New York Lotto Prizes
New York Lotto jackpots begin at US$2 million but regularly rise well above that due to rollovers. There are five New York Lotto winning prize tiers in total.
New York Lotto Prize Tiers and Winning Odds
Players pay US$1 for two lines, choosing six numbers from 1 to 59 and winning the jackpot by matching them all. A Bonus Ball is also drawn on the night and increases the prize when matched by someone who has also matched five main numbers.
Here are the prize tiers and the chances of winning for each:
| Numbers Matched | Odds of winning (each line) | Odds for a US$1 play (2 lines) |
|---|---|---|
| Six | 1 in 45,057,474.00 | 1 in 22,528,737.00 |
| Five + Bonus | 1 in 7,509,579.00 | 1 in 3,754,789.50 |
| Five | 1 in 144,414.98 | 1 in 72,207.49 |
| Four | 1 in 2,179.85 | 1 in 1,089.92 |
| Three | 1 in 96.17 | 1 in 48.08 |
Ticket holders are awarded US$1 for matching three numbers, with the other prize payouts dependent on ticket sales and the number of winning players within that tier. If the jackpot is not won then it will roll over, often reaching eight figures before it is won. In addition, the second-tier prize will also roll over if not won in a particular draw. The odds for winning any New York Lotto prize are 1 in 46.02.
In July 2007, Degli Martinez of Queens in New York City was awarded a record US$65 million jackpot a year after the date of the draw in which he won. Martinez possessed the jackpot receipt but had lost the winning ticket, meaning that the payout was not as straightforward as usual. The case was investigated by the police and when the one year deadline for collecting the winnings passed without anyone else coming forward, he was awarded his prize.