Lottery In Nebraska

There has been a legal state lottery in Nebraska since 1993. The Cornhusker State was the 37th region in the US to legalize lottery games. The Nebraska state lottery funds the education sector, environmental programs, and gambling addiction recovery programs. Since the lottery first took place in Nebraska, it has made over $717 million for state services. Learn about lottery laws, available games, and how to buy tickets in Nebraska.

Legal Nebraska Lottery Draw Games

Nebraska has state games such as MyDay, Pick 3, and Nebraska Pick 5 – all of which have daily draws. Like many US states, the government of Nebraska prohibits online lottery games. However, you can access the state lottery’s website or use its mobile app to check draws, upcoming games, and jackpot values. Although you can’t buy lottery tickets online, you can buy them from various licensed retailers.

Multi-State Games

The Cornhusker state also takes part in many multi-state games like Powerball, Lucky for Life, and Mega Millions. As these multi-state games have more participants, they have the largest jackpots. So, if you want to win the biggest prizes in the US, buy a ticket to play one of the lotteries below.

Lucky for Life

Available in 23 states, this lottery offers you two payment-plan prizes levels that are paid annually for the rest of your life. The first prize rewards you with a yearly sum of $365,000; the second prize gives you $25,000 a year. If you pass away within twenty years of winning, all prize money will be paid directly to your estate. To enter, you need to choose five numbers between 1 and 48 and one “Lucky Ball” number between 1 and 18. Tickets cost $2, and draws take place every night, seven days a week.

Mega Millions

The draws for Mega Millions take place at 11 pm (ET) on Tuesday and Friday evenings. The minimum jackpot is usually never below $40 million. Winners receive the prize in 30 yearly installments that increase by 5% every year. Each ticket costs $2, but for an additional $1 per play, you can get a Megaplier. This extra can multiply non-jackpot wins by 2, 3, 4, or 5 times. Also, a second-prize Megaplier win can be up to $5 million.

US Powerball

There are Powerball draws every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Because jackpots are usually over $40 million, it has one of the biggest lottery prize pools in the world. The last biggest win was a $1.586 billion jackpot which was shared between three lucky winners. One ticket costs $2, but you can also activate the PowerPlay feature for an additional $1. This feature will multiply non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times. The number of the multiplier is drawn randomly before the other numbers.

Nebraska State Lottery History

• 1875 – The constitution of Nebraska is adopted. The Legislation permits most gambling activities apart from lottery games.
• 1895 – Lottery games become illegal across the US because of corruption scandals in various states. The government of Nebraska still allows gambling on other games of chance.
• 1909 – The state of Nebraska makes gambling illegal. However, gambling continues throughout the state.
• 1931 – The passing of Assembly Bill 98 makes most forms of gambling officially legal. Yet, a state lottery in Nebraska is still not permitted.
• 1975 – Various bills fail to pass through the Nebraska Assembly to legalize lotteries within the state.
• 1990 – The Nebraska constitution is changed to allow charities to hold small lotteries. However, these games must adhere to strict rules and regulations. Public lottery laws remain unchanged.
• 1993 – 63 percent of Nebraska voters approve a constitutional amendment authorizing the creation of a state lottery. The Nebraska Lottery is created by LB 138 on February 24.
• 2009 – The Nebraska Assembly passes a bill to legalize a public lottery. The bill fails when it reaches the senate.

What Does the Nebraska Lottery Fund?

Nearly 25¢ of every dollar spent on Nebraska Lottery tickets funds state projects. This generated revenue goes to the following state programs:

• Nebraska Environmental Trust – 44.5%
• Education- 44.5%
• Nebraska State Fair – 10%
• Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund – 1%, plus the first $500,000 in fund proceeds every fiscal year

Since 1993, the Nebraska State Lottery has made $360,235,581 for the Environmental Trust, over $100,929,000 for the Nebraska Opportunity Grant Fund, $103,544,259 for the Education Improvement Fund, $61,409,853 for the Nebraska State Fair, and $19,270,740 for the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund.

Where Can You Play the Lottery in Nebraska?

Although you can’t buy tickets online, there are over 1,250 licensed retailers within the state. Licensed retailers include supermarkets, convenience stores, liquor stores, dress shops, lunch counters, and service stations. Nebraska Lottery retailers offer scratchcards and lotto tickets.

Famous Lottery Winners in Nebraska

Vern Duncan from Battle Creek, Nebraska, won $50,000 playing the lottery scratchcard game Power 5. The Nebraska native initially forgot about the scratch card after buying it. He scratched it off when he remembered the ticket and realized that he’d won the top prize. When interviewed, Duncan claimed that he would continue to buy Nebraska Lottery Scratchcards. He told local radio station 1011Now, “You never know, sometimes lightning hits the same place twice.”

Legal Age Requirement to Play the Nebraska Lottery

Unlike other US states, you have to be at least 19-years-old to play the lottery in Nebraska. Most other states allow you to participate in the lottery from the age of 18. However, due to gambling laws in Arizona, Iowa, and Louisiana, you need to be at least 21 to play the lottery.

Ciaran McEneaney

Ciaran has been working within the Gambling Industry as a deep analyst since 2019. His deep knowledge and understanding of all the gambling regulations, and processes makes him a true asset, and an always valuable point of view for Gambling Industry News, allowing us to cover every topics from a brand new perspective.