United States Lottery Rankings 2025

USA Lotteries Overview

The United States lottery market is the largest in the world, with total sales exceeding $100 billion annually across all states and territories. American lotteries are divided into two main categories: multi-state lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions that operate across dozens of states, and single-state lotteries operated by individual states like California, Florida, and New York.

Multi-state lotteries pool ticket sales from participating states to create enormous jackpots that can reach into the billions of dollars. These games offer consistent rules and prize structures across all participating jurisdictions. In contrast, state lotteries operate independently, offering a variety of games tailored to their local markets, from draw games and scratch-offs to keno and monitor games.

Multi-State Lotteries

Multi-state lottery games are coordinated across multiple jurisdictions to create larger prize pools and bigger jackpots. The four major multi-state lotteries operating in the United States are Powerball (45 states), Mega Millions (45 states), Cash4Life (10 states), and Lotto America (13 states). These games are managed by consortiums that ensure consistent rules, draw procedures, and prize structures across all participating states.

State Lotteries

State lotteries operate independently within their jurisdictions, offering a diverse portfolio of games including multi-state games, state-exclusive draw games, instant win scratch-offs, and fast-play games. The three largest state lotteries by annual sales are Florida ($9.42 billion), California ($9.28 billion), and New York ($10.6 billion including video gaming). Each state lottery generates revenue that supports education, infrastructure, environmental programs, and other public services.

USA Lottery Comparison Table

Compare the key features of multi-state and single-state lotteries to find the games that match your preferences. This table shows minimum ticket prices, starting jackpots or top prizes, and annual sales revenue where available. Multi-state lotteries offer the largest jackpots through pooled sales, while state lotteries provide diverse game portfolios and consistent revenue for local programs.

How to Choose the Right Lottery

When selecting which lottery to play, consider your priorities: Do you want the largest possible jackpots? Then multi-state games like Powerball and Mega Millions are ideal, offering life-changing prizes that start at $20-50 million and can grow into the billions. Looking for better odds? State-exclusive games often have more favorable odds than multi-state games, though with smaller prizes. Want to play daily? Games like Cash4Life, Hot Spot, and various state Pick games offer daily draws. Consider the cost-to-prize ratio: Lotto America at $1 per ticket offers excellent value, while Mega Millions at $5 includes a built-in multiplier feature.

Remember that lottery revenues support important public programs in every state. In California and Florida, lottery proceeds fund public education. In New York, lottery revenue supports K-12 education statewide. Other states direct lottery funds to environmental conservation, senior citizen programs, economic development, and general state services. By playing responsibly, you're contributing to these beneficial programs while enjoying the excitement of the game.