The Wisconsin Lottery sold its first tickets on September 14, 1988. Since then, the WI Lottery has grown and expanded to include all sorts of games, both those that are still running and those that are relics of the past.
Wisconsin was the first state outside of the original seven to adopt Powerball, which was then known as Lotto America. This is a lottery that has paid out over $11 billion in prizes and also put forth over $6 billion to help Wisconsin homeowners with property tax credits.
Players must be 18 years or older and tickets can only be purchased at a Wisconsin Lottery retailer, as the state does not yet allow online or mobile sales.
Wisconsin Lottery Games
There are eight draw games in Wisconsin, including the multi-state drawings for Powerball and Mega Millions. Several other state-specific draw games are joined by the recently-released option of Fast Play Games, giving players another chance to win.
Scratch Games, Pull-Tabs, and Raffles are also part of the catalog for the Wisconsin Lottery. Players should also be on the lookout for special games and promotions about the state’s sports teams, including the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, and Milwaukee Brewers.
Wisconsin Lottery Draw Games
Powerball
As mentioned, Wisconsin has technically been part of Powerball since the early days, adding what was then Lotto America in 1989. Lotto America was renamed Powerball in 1992.
Powerball is drawn on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 9:59 p.m. CT and is a six-number draw with basic numbers from 1 to 69 and a Powerball from 1 to 26. Each play costs $2 and players can select their own numbers or allow the computer to pick for them.
The Jackpot starts at $20 million and grows with each draw without a winner. Along with the base $2 play, players can add the Power Play feature for an extra dollar for a chance to multiply non-Jackpot winnings.
Ticket sales are cut off at 9 p.m. CT on drawing nights.
Mega Millions
Wisconsin was one of many states to join the Mega Millions game in 2010. This is another six-number draw game with five basic numbers from 1 to 70 and a Mega Ball from 1 to 25. The Jackpot for this game also starts at $20 million and grows from there.
Mega Millions costs $2 per play and numbers are drawn on Tuesday and Friday at 10 p.m. CT. The Megaplier is an optional $1 add-on that multiplies non-Jackpot prizes.
Ticket sales are cut off at 9 p.m. CT on drawing nights.
Megabucks with EZ Match
Megabucks is the Wisconsin-exclusive lotto draw game. Players get two “panels” for $1, which is how the Wisconsin Lottery defines a line or a set of numbers. Players can pick their own numbers or have the computer select for them.
This is a six-number draw game with balls ranging from 1 to 49. Drawings are held on Wednesday and Saturday just after 9 p.m. CT and ticket sales are cut off just before 9 p.m. on those nights.
For an extra $1 per set of two plays, players can add the EZ Match option, which will be selected by the lottery terminal and feature instant-win prizes for matching your numbers with the EZ Match numbers.
The Jackpot rolls over on this game as well until a winner is found.
Badger 5
The Wisconsin Lottery also offers the Badger 5, which is a daily draw game held just after 9 p.m. CT. Ticket sales are cut off just before 9 p.m. CT.
Five numbers are drawn in this game with a range from 1 to 31. Matching all of them wins the Jackpot, which is based on the number of sales. Matching four of the five numbers wins $50.
Each play costs $1 and there are no add-ons or bonuses.
Supercash
Supercash is another draw game offered by the Wisconsin Lottery, but with six numbers. This game features numbers from 1 to 39 and players get two plays for $1.
With this daily drawing, the top prize is $350,000 and numbers are drawn after 9 p.m. CT, with ticket sales cut off just before the top of the hour.
Supercash also offers a Doubler Feature, which does not apply to the Jackpot, but applies to the other prize amounts. The Doubler is included in the cost of a ticket and is selected at random by the lottery, so it doesn’t always happen.
All or Nothing
The WI Lottery has a unique game called All or Nothing, which is drawn twice a day, with a Midday draw at 1:30 p.m. CT and an Evening drawing at 9 p.m. CT. Each play with this game costs $2.
Players have to select 11 numbers ranging from 1 to 22. The goal is to match all 11 or zero of the 11 to win $100,000. Prizes are awarded for matching 0, 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, or 11 numbers.
It is worth noting that there is a maximum top prize of $2,000,000 for any single drawing, so if there are more than 20 winners, all winners split the $2 million equally.
