Florida Lotto Guide
Florida Lotto is a twice-weekly draw game run by the Florida Lottery, a state agency under the Department of Financial Services. Draws occur every Wednesday and Saturday at 11:15 PM Eastern Time. The game has operated since 1988, making it one of the longer-running lotteries in the US market.
How Florida Lotto Works
Florida Lotto is a 6/53 game. You pick 6 numbers from a pool of 1 to 53. The draw machine selects 6 winning numbers. You win the jackpot if all 6 match. There is no supplementary or bonus ball in Florida Lotto, unlike Powerball or Mega Millions. The game structure is straightforward: match your selection to the draw result.
A single ticket costs $1. You can play the same numbers on multiple future draws using a subscription. The lottery does not require a Quick Pick. You can choose all numbers manually.
Prize Tiers and Odds
Florida Lotto has 6 prize divisions. The odds of winning any prize are approximately 1 in 53.66. Here is the tier breakdown:
Tier 1 (Match 6 of 6): Jackpot. This is the main prize and starts at $2 million. The jackpot grows based on ticket sales and carry-overs from previous draws. You win by matching all 6 numbers in any order. The odds of hitting this tier are roughly 1 in 22,957,480.
Tier 2 (Match 5 of 6): You match 5 of the 6 drawn numbers. This prize is fixed. Odds are approximately 1 in 81,409.
Tier 3 (Match 4 of 6): You match 4 of the 6 numbers. Fixed prize. Odds are around 1 in 1,415.
Tier 4 (Match 3 of 6): You match 3 numbers. Fixed prize. Odds are approximately 1 in 71.
Tier 5 (Match 2 of 6): You match 2 numbers. Fixed prize. Odds are around 1 in 8.
Tier 6 (Match 1 of 6): You match 1 number. You receive a free ticket for the next draw. Odds are roughly 1 in 2.
The sum of all non-jackpot prize funds comes from revenue set aside in the prize pool. Each tier has a defined percentage of this pool, with tier 3 and tier 4 typically absorbing the largest shares. Jackpot prizes are divided equally among all tickets that match 6 numbers.
Draw Schedule and Ticket Cutoff
Florida Lotto draws occur every Wednesday and Saturday at 11:15 PM Eastern Time. Ticket sales close before each draw. The exact cutoff time depends on the retailer or platform, but it is typically 1 to 2 hours before the draw time. You must purchase or register your ticket before the cut-off to be eligible for that draw.
Results are announced immediately after the draw. The Florida Lottery publishes results on its website, and results are also displayed at retail locations.
Odds and Expected Value
The overall odds of winning any prize in Florida Lotto are approximately 1 in 53.66. This means that for every 53.66 tickets sold, one ticket wins some prize.
The expected value (EV) of a $1 ticket is negative. If you play repeatedly, you will lose money over time on average. Lottery games are structured so that a portion of ticket sales goes to the operator and state programs. The prize fund is the remainder. In most US lottery games, the prize fund covers 50 to 60 cents per dollar wagered. Florida Lotto follows this model.
The jackpot tier accounts for a large percentage of the prize fund, but the odds of winning it are extremely long. Most players who win money win tier 4, 5, or 6 prizes, which are much smaller than the advertised jackpot. Winning tier 1 is a once-in-millions event.
If you play in a lottery syndicate, you divide the cost and prize money among members. This does not improve your mathematical odds, but it allows you to play more combinations for a lower individual stake. A syndicate of 10 players buying 10 tickets together has the same odds of winning as 10 individuals buying 1 ticket each, but the cost is shared.
Tax Treatment
Florida has no state income tax. This is a significant advantage compared to many other states. A jackpot winner pays federal tax on the prize. The federal tax rate on lottery winnings is 24 percent withheld at time of payout, with the final tax liability often higher. Depending on your total income and filing status, you may owe additional federal tax when you file your return.
Winnings must be claimed in Florida, even if you are not a resident. Non-residents also pay federal tax. Some states tax non-residents on prizes won within their borders, but Florida does not. If you win and you live in another state, you must still pay federal tax and may also owe tax in your home state.
Prize claims must be made within 180 days of the draw date. You can claim prizes at any Florida Lottery office or authorized retailer, depending on the prize amount. Jackpots require a visit to lottery headquarters or a regional office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Florida Lotto and Powerball?
Florida Lotto is a state-only game with 6 numbers from 53 and no bonus ball. Powerball is a multi-state game requiring 5 numbers from 69 plus 1 Powerball from 26. Florida Lotto draws twice weekly (Wed/Sat). Powerball draws three times a week (Mon/Wed/Sat). Florida Lotto odds of winning any prize are better than Powerball, but Powerball jackpots are much larger because more states participate and ticket sales are higher.
Can I win a prize by matching 1 number?
Yes. Matching 1 number wins you a free ticket for the next draw. This is tier 6. The odds are roughly 1 in 2, so most players who play repeatedly will win at least one free ticket. The free ticket has the same value as a $1 purchase.
How is the jackpot paid out?
The jackpot is shared equally among all tickets that match all 6 numbers in a single draw. If only one ticket wins, that player receives the full jackpot (minus federal withholding). If multiple tickets match 6, the jackpot is divided by the number of winning tickets. The starting jackpot is $2 million, and it grows if no ticket wins in a previous draw. The growth rate depends on sales and is not fixed.
What happens if I win and I live outside Florida?
You can still claim your prize in Florida. You must pay federal tax on the winnings regardless of residency. Florida has no state income tax, so you do not owe Florida state tax. However, your home state may tax lottery winnings you received outside that state. Check your state's tax rules before claiming a large prize.
Is there a Quick Pick option, or do I have to pick my own numbers?
You can choose either. You can manually select all 6 numbers, or the lottery can randomly generate them for you (Quick Pick). The odds of winning are identical regardless of whether you pick or the machine picks. Some players use manual selection for personal reasons, but mathematically it makes no difference.
How long do I have to claim a prize after the draw?
You have 180 days from the draw date to claim your prize. If you do not claim within 180 days, you forfeit the prize. Unclaimed prize money goes to the Florida Lottery's public education fund. For large jackpots, you must visit a lottery office in person to verify your ticket and sign claim documents.
