Florida Lottery

The Florida lottery was established in 1986 after being passed into law by the state legislature. With the goal of improving public education, instant tickets went on sale in January of 1988 followed by the first draw game in April of that year. In 2008, it was announced that Florida would join the trans-state Powerball game – five years later it started selling Mega Million tickets, becoming the 43rd US state to do so. Annual charitable contributions, particularly in education, consistently top the $1 billion mark with over $52.4 billion worth of prize money handed out.

The Games and Odds

  • Powerball (5/69 + 1/26) – Odds of winning: 1 in 292,201,338
  • Mega Millions (5/75 +1/15) – Odds of winning: 1 in 258,890,850
  • Florida Lotto (6/53) – Odds of winning: 1 in 22,957,480
  • Cash 4 Life (5/60 + 1/4) – Odds of winning: 1 in 21,846,048
  • Lucky Money (4/47 + 1/17) – Odds of winning: 1 in 3,032,205
  • Fantasy 5 (5/36) – Odds of winning: 1 in 376,992

Powerball

Powerball is a multi-jurisdictional draw-based game with a 5/69 + 1/26 structure. 5 balls are drawn from a pool of 69 as well as an additional ‘Powerball’ from a smaller pool of 26. The use of this format means that the odds of winning a jackpot are a daunting 1 in 292,201,338.

  • Biggest Payout (Florida) – $590.5 million (£461 million)
  • Draw Days – Wednesday, Saturday

Powerball Lottery Ticket

All Powerball tickets feature five game boards from which the main numbers are selected from 69 check boxes. Underneath each are the Mega Ball panels that include a quick pick box for random number selection. To the left of the play slip is the Mega Play option which multiplies all non-jackpot prizes. The rather elaborate layout also comprises an advanced play section for players to choose consecutive draws and a Jackpot Combo Box allowing participants to try their luck with other games such as the Florida Lotto and Mega Millions.

How to Win Powerball

  • 5 correct numbers with Powerball
  • 5 correct numbers
  • 4 correct numbers with Powerball
  • 4 correct numbers
  • 3 correct numbers with Powerball
  • 3 correct numbers with Powerball
  • 2 correct numbers with Powerball
  • 1 correct number with Powerball
  • Powerball

Mega Millions

Mega Millions was established in 1996 replacing the Big Game. It is operated in 44 states and follows a 5/75 + 1/15 format where 5 numbers are chosen from a pool of 75 and a supplementary number from a smaller pot of 15. The odds of winning a jackpot are similar to Power Ball at 1 in 258,890,850.

  • Biggest Payout – $414 million (£324 million)
  • Draw Days –Tuesday, Friday

Mega Millions Lottery Ticket

Mega Millions lottery tickets also include five play boards. They comprise of 75 check boxes for the selection of main numbers and another 15 beneath them for the ‘Mega Ball’. A Mega Plier option is also included which multiplies all non-jackpot prizes if chosen. As with the Power Ball play slip, quick pick, advanced play and a jackpot combo box also feature.

How to be a Mega Millions Winner

  • 5 correct numbers with Mega Ball
  • 5 correct numbers, no Mega Ball
  • 4 correct numbers with Mega Ball
  • 4 correct numbers, no Mega Ball
  • 3 correct numbers with Mega Ball
  • 3 correct numbers, no Mega Ball
  • 2 correct numbers with Mega Ball
  • 1 correct number with Mega Ball
  • Mega Ball Only

Florida Lottery

The Florida Lottery is an in-state draw-based game with follows a unique 6/53 format. Six balls are chosen from a set of 53 with an ‘XTRA’ option included which multiplies non-jackpot winnings. The odds of winning a jackpot stand at 1 in 22,957,480.

  • Biggest Payout – $37 million (£29 million)
  • Draw Days – Wednesday, Saturday

Florida Lottery Ticket

The Florida Lottery Ticket closely follows the Mega Millions and Powerball branding. There are 10 panels labelled A-J with quick pick boxes for random number selection. An XTRA box is also included as with the other games as well as an ‘advanced play’ section for the numbers to be used for consecutive draws.

