State lottery review
Hoosier Lottery review (2026): Indiana odds, retail-only sales and public winner names
Indiana's state lottery: retail-only tickets, Hoosier Lotto and CA$H 5, with 180 days to claim draw prizes.
Our verdict
Indiana's Hoosier Lottery sells tickets only at stores, gives 180 days to claim draw prizes, and makes winners' names public record.
Best for: Indiana residents who buy tickets at a store for Hoosier Lotto, CA$H 5 and the national games.
What we like
- Hoosier Lotto and CA$H 5 with published per-game odds
- 180 days to claim draw-game prizes
- More than $8 billion given to good causes since 1989
What to watch
- No official online ticket sales
- Winner's name, address and city are public record
- No self-exclusion tool mentioned on the Positive Play page
At a glance
Score breakdown
Rubric & weights- Odds & value 25% weight5/10
Hoosier Lotto overall odds are 1 in 6 and CA$H 5 overall odds are 1 in 11 (game pages); jackpot odds match the national games in every state.
- Transparency 20% weight6/10
Publishes odds and prize tables per game, but no verified payout percentage or audit report was found in this review.
- Player protection 20% weight5/10
Positive Play resources encourage setting limits and list a problem-gambling helpline (1-800-994-8448); self-exclusion is not mentioned on the page.
- Ease of play 15% weight5/10
Tickets are sold only at participating retailers (Hoosier Lotto game page); the app scans tickets but the lottery lists no official online ticket sales.
- Payouts & claims 10% weight5/10
Draw prizes must be claimed within 180 days, and the winner's name, address and city are public record under Indiana law (winner guide).
- Reputation 10% weight7/10
No sourced regulatory or legal event in the last five years was found in this review; the lottery reports more than $8 billion given to good causes since 1989.
Games, prices and published odds
Top prizes and odds
| Game | Match | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerball | 5 + Powerball | Jackpot (rolls) | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| 5 | $1,000,000 | 1 in 11,688,053.52 | |
| 4 + Powerball | $50,000 | 1 in 913,129.18 | |
| Mega Millions | 5 white balls + Mega Ball | Jackpot | 1 in 290,472,336 |
| 5 white balls | $2,000,000 (1x; higher with multiplier) | 1 in 12,629,232 | |
| 4 white balls + Mega Ball | $20,000 (1x; higher with multiplier) | 1 in 893,761 | |
| Millionaire for Life | 5 + Millionaire Ball | $1,000,000 a year for life or $18M cash | 1 in 22,910,580 |
| 5 | $100,000 a year for life or $2.2M cash | 1 in 5,727,645 | |
| 4 + Millionaire Ball | $7,500 | 1 in 86,455.02 | |
| Hoosier Lotto | 6 of 6 | Jackpot ($1,000,000 shown in prize table) | 1 in 9,366,819 |
| 5 of 6 | $500 ($600 with +PLUS) | 1 in 39,028 | |
| 4 of 6 | $20 ($25 with +PLUS) | 1 in 800 | |
| CA$H 5 | 5 of 5 | Jackpot | 1 in 1,221,759 |
| 4 of 5 | $200 | 1 in 6,109 | |
| 3 of 5 | $15 | 1 in 157 |
Top three prize tiers as printed on the operator's prize chart.
Odds are the operator's published figures per single play. Prize amounts are before tax.
Who it’s for
The Hoosier Lottery suits Indiana adults who are happy to buy tickets in a store. Players must be 18 or older. It is a poor fit for anyone who wants to buy online or to stay anonymous, because the lottery lists no online ticket sales and a winner’s name, address and city are public record.
How it works
Tickets are sold at participating retailers, and the app is used to scan tickets. A state-appointed Commission oversees the lottery. Alongside Powerball at $2, Mega Millions at $5 and Millionaire for Life at $5, it sells Hoosier Lotto at $2 (Wed, Sat) and CA$H 5 at $1 (daily).
Odds and value
Hoosier Lotto jackpot odds are 1 in 9,366,819, with overall odds of 1 in 6. CA$H 5 jackpot odds are 1 in 1,221,759, with overall odds of 1 in 11. National-game odds are identical in every state, with Powerball at 1 in 292,201,338. We found no payout percentage on the game pages. See our methodology.
Claims and tax
Draw-game prizes must be claimed within 180 days. Prizes under $600 can be redeemed at a retailer or by mail, $600 to $49,999 by mail or at a Prize Payment Center, and $50,000 or more by appointment. Federal withholding is 24% on winnings over $5,000. Indiana’s income tax rate is 2.95% for 2026, according to the Department of Revenue, but the lottery does not state the rate it withholds.
Responsible play
The Positive Play page encourages players to set limits and lists a problem-gambling helpline, 1-800-994-8448. It does not mention self-exclusion.
Where the money goes
The lottery reports more than $8 billion given back since 1989 to police and firefighter pensions, the Teachers’ Retirement Fund and the Lottery Surplus Fund.
Our take
The Hoosier Lottery lands mid-table. Published odds and a clear claim window help. Retail-only sales, public winner names and no self-exclusion tool pull it down.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay anonymous if I win in Indiana?
No. A winner’s name, address and city are public record under Indiana law.
Can I buy Hoosier Lottery tickets online?
We found no official online ticket sales. Tickets are sold at retailers.
How long do I have to claim?
180 days for draw-game prizes.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Hoosier Lottery legit?
- Hoosier Lottery is operated by Hoosier Lottery. The Hoosier Lottery is overseen by a state-appointed Commission and returns net income to the state; tickets are sold at participating retailers. Indiana state laws and lottery regulations prevail. We rate it 5.4/10 (Below average) on odds, transparency, player protection, ease of play, payouts and reputation, verified November 3, 2026.
- How much does Hoosier Lottery cost?
- From $1 to $5.
- What are the odds of winning at Hoosier Lottery?
- Powerball: top prize listed on the official page at 1 in 292,201,338; any prize 1 in 24.87. These are the operator's published figures per single play.
- How old do you have to be to play Hoosier Lottery?
- The minimum age is 18.
- How long do you have to claim a Hoosier Lottery prize?
- 180 days. Draw-game prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing. Tickets under $600 may be redeemed at retailers or by mail; $600 to $49,999 by mail or at Prize Payment Centers; $50,000 or more by appointment. Withholding: 24% federal on winnings over $5,000 (IRS rule); state tax is withheld at the minimum required rate on winnings over $1,200 (rate not stated on the lottery page).
- What are the downsides of Hoosier Lottery?
- No official online ticket sales. Winner's name, address and city are public record. No self-exclusion tool mentioned on the Positive Play page.
Sources
Facts last verified November 3, 2026
Every figure on this page comes from one of the documents below. If a source has changed since our check, tell us.
- Hoosier Lottery home page · accessed November 2, 2026
- Hoosier Lotto game page · accessed November 3, 2026
- CA$H 5 game page · accessed November 3, 2026
- Hoosier Lottery: How to claim your prize · accessed November 3, 2026
- Hoosier Lottery winner resource guide (PDF) · accessed November 2, 2026
- Hoosier Lottery: Corporate Social Responsibility · accessed November 2, 2026
- IRS: Instructions for Form W-2G (24% gambling withholding) · accessed November 2, 2026
- Hoosier Lottery: About us · accessed November 3, 2026
- Indiana DOR: Rates, fees and penalties · accessed November 3, 2026
- Hoosier Lottery page · accessed November 3, 2026
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