In most U.S. states, you must be 18 years old to buy a lottery ticket. However, Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi require buyers to be 21, Nebraska requires you to be 19, and 5 states (Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah) have no state lottery at all.
Lottery Age Minimums Vary by State
The United States has no federal law setting a single minimum lottery age. Each of the 45 states that operate a lottery sets its own age floor through state legislation, which means the number on your ID card determines whether you can legally buy a Powerball ticket at the gas station or walk away empty-handed.
48 total jurisdictions run lotteries: 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The remaining 5 states (Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah) do not sell lottery tickets of any kind.
Full State-by-State Lottery Age Chart
| State | Minimum Age to Buy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No state lottery | Religious and cultural opposition |
| Alaska | No state lottery | Charitable gaming concerns |
| Arizona | 21 | Changed from 18 in 2003 |
| Arkansas | 18 | Standard minimum |
| California | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Colorado | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Connecticut | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Delaware | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Florida | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Georgia | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Hawaii | No state lottery | Constitutional gambling ban |
| Idaho | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Illinois | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Indiana | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Iowa | 21 | Aligned with alcohol purchase age |
| Kansas | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Kentucky | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Louisiana | 21 | Changed from 18 in 1998 |
| Maine | 18 | Adults may not gift tickets to minors |
| Maryland | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Massachusetts | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Michigan | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Minnesota | 18 | Minors cannot purchase or redeem prizes |
| Mississippi | 21 | Lottery launched November 2019 |
| Missouri | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Montana | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Nebraska | 19 | Only state with a 19 minimum |
| Nevada | No state lottery | Casino industry opposition |
| New Hampshire | 18 | Standard minimum |
| New Jersey | 18 | Standard minimum |
| New Mexico | 18 | Standard minimum |
| New York | 18 | Must be 21 at alcohol-serving retailers for Quick Draw only |
| North Carolina | 18 | Standard minimum |
| North Dakota | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Ohio | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Oklahoma | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Oregon | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Rhode Island | 18 | Standard minimum |
| South Carolina | 18 | Standard minimum |
| South Dakota | 18 | Must be 21 for video lottery machines |
| Tennessee | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Texas | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Utah | No state lottery | Constitutional gambling ban |
| Vermont | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Virginia | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Washington | 18 | Standard minimum |
| West Virginia | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Wisconsin | 18 | Standard minimum |
| Wyoming | 18 | Standard minimum |
| District of Columbia | 18 | Standard minimum |
Which States Require You to Be 21 to Buy Any Lottery Ticket?
Four states require buyers to be 21 years old for all lottery products: Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Each of these states aligned its lottery purchase age with its legal drinking age, treating lottery participation as a regulated adult activity on par with purchasing alcohol.
Louisiana changed its minimum from 18 to 21 in 1998 through Senate Bill 33, which simultaneously raised the age for video poker machines in the same reform package.
Selling a ticket to someone under 21 in Louisiana carries a fine of $100 to $500 for a first offense and up to $1,000 or more for repeat violations. Repeat violators also risk having their lottery retail license revoked.
Louisiana restricts acceptable proof of age to a driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or military/federal ID. Student IDs and employee identification cards are explicitly prohibited as proof of age.
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Arizona changed its minimum from 18 to 21 in 2003 through an amendment to Arizona Statutes Section 5-515. Arizona is also the only state that prohibits adults from gifting lottery tickets to anyone under 21, making it stricter than the other three 21-minimum states on the gifting question.
Iowa applies its 21 threshold uniformly to draw games, scratch-off tickets, and multi-state games including Powerball and Mega Millions sold within state borders.
Mississippi adopted a 21 minimum from the moment its lottery launched in November 2019, making it the most recent state to establish a lottery and one of only four that currently enforce a 21-year purchase floor.
Nebraska: The Only State With a 19 Minimum
Nebraska is the only U.S. state that requires lottery buyers to be exactly 19 years old. This threshold reflects Nebraska’s broader gambling regulation framework, where 19 serves as the legal floor for several regulated activities in the state.
An 18-year-old in Nebraska cannot purchase a lottery ticket even though they are a legal adult for voting, military service, and most contracts. No other state uses 19 as its lottery minimum. Every other state with a lottery uses either 18 or 21.
What Age Do You Have to Be to Buy a Scratch-Off Ticket?
The minimum age to buy a scratch-off lottery ticket is the same as the minimum age to buy any other lottery product in the same state. No U.S. state sets a different age floor specifically for scratch-off instant tickets versus draw game entries like Powerball or Mega Millions.
