Lottery In Maine

Maine has allowed lottery in-state games since residents voted to pass a referendum in 1974. Since then there have been some changes to the lottery legalities, with the Powerball draw being unplayable for twelve years until rejoining forces with the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). These days residents of Maine can enjoy vast options including state-wide retail sales and online options.

Legal Lottery Options in Maine

You can purchase tickets in over 1,250 retail locations all across Maine, but another option you have at your disposal is to purchase tickets online with the Maine Lottery website.

Below we look at some of the games that you can take part in whilst residing in Maine.

US Powerball

This is the draw that was responsible for the largest lottery jackpot of all time back in January 2013 when 3 lucky winners from California, Florida, and Tennessee shared a massive $1.586 Billion dollar payday.

The national lottery is now played in 21 states and offers a minimum jackpot of $40,000,000. There are two draws each week that allow you to play every Wednesday and Saturday, to play this game in Maine you must have a subscription with the lottery website.

Tri-State Mega Bucks Plus

An even more popular draw is the Mega Millions, this is now available in over 40 states across the U.S as well as the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. This draw also comes with a minimum jackpot of $40 million and recently increased a single winner from South Carolina’s bank account to have $1.537 billion.

Mega Millions

This game is hosted by Megaplier, tickets are $2 and you can win jackpots that start at $20 million, with a second-place prize also making you a millionaire. You can also add a $1 multiplier that will increase any non-jackpot wins by 2x-5x, which means you don’t even have to win the jackpot to win up to $5 million.

Lucky For Life

This is how you can win $1,000 a day for the rest of your life, with a minimum 20-year guarantee which equates to a cool $7,300,000 payout. Tickets cost $2 and the 5 number pick game is available across 25 states and Washington D.C and Maine residents can join the fun both online and over the counter.

Lotto America

With jackpots starting at $2 million, this is an affordable option with tickets being just $1 each. You can also pay additional funds to enable an all-star bonus option where you can win up to x5 on any non-jackpot winning tickets. Draws are every Wednesday and Saturday, with the draw being available in 13 states and counting.

Gimmie 5

This is a weekday regional draw that runs from Monday to Friday, with tickets charged at just $1 each and winners of this five-ball pick getting $100,000 in cash.

Pick 3 & Pick 4

These are lucky number games that allow you to bet between $0.50-$5 on 3 or 4 numbers each day. The more you play for the more winning combinations you’ll have made possible. Winners can claim up to $250 in the Pick 3 version and up to $2,500 in the Pick 4 game.

World Poker Tour (WPT)

This poker-themed draw allows you to win up to $5,000 instantly and the jackpot of $10,000-$100,000 if you manage to get a royal flush. This daily game offers tickets for $2 and also includes an All-in feature for an extra $1 that will allow you to access the larger progressive payouts.

Maine State Lottery History

• June 1974 – The first lottery tickets were sold. The game Play Me was introduced with tickets at $0.50 each and the first draw was on June 27.
• October 1974 – Joseph Comeau wins the first Play Me jackpot and banks $150,000.
• August 1980 – The first $1,000,000 Maine Lottery winner was William Emhoff, claiming the jackpot of the Maine Event Game.
• April 1985 – The first multi-state lottery operation is approved, this would see Maine join forces with New Hampshire and Vermont to create the Tri-State Lotto Compact.
• September 1985 – The first Tri-State game tickets are sold.
• July 1990 – Maine joins the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) and introduces the Lotto America game.
• July 1992 – Maine pulls out from the MUSL after the introduction of the Powerball game.
• July 2004 – Maine rejoins the MUSL and introduces the Powerball draw
• May 2010 – Maine introduces Mega Millions
• May 2015 – A $2 million ticket is sold in Bath.
• January 2016 – Record-setting Powerball jackpot of $1.586 billion is held.

What Does the Maine State Lottery Fund?

The lottery has had a significant impact on the local economy, with over 1,250 retailers earning a year-round revenue from ticket sales that helps drive customers into their stores. Since the lottery began over $335 million has been paid in commissions to local businesses on top of $2.2 billion in prizes paid out to residents.

But that’s not all, since 1974 Maine State Lottery has raised over $1.24 billion to fund local government projects like schools, higher education, health services, and more. The Lottery has also transferred $18.5 million to the Outdoor Heritage Fund from sales of a $1 instant win ticket that was made to fund critical conservation and wildlife operations in the state.

Where Can You Play the Lottery in Maine?

There are over 1,250 retail locations where you can participate in games like Powerball, Megabucks, Lotto America, Lucky For Life, Gimme 5, Pick 3, Pick 4, and World Poker Tour as well as plenty of instant win games available over the counter, with ticket prices ranging from $1 to $25.

Whilst you can participate online with the Maine Lottery, the website is not fully open to all ticket sales. It’s done on a subscription basis with only major games like Powerball, Megabucks, and Mega Millions available online.

So what that means is right now you can’t participate in the other draws or get instant win tickets online. You also can’t buy single tickets even for the draws you can play online, so the service is limited, which would be good to see opened up a little in times to come.

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