National game review
Lotto America review (2026): $1 plays, odds, prizes and states
MUSL's $1 game with a Star Ball: jackpot 1 in 25,989,600, any prize 1 in 9.63.
Our verdict
A cheap $1 game with better odds than the mega-jackpot games, but small jackpots (about $2.6M on 2 Nov 2026) and only 16 jurisdictions.
Best for: Budget players in participating states who want better odds and smaller jackpots.
- Odds & value 25%6
- Transparency 20%7
- Player protection 20%6
- Ease of play 15%5
- Payouts & claims 10%6
- Reputation 10%6
What we like
- $1 per play
- Any-prize odds of 1 in 9.63
- Jackpot odds of 1 in 25,989,600 are far shorter than Powerball
- Optional All Star Bonus multiplies non-jackpot prizes 2x to 5x
What to watch
- Jackpots are small (about $2.60M on 2 Nov 2026)
- Sold in only 16 jurisdictions
- Claim deadline not stated on the game page
At a glance
- Type
- Multi-state lottery association
- Available in
- 16 states
- Fees
- $1 per play; All Star Bonus adds $1.
- Mobile app
- —
- Courier apps allowed
- —
- Help line
- 1-800-GAMBLER
Score breakdown
Rubric & weights- Odds & value 25% weight6/10
Any-prize odds are 1 in 9.63 for $1, and the jackpot is 1 in 25,989,600, far shorter than Powerball or Mega Millions.
- Transparency 20% weight7/10
MUSL publishes the full prize chart with odds for each of the nine prize tiers.
- Player protection 20% weight6/10
Protections are those of the 16 selling state lotteries; no game-level self-exclusion tool.
- Ease of play 15% weight5/10
Only 16 jurisdictions sell it, and draws are three nights a week.
- Payouts & claims 10% weight6/10
Claims follow each selling lottery's rules and the game page does not state a deadline.
- Reputation 10% weight6/10
Run by MUSL alongside Powerball; no regulatory action found in the research.
Games, prices and published odds
Top prizes and odds
| Game | Match | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lotto America | 5 + Star Ball | Grand Prize | 1 in 25,989,600.00 |
| 5 | $20,000 | 1 in 2,887,733.33 | |
| 4 + Star Ball | $1,000 | 1 in 110,594.04 |
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
Lotto America is for budget players in the places that sell it who would rather have shorter odds and a modest jackpot than a long shot at a giant one. A play costs $1, so it is one of the cheapest national games. It is not for anyone who wants a headline jackpot: the estimate for the 2 Nov 2026 draw was $2.60M, or $1.11M as cash.
How it works
Lotto America is a game of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), sold by 16 member lotteries. You pick five numbers from 52 and a Star Ball from 1 to 10. There are nine ways to win. Draws take place on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
An optional All Star Bonus adds $1 and multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2x to 5x. Prizes are claimed through the selling lottery under its own rules, so the deadline and tax treatment depend on where you buy. Check your state page before you play.
Odds and value
The jackpot odds are 1 in 25,989,600 and the odds of winning any prize are 1 in 9.63. Both are far better than Powerball, whose jackpot odds are 1 in 292,201,338. That is the real appeal of this game. The cost of the better odds is the size of the top prize, which is much smaller.
Trust and regulation
The same association that runs Powerball runs Lotto America, and prizes are paid by state lotteries under their own state law. A minimum age is not stated on the game page we checked, so follow the rule of the selling lottery. Our methodology explains how we score national games.
Claiming prizes and taxes
The game page does not state a claim deadline. Claims go through the selling lottery, so look up your state. We do not have a single game-wide figure for anonymity or tax, because both are decided by the state where the ticket was bought.
Playing online
The game page does not describe online sales. Where a state lottery sells online, it may include the game, but we have not confirmed that for Lotto America.
Our take
Lotto America is a straightforward, low-cost game with better odds than the mega-jackpot games and a small prize to match. It is a sensible choice if you live in a participating state and want to keep spending low. Treat it as entertainment and set a budget.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Lotto America cost?
A play is $1. The All Star Bonus adds another $1.
Are the odds better than Powerball?
Yes. The jackpot is 1 in 25,989,600 and any prize is 1 in 9.63, although the jackpot is much smaller.
Where is it sold?
In 16 jurisdictions. Confirm yours on our state pages.
How long do I have to claim?
The game page does not say. It depends on the selling lottery.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Lotto America legit?
- Lotto America is operated by Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). Lotto America is a MUSL game sold by 16 member lotteries. Prizes are claimed through the selling lottery under its own rules. Players pick 5 of 52 numbers plus a Star Ball from 1 to 10, with nine ways to win. We rate it 6.1/10 (Fair) on odds, transparency, player protection, ease of play, payouts and reputation, verified November 2, 2026.
- How much does Lotto America cost?
- $1. $1 per play; All Star Bonus adds $1.
- What are the odds of winning at Lotto America?
- Lotto America: top prize Jackpot: est. $2.60M ($1.11M cash) for the 2 Nov 2026 draw at 1 in 25,989,600; any prize 1 in 9.63. These are the operator's published figures per single play.
- What are the downsides of Lotto America?
- Jackpots are small (about $2.60M on 2 Nov 2026). Sold in only 16 jurisdictions. Claim deadline not stated on the game page.
Sources
Facts last verified November 2, 2026
Every figure on this page comes from one of the documents below. If a source has changed since our check, tell us.
- Lotto America - Powerball.com · accessed November 2, 2026
- Lotto America prize chart · accessed November 2, 2026
- MUSL (Multi-State Lottery Association) · accessed November 2, 2026
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