In approximately 40 states you must be 18 to buy a scratch-off. In Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi you must be 21. In Nebraska you must be 19. State lottery statutes typically refer broadly to “lottery tickets” or “shares in lottery games” without distinguishing between instant scratch-off tickets and draw game entries.
What Age Do You Have to Be to Buy a Powerball or Mega Millions Ticket?
The minimum age to buy a Powerball or Mega Millions ticket is set by the state where you purchase the ticket, not by the multi-state organization that runs the game. Both Powerball and Mega Millions are operated by multi-state lottery consortia, but those organizations do not override individual state law on age minimums.
| Minimum Age | Where It Applies for Powerball and Mega Millions |
|---|---|
| 18 | Approximately 40 states, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, and most of the country |
| 19 | Nebraska only |
| 21 | Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi |
| Not available | Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah (no state lottery) |
An 18-year-old traveling through Louisiana cannot legally buy a Powerball ticket there, even though that same person could buy the identical ticket in neighboring Texas, where the minimum is 18.
States With Different Age Rules by Game Type or Venue
Some states apply different age thresholds depending on where or how a ticket is purchased, not just which state you are in. These split rules frequently catch buyers off guard, particularly at venues where alcohol sales and lottery sales overlap.
New York sets its general lottery minimum at 18 for all draw games and scratch-off tickets. However, anyone purchasing a Quick Draw ticket (a keno-style game drawn every four minutes) from a retailer that is licensed to sell alcohol must be 21. Quick Draw is specifically designed for play in bars and restaurants, which is why the higher age threshold applies at those venues.
South Dakota requires buyers to be 18 for scratch-off tickets and draw games including Powerball, Mega Millions, and Dakota Cash. However, the state sets the minimum at 21 for its video lottery machines, which are electronic gaming terminals operated in bars and restaurants. A 20-year-old in South Dakota can legally buy a Powerball ticket at a convenience store but cannot use a video lottery machine at the same location.
Are the Ages to Buy and to Claim a Prize the Same?
In most states, the minimum age to redeem or claim a lottery prize is the same as the minimum age to purchase a ticket. However, the prize redemption process creates real complications whenever a minor holds a winning ticket, regardless of how they obtained it.
Texas is explicit on this point: players must be 18 to both purchase tickets and redeem prizes at retail locations. Arizona requires claimants to be 21 at the state lottery office, matching its purchase minimum. North Dakota states clearly that players must be at least 18 to purchase and to redeem lottery tickets.
Massachusetts applies a separate procedure for lawfully gifted tickets held by minors. If an adult-purchased winning ticket is claimed in the name of a person under 18, the lottery director may direct payment to an adult family member or guardian. For prizes under $5,000, a check payable to the minor is delivered to the adult. For prizes over $5,000, the funds are deposited into a bank account with the adult acting as custodian.
Minnesota is among the strictest of the 18-minimum states: the law prohibits anyone under 18 from both purchasing a lottery ticket and redeeming a prize. This means a minor in Minnesota cannot benefit from a lottery ticket even as a gift, because they cannot independently claim any prize on it.
The overriding rule in every state: if a lottery office determines at the time of the claim that a minor purchased a winning ticket, the prize is void. This has occurred in documented real cases, including a California situation where a $5 million prize was rejected because an underage person had purchased the ticket.
What Happens If Someone Underage Wins the Lottery?
If an underage person wins a lottery prize using a ticket they purchased illegally, the prize is void and the winnings are forfeited. This applies to scratch-off tickets and draw games equally, and it applies regardless of the prize amount.
When a person presents a winning ticket at a lottery office, staff verify identity and age before processing the claim. If the claimant is below the state’s minimum age and the lottery determines the ticket was purchased by that underage person, the ticket is invalidated and no payment is issued.
Colorado law is explicit: any prize won by a person under 18 who purchased a winning ticket in violation of state law is forfeited. The prize funds are redirected according to each state’s specific statute rather than returned to the underage buyer.
In states where lawful gifting is permitted, a parent or legal guardian may claim a prize on behalf of a minor who received the ticket as a gift from an adult. This outcome is legally distinct from a minor who made an illegal purchase. Unlawful purchases result in forfeiture. Lawfully gifted winning tickets can typically be claimed through an adult guardian, though the exact process differs by state.
Can You Gift Lottery Tickets to Minors?
