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How to Play NY Lotto

It’s really easy to play Lotto in New York - you can either visit a local retailer or, even easier, order your tickets online! On this page you can find a step-by-step guide for whichever way you want to take part. After you’ve got your numbers, just wait to find out whether you’ve won a prize - potentially even the multimillion-dollar jackpot.

Draws take place on Wednesday and Saturday evenings at 8:15 PM ET. Ticket sales close 15 minutes earlier at 8:00 PM ET, so keep the cut-off time in mind if you tend to be a last-minute player.

Image of a shopping cart Playing at a Retailer

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    Start by heading to your local retailer. In fact, Lotto is available at all New York Lottery retail locations, from newsstands to gas stations. There are around 15,000 sales agents in the Empire State so you’re never too far away from somewhere you can play.
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    Pick up a playslip if you know which numbers you want to play. NY Lotto is a 6/59 game, which means you have to select six numbers from a range of 1 to 59. Use a black or blue pen, or a pencil, to mark your chosen numbers with a vertical line.
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    Lotto costs $1 for two plays, so you need to fill out at least two game panels on your playslip (two sets of six numbers from 1 to 59). You can play up to $5 for 10 games on a single playslip.
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    If you don’t have numbers you want to play, you can just ask the clerk for a Quick Pick and you will get a completely random selection. Alternatively, mark the QP box at the top left of the game panel.
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    You may play more than one draw at a time. Use the Multi Draw section on the playslip to indicate how many consecutive draws you wish to play - up to a maximum of 26. Leave blank if you only want to enter one draw.
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    Check your selections, then give your playslip to the retailer or insert it into the New York Lottery vending machine (if there’s one on-site). Pay for your purchase and keep the ticket safe.

Play It Again

If you already have a ticket from a drawing in the previous 30 days, you can ask to play it again and you will be given an identical entry for the next drawing. Hand in the ticket to receive it. It’s a quick and simple way to play, especially if you like to stick to the same numbers.

Playing Through a Lottery Courier

Instead of going to a New York Lottery retailer, you can sit at home and order tickets online. All you need is a phone or computer, then sign up with a lottery courier company to get started. Here’s how the process works at Jackpot.com:

NY Lotto Bonus Ball

When the NY Lotto draw takes place, six numbers are drawn from 1 to 59, followed by a Bonus Ball that is taken from the remaining 53 numbers. Here are a couple of key facts to remember about the Bonus Ball:

The Bonus Ball is just what it sounds like: an extra number, drawn after the six main numbers. It gives you a bonus chance to win an improved prize if five of your six numbers have already been drawn.

How to Win NY Lotto Prizes

To win a prize on Lotto, at least three of the numbers on your ticket must be the same as the numbers drawn by the NY Lottery. For more information about all the payout categories, go to the Odds and Prizes page.