Illinois Lotto

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.

1

Select Numbers

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.

2

Add Extra Shot?

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.

3

Choose How Many Draws

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.

4

Pay Your Entries

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.

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.

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.

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.