Pick 4
Two drawings are held daily for the Wisconsin Lottery Pick 4, with drawings at 1:30 p.m. CT and 9 p.m. CT. Four numbers ranging from 0 to 9 are drawn and players hope to match them either Straight or Box (in any order).
Each play costs either 50 cents or $1, but there are multiple play types for the “Box” option of 4-way, 6-way, 12-way, or 24-way. Each play would cost money.
The top prize for matching the number Straight is $5,000 on a $1 wager.
Pick 3
Two drawings are also held daily for the Pick 3 at 1:30 p.m. CT and 9 p.m. CT. Three numbers are drawn ranging from 0 to 9 to make a three-digit number. This game features play types of Straight, Box, or Straight/Box, with each play costing 50 cents or $1, except for the Straight/Box plays, which always cost $1.
3-way and 6-way boxes are available with this game, which features a top prize of $500 for matching the Pick 3 Straight.
10 Buck Luck
Wisconsin offers a package deal called 10 Buck Luck. With this package, players get:
$2 Powerball
$2 Mega Millions
$2 All or Nothing
$1 Megabucks
$1 Supercash
$1 Badger 5
$.50 Pick 4 (box)
$.50 Pick 3 (box)
Not a bad deal for those who want to spread their chances around!
Wisconsin Lottery Fast Play Games
The WI Lottery debuted Fast Play Games in April 2023, with tickets costing $1, $2, $5, or $10. The Fast Play Progressive Jackpot is eligible at each level, but players can only win 10% for a $1 ticket, 20% for a $2 ticket, 50% for a $5 ticket, or 100% for a $10 ticket.
There are other prize amounts that are not the Progressive Jackpot. These games are drawn at random by a Wisconsin Lottery Terminal and can only be purchased at approved Wisconsin Lottery retailers.
There are a few different games with different rules, prize symbols, and cash amounts. Think of these as scratchless Scratch Games.
Wisconsin Lottery Scratch Games
For those who prefer the traditional Scratch Game, the Wisconsin Lottery has you covered. Wisconsin has Scratch Games at varying denominations with a wide array of themes, including plenty of seasonal and holiday tickets.
Scratch Games cost $1, $2, $3, $5, $10, $15, $20, $30, or $50 and top prizes go up accordingly based on the game and the denomination.
The Wisconsin Lottery Mobile App, website, and some retailers will list the remaining top prizes for each game.
Wisconsin Lottery Pull-Tab Games
In true Midwest fashion, the Wisconsin Lottery continues to offer Pull-Tab Games. These are 50 cents, $1, or $2 and are basically instant-win games that don’t require scratching, but require pulling on the perforated tabs to reveal symbols or cash prizes.
Wisconsin Lottery App
The Wisconsin Lottery Mobile App is a handy tool for checking tickets, storing your favorite numbers, finding the nearest retailer, checking into promotions and second-chance opportunities, and looking at the most recent draw results.
Players can also create a digital Playslip to save time when they get to an approved Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
The lottery also has a Players Club to receive daily emails, giveaway alerts, and more.
Lottery tickets cannot be purchased on the app. They can only be purchased in-person.
How To Claim Wisconsin Lottery Prizes
Prizes up to $599 can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer. They can also be claimed at the lottery office in Madison or Milwaukee. They can also be claimed via mail to PO Box 777 in Madison, WI, 53774. A completed claim form must be included with a mailed ticket.
Prizes from $600 to $199,999 can be claimed at the Madison or Milwaukee lottery offices. They can also be claimed via mail to the above address with the necessary paperwork. It is recommended that all mailed winning tickets be sent via registered or certified mail.
Prizes of $200,000 or more can only be claimed at the Madison lottery office.
For payouts of $2,000 or more, a 7.65% state tax is taken out. For prizes of $5,000 or more, the state tax is still 7.65%, plus the federal withholding tax of 24%.
Wisconsin Lottery Frequently Asked Questions
Can Wisconsin Lottery Tickets Be Purchased Online?
No. Lottery tickets can only be purchased at approved retailers. Third-party sellers like Jackpocket and Jackpot.com are not approved retailers in Wisconsin.
How Many Wisconsin Lottery Retailers Are There?
There are over 3,600 approved lottery retailers in the state of Wisconsin.
How Old Do I Have To Be To Play The Wisconsin Lottery?
Players must be 18 years of age or older to enjoy the Wisconsin Lottery.