Most states allow adults to purchase lottery tickets as gifts for minors, but the minor generally cannot independently claim any prize on a winning ticket. The gifting rules vary enough between states that it is worth checking specifically before giving a lottery ticket as a birthday or holiday present.
| Gifting Rule | Examples |
|---|---|
| Adults may give tickets; guardian must claim any prize for the minor | Texas, Colorado, New Hampshire, Florida |
| Adults may give tickets; guardian must accompany minor to claim a prize | Louisiana |
| Giving any lottery ticket to anyone under 21 is explicitly prohibited | Arizona |
| Adults may not purchase tickets as intentional gifts for minors | Maine |
| Minors cannot redeem prizes, so no benefit flows from a gifted ticket | Minnesota |
Arizona is the strictest state on gifting: the law prohibits giving a lottery ticket to any person under 21, not just selling one. A scratch-off given as a birthday present is illegal in Arizona if the recipient is under 21, regardless of whether the ticket wins anything.
Louisiana allows adults who are 21 or older to give tickets to minors, but requires the minor to be accompanied by a legal guardian or family member who is at least 21 in order to claim any prize.
Which 5 States Have No Lottery?
Five states operate no state lottery at all: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. Residents of these states cannot buy Powerball or Mega Millions within their home state borders and must cross into a neighboring state to purchase a ticket legally.
| State | Primary Reason for No Lottery |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Strong religious and cultural opposition |
| Alaska | Charitable gaming concerns; low population density |
| Hawaii | Constitutional prohibition on most gambling |
| Nevada | Casino industry lobbies against lottery competition |
| Utah | State constitution bans all forms of gambling |
Utah and Hawaii are the two states with the most comprehensive gambling prohibitions. Both states ban virtually all organized gambling, not just lotteries, making them the most restrictive jurisdictions in the country on any form of legalized gambling.
Nevada presents a widely noted paradox: it is home to Las Vegas yet bans state lottery ticket sales entirely. The casino industry has historically lobbied against a state-run lottery because it would introduce low-cost gambling competition at convenience stores and gas stations that currently feature slot machines instead of lottery terminal displays.
Alaska considered launching a lottery as recently as 2020 to address state budget shortfalls, but no lottery had launched as of 2026.
Do Age Requirements Apply to Lottery Pools?
Every participant in a lottery pool must meet the minimum age requirement for the state where the tickets are purchased. A lottery pool (also called an office pool or group play, meaning a shared-contribution arrangement where a group collectively funds ticket purchases and splits any winnings) is not exempt from state lottery age laws simply because an eligible adult made the actual purchase.
If a winning pool includes an underage member who contributed funds, the entire prize claim could be jeopardized in states with strict illegal purchase statutes, because that person’s financial contribution may constitute participation in an underage lottery transaction.
Federal employees face an additional restriction entirely separate from state lottery age laws: regulations prohibit federal workers from conducting a lottery pool while on duty or on government-owned or government-leased property. Active military members are subject to the same Department of Defense restriction.
The safest practice for any pool organizer is to include a minimum age clause in a written pool agreement, require every participant to confirm they meet the state’s minimum age before joining, and designate a single adult of legal age to purchase all tickets on the group’s behalf.
Which State’s Age Rule Applies When You Buy a Ticket Out of State?
When you buy a lottery ticket in a state other than where you live, the age requirement of the state where you make the purchase applies. Your home state’s rules do not follow you across a state line for the purpose of determining whether you can legally buy a ticket.
This matters significantly for residents of the 5 no-lottery states and for residents of states with a 21 minimum. A Louisiana resident who is 20 cannot buy a ticket at home (minimum 21), but can legally buy one in neighboring Texas (minimum 18) by traveling there to make the purchase.
You must claim any prize in the state where you bought the ticket, not your home state. If a Texas resident wins on a ticket purchased in New York, they must return to New York to claim the prize in person or mail the ticket to the New York Lottery. This rule applies uniformly to Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots as well.
How Do Retailers Verify Age at the Point of Sale?
Lottery retailers are legally required to verify the age of buyers who appear to be near the minimum age. The most common training standard across the country is the “ID25” policy (meaning clerks are required to ask any customer who appears younger than 25 for a government-issued photo ID, even when the actual legal minimum is only 18).
Texas implemented barcode-scanning ID verification on all self-service lottery vending machines in December 2024, becoming one of the first states to automate age checks at the point of purchase. The machines read the PDF417 barcode (a two-dimensional barcode format printed on the back of most U.S. state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards) and block the transaction if the scan confirms the buyer is under 18. Early data showed a 22% reduction in underage purchase attempts at machines with the system installed.
Retailers who sell tickets to underage buyers face serious financial consequences. Indiana imposes fines of up to $500 for a first violation. Louisiana fines retailers $100 to $500 for a first offense and up to $1,000 plus possible license revocation for repeat violations. In most states, knowingly selling a lottery ticket to a minor is classified as a misdemeanor offense for the retailer, and in some states the underage buyer also faces a violation.
