State lottery review
Wisconsin Lottery review (2026): retail-only play, 180 days to claim and 7.65% tax
Wisconsin's state lottery: Megabucks, Badger 5 and SuperCash!, sold only at retail with 180-day claims.
Our verdict
A retail-only state lottery with daily Badger 5 and SuperCash! draws and twice-weekly Megabucks. Claims close after 180 days and winners' names are released on request.
Best for: Wisconsin players who buy at retail and want Megabucks, SuperCash! or Badger 5.
- Odds & value 25%5
- Transparency 20%7
- Player protection 20%6
- Ease of play 15%6
- Payouts & claims 10%5
- Reputation 10%7
What we like
- Daily Badger 5 and SuperCash! draws, plus Megabucks on Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Over $6.4 billion for property tax credits since 1988
- Odds and prize share of sales published for each game
What to watch
- No online or courier ticket sales; the app only makes digital playslips for retailers
- Winners' name and city are released on request
- Prizes not claimed within 180 days are forfeited
At a glance
Score breakdown
Rubric & weights- Odds & value 25% weight5/10
Sells the national games at national odds, and its own Megabucks jackpot is 1 in 6,991,908 (wilottery.com/games/megabucks).
- Transparency 20% weight7/10
Publishes odds and prize share of sales per game (about 50% to 53%) and a revenue split on its About page (wilottery.com/about/about-lottery).
- Player protection 20% weight6/10
Has a responsible-gaming page and a helpline, but no self-exclusion or spending-limit tools were verified (wilottery.com/resp-gaming/home).
- Ease of play 15% weight6/10
Retail-only: the FAQ says tickets can be bought only at a Wisconsin Lottery retailer, though the app makes digital playslips.
- Payouts & claims 10% weight5/10
Winners' name and city are released on request, and draw prizes not claimed within 180 days are forfeited.
- Reputation 10% weight7/10
No sourced regulatory or court event was found; the Lottery reports over $21.1 billion in revenue since 1988 on its About page.
Games, prices and published odds
Top prizes and odds
| Game | Match | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerball | 5 + Powerball | Jackpot (rolls) | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| 5 | $1,000,000 | 1 in 11,688,053.52 | |
| 4 + Powerball | $50,000 | 1 in 913,129.18 | |
| Mega Millions | 5 + Mega Ball | Jackpot | 1 in 290,472,336 |
| 5 | $2,000,000 to $10,000,000 by multiplier (2X to 10X) | 1 in 12,629,232 | |
| 4 + Mega Ball | $20,000 to $100,000 by multiplier (2X to 10X) | 1 in 893,761 | |
| Megabucks | 6 of 6 | Jackpot | 1 in 6,991,908 |
| 5 of 6 | $500 | 1 in 27,101 | |
| 4 of 6 | $30 | 1 in 517 | |
| Badger 5 | 5 of 5 | Jackpot | 1 in 169,911 |
| 4 of 5 | $50 | 1 in 1,308 | |
| 3 of 5 | $2 | 1 in 53 | |
| SuperCash! | 6 of 6 | $350,000 (top prize) | 1 in 1,631,312 |
| 5 of 6 | $500 | 1 in 8,239 | |
| 4 of 6 | $30 | 1 in 206 |
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 Wisconsin Lottery suits adults aged 18 or over who are happy to buy tickets in person at a retailer and who like local games such as Megabucks, Badger 5 and SuperCash!. It is a poor fit if you want to buy online or keep a win private.
How it works
The Wisconsin Lottery is a state agency based in Madison, and the state file gives 1988 as its start. It sells Powerball at $2 and Mega Millions at $5, plus three games of its own: Megabucks at $1 (Wed and Sat), and Badger 5 and SuperCash! at $1 each, drawn daily. Tickets run from $1 to $5. See the Wisconsin state page.
How it scored
Transparency and reputation are the strongest results, both at 7. The lottery publishes odds and the prize share of sales per game, about 50% to 53%, and a revenue split on its About page. We found no sourced regulatory or court event.
Payouts and claims is the weakest at 5, because winners’ names and cities are released on request and draw prizes not claimed within 180 days are forfeited. Odds and value also scored 5: the national games carry national odds, and the Megabucks jackpot is 1 in 6,991,908. Player protection scored 6, with a helpline (800-GAMBLE-5) but no verified self-exclusion or spending-limit tools. Ease of play scored 6 because sales are retail only.
Claims, tax and funding
Prizes up to $599 are paid at any retailer. Prizes from $600 to $199,999 go to the Madison or Milwaukee office or by mail, and $200,000 and over to the Madison validation office. The window is 180 days, and the state tax rate is 7.65%, with federal withholding of 24%. Anonymity is not allowed. Read the claiming guide and lottery taxes explained.
Profits fund Wisconsin property tax credits: over $6.4 billion since 1988, or 30.5% of revenue. Unclaimed prizes go to the property tax relief fund.
Playing online
There are no official online sales and no courier apps. The iOS and Android app only makes digital playslips that a retailer prints. The lottery has a responsible-gaming page and was approved for World Lottery Association Responsible Gaming Level 2 Certification in September 2022.
Our take
Wisconsin is a solid, transparent retail lottery with a respectable funding record. Its weak points are the 7.65% state tax, the lack of anonymity and a forfeiture rule after 180 days. Set a budget before you play, and check your tickets promptly.
On the record
Regulatory, legal and news items from the last five years that informed the reputation score. Each is stated as the source reports it.
- 2022-09-01Wisconsin Lottery was approved for World Lottery Association Responsible Gaming Level 2 Certification. Source
Frequently asked questions
- Is Wisconsin Lottery legit?
- Wisconsin Lottery is operated by Wisconsin Lottery. The Wisconsin Lottery is a state lottery with its Madison and Milwaukee offices in the Department of Revenue buildings. Tickets are sold only at Wisconsin Lottery retailers. Purchasers must be at least 18. We rate it 6.0/10 (Fair) on odds, transparency, player protection, ease of play, payouts and reputation, verified November 2, 2026.
- How much does Wisconsin Lottery cost?
- From $1 to $5.
- What are the odds of winning at Wisconsin Lottery?
- Powerball: top prize Jackpot (rolls until won) 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 Wisconsin Lottery?
- The minimum age is 18.
- How long do you have to claim a Wisconsin Lottery prize?
- 180 days. Prizes up to $599 at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer. $600 to $199,999 at the Madison or Milwaukee Lottery office or by mail. $200,000 and over at the Madison validation office. Draw prizes not claimed within 180 days are forfeited.
- What are the downsides of Wisconsin Lottery?
- No online or courier ticket sales; the app only makes digital playslips for retailers. Winners' name and city are released on request. Prizes not claimed within 180 days are forfeited.
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.
- Wisconsin Lottery: homepage · accessed November 2, 2026
- Wisconsin Lottery: About · accessed November 2, 2026
- Wisconsin Lottery: FAQs · accessed November 2, 2026
- Wisconsin Lottery: How to Claim a Prize · accessed November 2, 2026
- Wisconsin Lottery: Badger 5 · accessed November 2, 2026
- Wisconsin Lottery: Responsible Gaming · accessed November 2, 2026
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