Minnesota Lottery review (2026): privacy above $10,000, taxes and odds

Who it’s for

The Minnesota Lottery suits players who want privacy on larger wins and a one-year claim window. Players must be 18 or older. It is a weaker fit if you want official online sales, which we could not verify on the pages we checked.

How it works

The lottery has operated since 1990 from Roseville and reports having returned more than $4 billion to the state. Games include Powerball at $2, Mega Millions at $5, Lotto America at $1 and Gopher 5.

Gopher 5 costs $1 and draws on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Its jackpot starts at a minimum of $100,000.

Odds and value

Gopher 5’s published jackpot odds are 1 in 1,533,939, and the chance of any prize is 1 in 12. Lotto America’s jackpot is 1 in 25,989,600, with any prize at 1 in 9.63. The national games are the same as everywhere: Powerball is 1 in 292,201,338, and Mega Millions 1 in 290,472,336.

Lotto America at $1 offers better jackpot odds than Powerball at $2, though its jackpot is smaller. That is a recurring pattern across state and regional games, and one reason we weigh odds as well as prize size. See our methodology.

Trust and regulation

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

Minnesota publishes an detailed breakdown of where its money goes. In FY2024 it reported $196.5 million: $50.7 million for the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, $22.1 million for the Natural Resources Fund, $20.5 million for Game and Fish, and $101.7 million for the General Fund.

Claiming prizes and taxes

Lotto prizes must be claimed within one year. Withholding is 24% federal plus 7.25% Minnesota on prizes over $5,000.

Privacy has a clear line. Since a law effective 1 September 2021, names and cities are private for prizes over $10,000, unless the winner opts in. Prizes of $10,000 or less are public. The $10,000 line covers far more winners than Georgia’s $250,000 threshold. See the Minnesota state page.

Playing online

We did not verify official online ticket sales for Minnesota, and the Mega Millions FAQ does not list Minnesota among online states. Courier apps do operate: Jackpocket and Lotto.com both list Minnesota. See Jackpocket for how couriers work and what they charge.

Lotto.com charges a 25% convenience fee on draw tickets, so a courier ticket costs more than one bought at a retailer.

Our take

The tax and privacy rules fit together in an odd way. Minnesota withholds 7.25% on large prizes, but a winner of more than $10,000 keeps their name and city private by default, without having to ask. Because the opt-in works the other way round, a winner who wants publicity can choose it.

Minnesota is a strong choice for privacy and claim time, with a transparent account of where the money goes. The 7.25% withholding rate and the lack of verified online sales are the trade-offs. Most players will be best served by buying at a retailer. See our guides for claim tips.

Frequently asked questions

Can I stay anonymous if I win in Minnesota?

For prizes over $10,000, names and cities are private unless you opt in. Smaller prizes are public.

How long do I have to claim?

Lotto prizes must be claimed within one year.

How much tax is withheld?

24% federal plus 7.25% Minnesota on prizes over $5,000.

Can I buy tickets online?

We could not verify official online sales. Courier apps such as Jackpocket and Lotto.com list Minnesota.

Where does the money go?

In FY2024, to natural resources funds and the General Fund, $196.5 million in total.