State lottery review
North Dakota Lottery review (2026): online sales, 180 days to claim, 2.5% tax
North Dakota's lottery sells multi-state games online to adults; it runs no in-state draw game of its own.
Our verdict
North Dakota's official online lottery for adults: multi-state games, a 180-day claim window and 2.5% state withholding on big wins.
Best for: North Dakota adults (18+) who want Powerball, Mega Millions, Lotto America or 2by2 with official online sales.
- Odds & value 25%5
- Transparency 20%6
- Player protection 20%6
- Ease of play 15%9
- Payouts & claims 10%5
- Reputation 10%7
What we like
- Official online sales for players 18 and over
- 180-day claim window from the draw date
- Lotto America and 2by2 both sold in North Dakota
- Helpline 2-1-1 plus GamblerND resources published
What to watch
- No North Dakota in-state draw game (multi-state games only)
- Winner anonymity policy not verified
- Self-exclusion program not found on the pages checked
- Prizes over $5,000: 2.5% state plus 24% federal withholding
At a glance
- Type
- State government agency
- Headquarters
- Bismarck, ND
- Available in
- ND
- Mobile app
- —
- Courier apps allowed
- —
- Federal withholding
- 24%
Score breakdown
Rubric & weights- Odds & value 25% weight5/10
Sells the national games at standard odds; 2by2 any-prize odds of 1 in 3.59 are published but no stronger odds were verified.
- Transparency 20% weight6/10
Odds per game are published, but no payout percentage or audit reports were verified, so 6 is the ceiling this run supports.
- Player protection 20% weight6/10
Gamblers Anonymous and GamblerND resources are listed, but no spend limits or self-exclusion program was found on the pages checked.
- Ease of play 15% weight9/10
Official online sales (18+) on the lottery's site and online lobby, with in-person claims at Bismarck.
- Payouts & claims 10% weight5/10
A 180-day claim window applies, but anonymity was not verified and withholding is 2.5% state plus 24% federal over $5,000.
- Reputation 10% weight7/10
Default 7: no regulatory or legal event found in the last 5 years on the pages checked; no press search was run.
Games, prices and published odds
Top prizes and odds
| Game | Match | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerball | 5 + Powerball | Grand Prize | 1 in 292,201,338.00 |
| 5 | $1 Million | 1 in 11,688,053.52 | |
| 4 + Powerball | $50,000 | 1 in 913,129.18 | |
| Mega Millions | 5 + Mega Ball | Jackpot (not multiplied) | 1 in 290,472,336 |
| 5 | $2,000,000 to $10,000,000 (2X to 10X multiplier) | 1 in 12,629,232 | |
| 4 + Mega Ball | $20,000 to $100,000 (2X to 10X multiplier) | 1 in 893,761 | |
| Millionaire for Life | 5 + Life Ball | $1,000,000 Per Year for Life ($18 Million Cash Option) | 1 in 22,910,580.00 |
| 5 | $100,000 Per Year for Life ($2.2 Million Cash Option) | 1 in 5,727,645.00 | |
| 4 + Life Ball | $7,500 | 1 in 86,455.02 | |
| 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 | |
| 2by2 | 2 red + 2 white | $22,000 Grand Prize ($44,000 on Tuesday feature) | 1 in 105,625 |
| 2 red + 1 white | $100 ($200 Tuesday) | 1 in 2,200.5 | |
| 1 red + 2 white | $100 ($200 Tuesday) | 1 in 2,200.5 |
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 North Dakota Lottery suits adults aged 18 and over who want to buy national games on the lottery’s own website. It is less suited to anyone who wants a state-only game, because North Dakota has no in-state draw game, or who needs a stated anonymity rule.
How it works
The North Dakota Lottery is a state agency based in Bismarck. It sells Powerball at $2, Mega Millions at $5, Millionaire for Life at $5, Lotto America at $1 and 2by2 at $1. 2by2 has a top prize of $22,000 ($44,000 on Tuesday with the 2by2 Tuesday feature) and any-prize odds of 1 in 3.59. We found no founding year.
How it scored
Ease of play is the strongest result at 9: official online sales for players 18 and over on lottery.nd.gov and its online lobby, with in-person claims in Bismarck.
Payouts and claims and odds and value are the weakest at 5. The claim window is stated, but anonymity was not verified. On odds, the national games are at standard odds and no stronger odds were verified. Transparency and player protection scored 6 and reputation 7. Odds per game are published, but we found no payout percentage or audit reports. See our methodology.
Claims, tax and funding
The prize claim period is 180 days from the draw date. Claims of more than $5,000 are subject to 24% federal and 2.5% state withholding. Claims go in person, or by mail with a Prize Claim Form. See the claiming guide and lottery taxes explained. We did not find the beneficiary.
Safety
The lottery lists the helpline 2-1-1 and GamblerND resources. We found no spend limits or self-exclusion program on the pages we checked.
Our take
North Dakota is a good choice for adult online players, with a clear claim window and a low state rate. Its limits are the unverified anonymity policy and the missing self-exclusion tools. See the North Dakota state page.
Frequently asked questions
- Is North Dakota Lottery legit?
- North Dakota Lottery is operated by North Dakota Lottery. The North Dakota Lottery sells multi-state draw games (Powerball, Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life, Lotto America, 2by2) with official online sales for players 18 and over. We rate it 6.2/10 (Fair) on odds, transparency, player protection, ease of play, payouts and reputation, verified November 2, 2026.
- How much does North Dakota Lottery cost?
- From $1 to $5.
- What are the odds of winning at North Dakota 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 North Dakota Lottery?
- The minimum age is 18.
- How long do you have to claim a North Dakota Lottery prize?
- 180 days. The prize claim period is 180 days from the draw date. Claims of more than $5,000 are subject to 24% federal and 2.5% state withholding. Claims go in person, or by mail with a Prize Claim Form.
- What are the downsides of North Dakota Lottery?
- No North Dakota in-state draw game (multi-state games only). Winner anonymity policy not verified. Self-exclusion program not found on the pages checked. Prizes over $5,000: 2.5% state plus 24% federal withholding.
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.
- North Dakota Lottery: FAQs · accessed November 2, 2026
- North Dakota Lottery: Claim your prize · accessed November 2, 2026
- North Dakota Lottery: 2by2 game page · accessed November 2, 2026
- North Dakota Lottery: home · accessed November 2, 2026
- Lotto America prize chart · accessed November 2, 2026
- 2by2 prize chart · accessed November 2, 2026
- Mega Millions: How to play · accessed November 2, 2026
- Powerball prize chart · accessed November 2, 2026
- Millionaire for Life prize chart · accessed November 2, 2026
More state lotteries
All state lotteriesMichigan Lottery
Michigan state lottery: iLottery pioneer funding schools with over $1 billion a year.
Best for: Michigan players who want to buy draw games and instants online with safeguards.
Pennsylvania Lottery
Pennsylvania state lottery with a full iLottery, Powerball, Mega Millions and Millionaire for Life.
Best for: Pennsylvania residents who want to buy tickets online with built-in spending limits.
Massachusetts Lottery
Massachusetts state lottery: Megabucks, Mass Cash, Keno and national games, online play and lifetime self-exclusion.
Best for: Massachusetts adults who want in-state draw games, online play and strong responsible-gaming tools.