and Mega Millions were introduced across the United States to fund state programs and give people a chance to win massive jackpots. Indiana, Missouri, and Minnesota were among the first states to join Powerball, quickly seeing a collection of jackpot winners. Indiana leads with 39 jackpot wins. This record comes from the state's early involvement and residents' support in these games. Missouri is close behind with 31 Powerball jackpot winners, thanks to its strong lottery culture. Minnesota also performs well, with 22 Powerball winners. The state's long-term involvement gives it an advantage over states that came later.
Mega Millions grew bigger over time, with more states joining in. At first, not every state sold tickets, but in 2010, the "cross-sell expansion" rule let states sell tickets for both Powerball and Mega Millions. This spread the games further and increased the number of winners, especially in states with high ticket sales. Players could now try their luck in both games, leading to bigger jackpots and more people playing.
Why certain states win more
Since the 2010 agreement, states like New York and California have become hotspots for lottery players. These, alongside New Jersey, lead in Mega Millions jackpots. By 2024, New York tops in Mega Millions jackpots, producing 43 winners. The largest win was a staggering $476 million in April 2023, claimed by a lucky New Yorker, Johnnie Taylor, from Queens. California isn't left out, with 39 Mega Millions winners, including the largest-ever Powerball jackpot of $2.04 billion. New Jersey isn't far behind with 25 winners.
We can also credit high ticket sales for producing more lottery winners because the more tickets a state sells increases the chances of winners. Take New Jersey, for example. The state has 25 Mega Millions jackpot winners under its belt but it is not all luck; it's from strategic positioning. New Jersey sits between New York and Pennsylvania, so it gets a steady stream of hopeful travelers grabbing tickets as souvenirs. You could say it's winning by association. And then there's Texas. Everything's bigger in the Lone Star State, including its lottery game. With over 31 million residents and a $8.73 billion in ticket sales in 2023 (per Statista), Texas proves that being big comes with big rewards for players as well as Uncle Sam and state tax coffers.
Playing across states lines
You can buy lottery tickets in any state, no matter where you live, so you are not limited to your home turf. And if you win, the ticket is valid regardless of whether you're in a different state at the time of winning. Also, what you win will be recorded in favor of the state where you bought the ticket, not your home state, particularly if it's a state where gambling is illegal. So, if a Pennsylvanian buys a Powerball ticket in New Jersey and hits the jackpot, New Jersey gets the glory.
On claiming your prize, it depends on the nature of your lottery. For smaller lotteries that offer jackpots of around $100,000 you can often claim at authorized retailers in many states. However, if you win a larger jackpot, you'll need to visit a lottery office in the state where you bought the ticket. Note, when you play the lottery across state lines, there are tax implications. Winning across state lines could mean paying taxes in both the state where you won and your home state. Double the luck, double the paperwork. Each state sets its own tax rules though, so know the details beforehand so it doesn't cost you a win. For instance, in this U.S. state, you cant remain anonymous after winning the lottery.