State lottery review
Massachusetts Lottery review (2026): odds, online play, self-exclusion and claims
Massachusetts state lottery: Megabucks, Mass Cash, Keno and national games, online play and lifetime self-exclusion.
Our verdict
A well-documented state lottery with full odds tables, online play and lifetime self-exclusion; anonymity rules were not found.
Best for: Massachusetts adults who want in-state draw games, online play and strong responsible-gaming tools.
What we like
- Full odds tables and prize-pool percentages published
- Voluntary self-exclusion from one year to life, plus deposit and betting limits
- Net profit of $1,067,359,975 returned for local aid in fiscal 2025
- One year to claim cash prizes on its own draw games
What to watch
- Online play is for ages 21 and up
- No anonymity or name-disclosure rule found
- Standard national-game odds, with Megabucks overall odds of 1 in 39.3
At a glance
- Type
- State government agency
- Headquarters
- Dorchester, MA
- Founded
- 1972
- Available in
- MA
- Mobile app
- Yes
- Courier apps allowed
- Yes
- Federal withholding
- 24%
Score breakdown
Rubric & weights- Odds & value 25% weight5/10
Megabucks overall odds are 1 in 39.3 with about 61.79% of wagers going to the prize pool; Mass Cash overall odds are 1 in 72 with about 56% to prizes. National games carry standard odds (Powerball jackpot 1 in 292,201,338).
- Transparency 20% weight8/10
Game pages publish full odds tables, prize-pool percentages and rules, and the Lottery lists net profit returned to the Commonwealth for each of the last ten fiscal years; no audit report was found.
- Player protection 20% weight9/10
Online play needs age and identity verification with a Social Security number check, deposit and betting limits, session timers, cool-off periods of 24 hours to 6 months, and voluntary self-exclusion of one, three or five years or for life. NASPL/NCPG Verified status was earned in 2021.
- Ease of play 15% weight8/10
Retail sales plus online play and a mobile app; retail tickets of $601 to $5,000 can be claimed in the app. Online play is limited to ages 21 and up.
- Payouts & claims 10% weight7/10
A one-year claim window, claim paths by prize size and by retail or online purchase are clearly published; a name-disclosure or anonymity rule was not found on official pages.
- Reputation 10% weight7/10
A state commission under the Treasurer with the NASPL/NCPG Verified responsible-gaming status; no sourced regulatory or legal event was checked beyond that, so the default score applies.
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 Million | 1 in 11,688,053.52 | |
| 4 + Powerball | $50,000 | 1 in 913,129.18 | |
| Mega Millions | 5 + Mega Ball | Jackpot (rolls) | 1 in 290,472,336 |
| 5 | $2,000,000 at 2X Megaplier (base prize not shown on the page) | 1 in 12,629,232 | |
| 4 + Mega Ball | $20,000 at 2X Megaplier (base prize not shown on the page) | 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 | |
| Megabucks | 6 of 6 | Jackpot | 1 in 7,059,052 |
| 5 of 6 | $5,000 | 1 in 30,961 | |
| 4 of 6 | $200 | 1 in 669 | |
| Mass Cash | 5 of 5 | $100,000 | 1 in 324,632 |
| 4 of 5 | $250 | 1 in 2,164.21 | |
| 3 of 5 | $10 | 1 in 74.63 | |
| Keno | Match 12 (12-spot) | $1,000,000 | 1 in 478,261,833.14 |
| Match 11 | $25,000 | 1 in 5,978,272.91 | |
| Match 10 | $2,500 | 1 in 184,230.29 |
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 Massachusetts Lottery suits players who want strong responsible-gaming tools and full odds disclosure. Retail play is for ages 18 and up, and online play is for ages 21 and up. We found no anonymity rule on its official pages, so private winners should check first.