Does the Age Limit Apply to Buying Lottery Tickets Online?
Online lottery purchases are subject to the same state age minimums as in-person retail purchases. Online platforms and licensed lottery courier services (companies that purchase physical lottery tickets on behalf of app users and scan them into a digital account) verify a buyer’s age through identity checks during account registration before any transaction is permitted.
These digital verification systems cross-reference the name, date of birth, and ID information provided by the user against government records, and frequently catch discrepancies that a busy retail cashier might miss during a face-to-face sale.
Online purchase options are not available in every state. Louisiana limits all ticket sales to in-person purchases at authorized retailers and WinStation terminals, with no legal online option regardless of the buyer’s age. South Dakota explicitly prohibits ticket sales by phone, mail, or internet under state law.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Sell Lottery Tickets as a Clerk?
There is no federal minimum age for a retail employee to sell lottery tickets, and most states set no separate minimum employment age for sellers. North Dakota’s lottery explicitly states that any employee, regardless of age, may sell a lottery ticket. Louisiana permits retail employees as young as 14 to sell lottery tickets provided they work for a licensed lottery retailer.
This creates a notable contrast with purchase rules: a 16-year-old cashier in Louisiana can legally process a lottery ticket sale at the register but cannot buy a ticket themselves. The distinction is that selling tickets is a retail employment function, not a personal gambling purchase.
Why Do Age Limits Exist for Lottery Tickets?
Lottery age restrictions exist to protect young people from early exposure to gambling, which research links to higher rates of problem gambling in adulthood. States treat lottery participation as a regulated adult activity, reflecting evidence that decision-making and impulse control continue developing well into early adulthood.
Lottery revenue also creates a strong institutional motivation to enforce these restrictions. U.S. lottery sales exceeded $100 billion in 2024, generating over $30 billion in government revenue. Programs that lose public confidence through association with underage gambling risk legislative threats to their operating authority and dedicated funding mandates.
Many states tie lottery proceeds directly to public education funding. New York has transferred over $64 billion in lottery profits to its state Education Department since 1967. Texas has directed more than $34 billion to its Foundation School Fund since 1992. Louisiana dedicates all lottery proceeds to the Minimum Foundation Program, which funds K-12 public education statewide. These visible education funding connections give state lotteries a particular institutional stake in operating programs that the public views as legally sound and socially responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an 18-year-old buy a lottery ticket?
Yes, in most U.S. states. The minimum lottery age is 18 in approximately 40 states, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, and most of the country. However, in Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi the minimum is 21, and in Nebraska it is 19. Always verify your specific state’s rules before purchasing, particularly if you are near a state border where adjacent states may have different minimums.
Can a 17-year-old buy a lottery ticket?
No. There is no U.S. state where a 17-year-old can legally buy a lottery ticket. The lowest minimum age anywhere in the country is 18, which applies in most states. Selling a ticket to a 17-year-old is a misdemeanor offense for the retailer in every state with a lottery, and in most states the underage purchase itself is also a legal violation for the buyer.
Can a 19-year-old buy a lottery ticket?
A 19-year-old can legally buy lottery tickets in all lottery states except Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi, which require buyers to be 21. Nebraska’s minimum of 19 is exactly met by a 19-year-old. In all other lottery states, the 18 minimum is fully satisfied.
Can a 20-year-old buy a lottery ticket?
Yes, in most states. A 20-year-old meets the 18 minimum that applies in approximately 40 lottery states and also meets Nebraska’s 19 minimum. However, a 20-year-old cannot legally buy a lottery ticket in Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, or Mississippi, all of which require buyers to be 21.
What states require you to be 21 to buy a lottery ticket?
Four states require buyers to be 21 for all lottery products: Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Arizona changed its minimum from 18 to 21 in 2003. Louisiana changed from 18 to 21 in 1998. Iowa and Mississippi also enforce a 21 minimum. Purchasing a ticket in any of these four states while under 21 renders the ticket void, and any winnings are forfeited.
What is the minimum age to buy a Powerball ticket?
The minimum age to buy a Powerball ticket is set by the state where you buy it, not by the Powerball organization. It is 18 in most states, 19 in Nebraska, and 21 in Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Powerball is not available in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah, which have no state lottery.
What is the minimum age to buy a Mega Millions ticket?
The minimum age for Mega Millions follows the same state-by-state rules as Powerball. It is 18 in most states, 19 in Nebraska, and 21 in Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Mega Millions is not available in the five states that operate no lottery.
