Which US State Has the Most Lottery Winners?

The Powerball and Mega Millions have awarded record-breaking jackpots to winners. Anytime the jackpot grows to huge amounts, it is natural to think about what you might buy if you win. Buy a new house? Chase your childhood dream? Quit your day job? The options are limitless. Many people across the various states in the U.S. have won life-changing jackpots and gone on to pursue their dreams.

In this article, we will talk about which state has the most lottery winners, along with the statistics and numbers that show where the luckiest state in the U.S. is. Who knows? You may become a lottery winner by buying your ticket from that state.

How We Rank the Winners by States

But before we delve into the states with the most lottery winners, let’s explain our methodology and establish how we came across our rankings of the luckiest states.

Luckiest States for Powerball

Records show that Indiana has the most Powerball jackpot winners. The game started on April 1992 in Indiana and has awarded huge jackpots to 39 winners.

Source: Florida Lottery

We also need to consider the year Powerball was launched in the respective states. Currently, Powerball is held in 45 states. But when it was first introduced, it was launched in just 15 states, including Indiana, Montana, Kansas, Delaware, Kentucky, Iowa, Idaho, Missouri, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, D.C., Minnesota.

It is expected that states where the Powerball first started have more winners. Indiana, Missouri, and Minnesota were among the first states that have the Powerball lottery, so it is no surprise that they top this list.

The table below shows the different states, the number of jackpot winners, and the year Powerball was introduced.

Luckiest States for Mega Millions

The state with the most Mega Millions jackpot winners in New York. It has 41 jackpot winners. Mega Millions was established in 2002, ten years after the Powerball. Before 2002, it was known as the Big Game. However, it rivals Power

ball in terms of huge jackpot and popularity in the United States.

Source: Michigan Lottery

Mega Millions has the record for the largest jackpot won on a single ticket – $1.537 billion in South Carolina in October 2018. Twenty-seven states have had jackpot winners in the Mega Millions lottery. However, like Powerball, we also need to consider that Mega Millions was introduced at different times to the various states in the country. Hence, states with earlier launch dates are likely to have more jackpot wins.

The table below shows the different states, the number of jackpot winners, and the year Mega Millions was introduced.

States With the Most Lottery Winners

Powerball and Mega Millions jackpot prizes roll over every draw and keep growing until a winner matches all the numbers in the draw. As a result, the jackpot prize can grow to hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. The table below shows the biggest jackpot wins by state.

Which State Has the Least Lottery Winners

Some states have not had a lottery winner from the Powerball and the Mega Millions. But, it is just a matter of time. Lottery winners will soon come from these states, provided that people keep playing the lottery. The states that have not won the Powerball or a Mega Millions jackpot are listed in the table below.

Conclusion: Which States Are the Luckiest for the Lottery?

The luckiest state is New York, followed by California and Indiana. Some states are luckier than others and have had more jackpot lottery winners. They have the most lottery winners in both the Powerball and the Mega Millions. The table below contains an overview of the luckiest states in the country.

Based on the number of winners and winning tickets sold, some states appear to have a higher share of lottery luck. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the lottery is entirely random so no state enjoy preferential treatment. As a result, you should only play it as a form of entertainment rather than a reliable investment strategy.

FAQs

What state has the most winning lottery tickets?
The state that has the most winning lottery tickets is New York. It has 53 lottery winners, including 12 Powerball and 41 Mega Millions winners. California comes next with 46 winners and Indiana with 41 winners.

Why does the East Coast always win the lottery?
East Coast states like New York, New Jersey, and North Carolina have won half of the Powerball and Mega Millions prizes since 2019. However, it is important to know that the winning numbers are always random, and there is no way to determine what state wins the lottery. Factors that may influence what state wins the lottery may include the population of lottery players in the state, how long the state has had the lottery, neighboring states without the lottery, urban states, and religious beliefs.

Which state lottery has the best odds?
The state lotteries with the best odds in the United States are the Kansas 2by2, Texas Cash Five, and Florida Fantasy 5. They have the most favorable odds in the country. However, it is important to note that the best odds does not mean the best prizes. Their prizes are smaller compared to the bigger, more challenging lotteries.

Who was the largest state lottery winner ever?
The largest single-state lottery winner won $1.537 billion from the Mega Millions lottery in South Carolina. The lottery winner claimed the prize anonymously. Powerball paid out a larger jackpot ($1.59 billion), but it was shared by three people.

What state has the most Mega Millions winners?

The state with the most Mega Millions winner is New York. There have been 41 winners in New York in its 21 years of operation in the state. California comes next with 35 winners.

What state has the most Powerball winners?

The state with the most Powerball winners is Indiana. This state has recorded 39 winners since its launch in 1992. Missouri is a close second at 31 winners.