How to Win at the Florida Lotto

  • 6 correct numbers
  • 5 correct numbers
  • 4 correct numbers
  • 3 correct numbers
  • 2 correct numbers

Cash 4 Life

Cash 4 Life is another multi-state lottery. Created in 2014 and initially restricted to New York and New Jersey, the game has since expanded to 9 other states including Florida. Its 5/60 + 1/4 format means that five numbers are drawn from 60 and another ‘Cash Ball’ from a smaller pot of 4. The odds of landing the jackpot are 1 in 21,846,048.

  • Biggest Payout – $1 million (£783 million)
  • Draw Days –Monday, Thursday

Cash 4 Life Lottery Ticket

The Cash 4 Life Lottery Ticket comprises five game boards labelled A – E, with 60 selection boxes, beneath which are the ‘Cash Ball’ sections. An advanced play column is located at the top of each ticket which allows players to choose the same numbers for up to 26 draws. To the left is another quick pick box for the next draw.

How to Win at Cash 4 Life

  • 5 correct numbers with Cash Ball
  • 5 correct numbers
  • 4 correct numbers with Cash Ball
  • 4 correct numbers
  • 3 correct numbers with Cash Ball
  • 3 correct numbers
  • 2 correct numbers with Cash Ball
  • 2 correct numbers
  • 1 correct numbers with Cash Ball

Lucky Money

Lucky Money is an in-state lottery game exclusive to Florida, with a 4/47 + 1/15 structure -players are required to choose four numbers from 47 as well as an additional ‘Lucky Ball’. It features a minimum jackpot of $500,000 and a maximum of $2,000.000. The chances of winning a jackpot are 1 in 3,032,205.

  • Biggest Payout – $2,000.000
  • Draw Days – Tuesday, Friday

Lucky Money Lottery Ticket

As with the Cash 4 Life ticket, the Lucky Money play slip features five game boards. There are 47 selection boxes, underneath which are 17 for ‘Lucky Ball’ selection. As well as the advanced player column at the top of the ticket, there’s also an EZmatch option to the left of the ticket and underneath each game board. When a player selects EZmatch, instant prize amounts are printed below the Lucky Money numbers on a ticket. If a player matches any of the first four EZmatch numbers, they win a prize.

How to Win at Lucky Money

  • 4 correct numbers with Lucky Ball
  • 4 correct numbers
  • 3 correct numbers with Lucky Ball
  • 3 correct numbers
  • 2 correct numbers with Lucky Ball
  • 2 correct numbers
  • 1 correct number with Lucky Ball
  • Lucky Ball

Fantasy 5

Fantasy 5 is a low yield game which follows a standard 5/36 format; quite common for draw-based lotteries. Five numbers are selected from a pool of 36 with the chances of winning a jackpot at 1 in 376,992.

  • Biggest Payout – $200,000 (£156,000)
  • Draw Days –Monday to Sunday

Fantasy 5 Lottery Ticket

Fantasy 5 Lottery tickets consist of 10 game boards which are labelled A – J. These contain 36 numbered selection boxes and one quick pick box for random number selection. As is the case with Lucky Money, there’s also an EZmatch option in which players can instantly match numbers printed on the play slip. A quick picks option is also found to the left of each ticket for the next draw.

How to Win at Fantasy 5

  • 5 correct numbers
  • 4 correct numbers
  • 3 correct numbers
  • 2 correct numbers

Biggest Ever Lottery Win in Florida – $590.5 million (£461 million) – Powerball

Gloria Mackenzie won the largest ever lottery jackpot in Florida. In May of 2013 she was awarded $590.5 million after playing Powerball. Using the ‘quick-pick’ method, Mackenzie scooped the entire prize as the sole ticket holder.