What age do you have to be to buy a scratch-off lottery ticket?
The minimum age for scratch-off tickets is exactly the same as for draw game tickets in every U.S. state. No state sets a different age requirement for scratch-offs versus Powerball or Mega Millions entries. In most states the minimum is 18; in Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi it is 21; in Nebraska it is 19.
Can you give a lottery ticket as a gift to someone under 18?
In most states, adults can legally give a lottery ticket to a minor as a gift, but the minor cannot independently claim any prize on a winning ticket without adult guardian involvement. Arizona prohibits giving any lottery ticket to anyone under 21, making it the strictest state on this point. Maine prohibits adults from purchasing tickets with the intent of gifting them to minors. In states where gifting is permitted, a parent or legal guardian must handle the prize claim on behalf of the minor.
What happens if a minor wins the lottery?
If a minor purchased a lottery ticket illegally and it wins, the prize is forfeited and the ticket is voided when the lottery discovers the buyer’s age. If the minor received the ticket as a lawful gift in a state that permits gifting, a parent or legal guardian can typically claim the prize on the minor’s behalf, though the exact process varies by state. The controlling question is always whether the ticket was purchased legally by an adult as a gift or purchased directly and illegally by the minor.
Which states have no lottery?
Five states have no state lottery: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. Residents of these states cannot legally buy Powerball or Mega Millions within their home state. Residents often travel to a neighboring state to purchase tickets, which is legal as long as the buyer meets the minimum age requirement of the state where the ticket is bought.
If I buy a lottery ticket in another state, which age rule applies?
The age rule of the state where you purchase the ticket applies, not your home state’s rules. A 20-year-old Louisiana resident can legally buy a ticket in Texas (minimum 18) by crossing the border, even though they cannot buy one at home. Any prize must also be claimed in the state where the ticket was purchased, not the buyer’s home state.
Does the minimum age apply to online lottery purchases?
Yes. Online lottery purchases through official state lottery platforms and licensed courier apps are subject to the same minimum age requirements as in-person retail purchases. Online platforms verify age through identity checks at account registration. In states that do not permit online lottery sales at all, such as Louisiana and South Dakota, no online purchase option exists regardless of the buyer’s age.
What age do you have to be to claim a lottery prize?
In most states, the minimum age to claim a prize is the same as the minimum age to purchase a ticket: 18 in most states and 21 in Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi. If a minor lawfully received a ticket as a gift in a state that permits gifting, an adult guardian must claim the prize on the minor’s behalf through a process that varies by state.
What ID do you need to buy a lottery ticket?
Most retailers accept any unexpired government-issued photo ID that confirms your date of birth, such as a driver’s license, state ID card, or passport. Louisiana is among the strictest states: only a valid driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or military/federal ID is acceptable. Expired IDs, student IDs, and employee identification cards are not accepted as valid proof of age in any state’s lottery verification process.
Can you be in a lottery pool if you are under 18?
No. Every participant in a lottery pool must meet the minimum age requirement for the state where the tickets are purchased. An underage member’s financial contribution to a pool could jeopardize the group’s prize claim under state illegal purchase statutes. Pool organizers should require all members to confirm they meet the state’s minimum age before joining, and the person who physically buys the tickets must always be of legal age.
Is the lottery age the same as the casino gambling age?
No. In most states, the minimum lottery age is 18, while the minimum casino gambling age is 21. The two activities are governed by separate laws. Maryland, for example, requires buyers to be 18 for lottery tickets but 21 to enter a casino to claim a lottery prize at a casino cashier window. New York requires 18 for standard lottery tickets but 21 for Quick Draw tickets sold at venues licensed to serve alcohol.
How old do you have to be to sell lottery tickets as a clerk?
There is no federal minimum age for a retail employee to sell lottery tickets on behalf of a licensed retailer, and most states set none either. Louisiana permits lottery retail employees as young as 14 to sell tickets. North Dakota states explicitly that any employee regardless of age may sell a lottery ticket. The minimum age to purchase tickets as a customer is entirely separate from any employment rule on selling them.
What happens if a retailer sells a lottery ticket to someone underage?
Retailers face legal penalties that vary by state. In most states, knowingly selling a lottery ticket to a minor is a misdemeanor offense. Indiana imposes fines of up to $500 for a first violation. Louisiana fines retailers $100 to $500 for a first offense and up to $1,000 plus possible license revocation for repeat violations. Most states also trigger a formal investigation that puts the retailer’s lottery license at risk independent of any fine.