Illinois Lotto
Illinois Lotto is a draw game exclusive to the Prairie State, with a jackpot that starts at $2 million and keeps growing until it is won. You are also automatically entered into the Lotto Million 1 and Lotto Million 2 drawings.
Lotto draws take place every Monday, Thursday and Saturday night at 9:22 PM CT. You can see the winning numbers here, find out more about how to play and learn about the Extra Shot feature that can boost payouts by up to 25 times.
How to Play
You can play Lotto online or in a retail store. It costs $2 per entry and you just need to pick six numbers from 1 to 50. You can see all the steps below, whether you are entering online or through a retailer.
Playing Online
If you play online, you can take part wherever you are, even if you’re at home, so long as you’ve got your phone, tablet or computer.
Choose six numbers between 1 and 50. If you want a random set, you can select the Quick Pick option and your numbers will be automatically generated by the computer.
Select the option to add Extra Shot to your play and a seventh number between 1 and 25 will be added to your line. It costs an additional $1 per line to add Extra Shot.
If you select a ‘Single Purchase’, you can play just the next Lotto draw or enter up to 12 consecutive draws. Alternatively, you can choose the ‘Subscription’ option and play up to 12 months in advance.
Once you are happy with your selections, press ‘Add to Cart’ and pay for your entries. You can delete a line by hitting the ‘trash’ icon next to it.
Playing in a Retail Store
You can also play Lotto at retailers in Illinois by following the steps below. You just need to make sure you keep your ticket safe so it can be checked after the draw.
Select your six numbers from 1 to 50. You can fill out a playslip or speak to the store clerk.
Decide whether to add Extra Shot to your ticket for an extra $1 per line.
Play your numbers in more draws. Simply tell the retailer how many consecutive draws you want to play.
Pay for your entries and wait for the draw to take place.
Lotto Extra Shot
Extra Shot increases your chances of winning, and can also boost the value of prizes. If you add this option, an extra number between 1 and 25 will be generated at random for you. You cannot pick your own Extra Shot number.
The Extra Shot number is selected from a separate set to the main numbers, so it is possible to have the same number twice on your line. The Extra Shot does not apply to Lotto Million 1 or Lotto Million 2.
How to Win
You win a prize on Lotto if you match two or more of your numbers to the winning numbers drawn. Prizes range from $2 up to the jackpot of $2 million or more.
If nobody matches all six numbers, the top prize rolls over to the following draw. It will continue to increase until someone matches all six numbers, which can lead to some very big jackpots. The top prize has even reached more than $60 million in the past.
If you added Extra Shot, you can win just by matching the Extra Shot number even if you don’t have any of the main numbers. Matching the Extra Shot also multiplies any prize you win that is lower than the jackpot. It does not boost the payout of the jackpot.
Prizes and Odds
The following table shows all the different prizes you can win on Lotto, whether you’ve added Extra Shot or not. There are five different ways to win in the base game, plus another six if you’ve played Extra Shot.
| Numbers Matched | Prize | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Jackpot | 1 in 15,890,700 |
| 5 + Extra Shot | Pari-mutuel (Match 5 prize x 25) | 1 in 1,504,801 |
| 5 | Pari-mutuel | 1 in 73,763 |
| 4 + Extra Shot | Pari-mutuel (Match 4 prize x 25) | 1 in 32,783 |
| 4 | Pari-mutuel | 1 in 1,311 |
| 3 + Extra Shot | $125 | 1 in 1,500 |
| 3 | $5 | 1 in 60 |
| 2 + Extra Shot | $25 | 1 in 195 |
| 2 | $2 | 1 in 7.8 |
| 1 + Extra Shot | $10 | 1 in 61 |
| 0 + Extra Shot | $5 | 1 in 56.3 |
| The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 6.9 in the base game | ||
Lotto Million 1
When you play Lotto, you automatically take part in Lotto Million 1 and Lotto Million 2 too. Your six numbers from the main game are entered into these two draws, which are entirely separate so you can win prizes in all three. To win Lotto Million 1 or Lotto Million 2, you need to match all six numbers. There are no prizes for matching fewer numbers.
| Numbers Matched | Prize | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | $1 million | 1 in 15,890,700 |
Lotto Million 2
Lotto Million 2 works in exactly the same as Lotto Million 1, with a jackpot of $1 million if you match all six numbers. If you match five or fewer numbers, you do not win a prize.
| Numbers Matched | Prize | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | $1 million | 1 in 15,890,700 |