Idaho Lottery review (2026): Idaho Cash odds, $3 Powerball and 5.3% tax

Who it’s for

The Idaho Lottery suits adults aged 18 or older who like frequent small prizes from Idaho Cash and want proceeds to go to schools. It is a weaker fit if you want a published claim deadline, a stated privacy rule or official online sales, since we could not verify any of them.

How it works

Idaho’s dividends go 5/8 to public schools through the School Facilities Fund and 3/8 to the Permanent Building Fund. The lottery lists FY2025 payments to individual districts but no statewide total on the pages we checked.

Idaho prices the national games slightly differently. Powerball has a minimum of $3 because Power Play is bundled in. Mega Millions costs $5, Millionaire for Life costs $5 and Lotto America costs $1.

State games include Idaho Cash, Xs & Os, Pick 3 and Pick 4. Idaho Cash costs $1 for two plays, draws daily at 8 pm Mountain and has a jackpot from $20,000.

Odds and value

Idaho Cash publishes jackpot odds of 1 in 610,880 and any-prize odds of 1 in 5.7. That any-prize figure matches Montana Cash and is stronger than Powerball’s 1 in 24.87 or Lotto America’s 1 in 9.63. The jackpot is much smaller, which is the usual trade.

On the national games, Powerball’s jackpot is 1 in 292,201,338 and Mega Millions’ is 1 in 290,472,336. Millionaire for Life is 1 in 22,910,580 for the top prize. See the methodology.

Because Idaho Cash is sold as two plays for $1, each play works out at 50 cents. The published odds are per single play, so a $1 ticket carries two chances at those odds. We did not find the jackpot structure beyond the $20,000 starting figure.

Trust and regulation

We found no regulatory actions on the pages we checked. The helpline is 1-800-GAMBLER.

The funding split is clear and specific, which helps accountability. The missing statewide total is the gap.

Claiming prizes and taxes

We could not find a claim deadline and do not state one. Withholding is 24% federal plus 5.3% Idaho on prizes over $5,000. We did not find a stated anonymity rule. See the Idaho state page.

Playing online

We could not verify official online sales. Jackpocket lists Idaho on its iOS and web service, and our state data names it as the courier for the state.

A courier buys an official ticket for you, so the odds are unchanged, but it charges a fee. Jackpocket says its fees vary by location and are shown before you order. Check the total before you pay.

Our take

Idaho is a good state for small-prize odds and for players who want school funding. The $3 Powerball floor and the unpublished claim and privacy rules are the drawbacks. If you win a large prize, ask the lottery in writing about the deadline and how your name will be handled. Our guides show how.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Powerball cost $3 in Idaho?

Power Play is bundled with Powerball, so the minimum play is $3.

What are the odds on Idaho Cash?

1 in 610,880 for the jackpot and 1 in 5.7 for any prize.

How much tax is withheld?

24% federal plus 5.3% Idaho on prizes over $5,000.

Where does the money go?

5/8 of dividends to public schools through the School Facilities Fund and 3/8 to the Permanent Building Fund.

How long do I have to claim?

We could not find a stated deadline on the pages we checked.