How it works
The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission sits under the Office of the Treasurer and Receiver General and has operated since 1972. Beyond Powerball, Mega Millions and Millionaire for Life, it runs Megabucks at $2 (Mon, Wed, Sat), Mass Cash at $1 (daily) and Keno at $1. Megabucks and Mass Cash are also sold online and in the app.
Odds and value
Megabucks publishes jackpot odds of 1 in 7,059,052 and overall odds of 1 in 39.3, with about 61.79% of wagers going to the prize pool. Mass Cash has a $100,000 top prize at 1 in 324,632, overall odds of 1 in 72, and about 56% to prizes. National games carry standard odds, such as Powerball’s 1 in 292,201,338. How we weigh these is in our methodology.
Claims and tax
Cash prizes on its own draw games must be claimed within one year of the draw. Retail prizes over $103,000 must be claimed at headquarters in Dorchester. Online prizes under $601 go to the player wallet. The Lottery typically withholds 24% federal and 5% Massachusetts tax on prizes over $5,000.
Responsible play
This is the strongest area. Online players get deposit and betting limits, session timers and cool-off periods from 24 hours to 6 months. Voluntary self-exclusion runs one, three or five years, or for life. The Lottery earned NASPL/NCPG Verified status in 2021. The helpline is 800-327-5050.
Where the money goes
Retail net profit funds unrestricted local aid to all 351 cities and towns. The Lottery reports $1,067,359,975 returned in fiscal 2025. Online sales fund early childhood education and care grants.
Our take
Massachusetts ranks among the better state lotteries we have reviewed. Open odds and prize pools, plus the limits and self-exclusion tools, carry it. Standard national-game odds and no anonymity rule hold it back.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play online in Massachusetts?
Yes, from age 21, on the website and the app.
How long do I have to claim?
One year from the draw for cash prizes on Megabucks, Mass Cash and Keno.
Can I self-exclude?
Yes, online players can for one, three or five years, or for life.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Massachusetts Lottery legit?
- Massachusetts Lottery is operated by Massachusetts Lottery. The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission operates under the Office of the Treasurer and Receiver General. Players must be 18 or older for retail play and 21 or older to play online. We rate it 7.3/10 (Good) on odds, transparency, player protection, ease of play, payouts and reputation, verified November 3, 2026.
- How much does Massachusetts Lottery cost?
- From $1 to $5.
- What are the odds of winning at Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Lottery?
- The minimum age is 18.
- How long do you have to claim a Massachusetts Lottery prize?
- 365 days. Cash prizes on Megabucks, Mass Cash and Keno must be claimed within one year of the draw date. Retail prizes under $601 can be claimed at a Lottery Agent, office or by mail; $601 to $103,000 at a Lottery office (mail up to $50,000, mobile cashing up to $5,000); over $103,000 at headquarters in Dorchester. Online prizes under $601 go to the player wallet and over $50,000 must be claimed at headquarters. Prizes over $5,000 typically have 24% federal and 5% Massachusetts withheld.
- What are the downsides of Massachusetts Lottery?
- Online play is for ages 21 and up. No anonymity or name-disclosure rule found. Standard national-game odds, with Megabucks overall odds of 1 in 39.3.
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.
- Massachusetts Lottery · accessed November 2, 2026
- Massachusetts Lottery FAQ · accessed November 2, 2026
- Megabucks (Massachusetts Lottery) · accessed November 2, 2026
- Powerball prize chart · accessed November 2, 2026
- Millionaire for Life prize chart · accessed November 2, 2026
- Mega Millions How to Play · accessed November 2, 2026
- Mass Lottery: Claim a Prize · accessed November 3, 2026
- Mass Lottery: Supporting Massachusetts · accessed November 3, 2026
- Mass Lottery: Megabucks · accessed November 3, 2026
- Mass Lottery: Mass Cash · accessed November 3, 2026
- Mass Lottery: Keno · accessed November 3, 2026
- Mass Lottery: Responsible Gaming · accessed November 3, 2026
- Mass Lottery Help: tax forms and withholding · accessed November 3, 2026
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