How old do you have to be to play the lottery in Illinois?

You must be 18 or older to buy a Illinois lottery ticket.

How long do you have to claim a lottery prize in Illinois?

365 days, per the lottery's published rules.

Illinois taxes lottery prizes at 4.95%. Federal withholding of 24% also applies above $5,000.

Allowed in some cases. The exact conditions are on the state lottery page linked in our sources.

The Illinois Lottery site offers player accounts (Log in / Register); online winnings of $600 or less are added to the online account wallet.

Independent · Sourced · VerifiedResponsible play Corrections

State guide

By Daniel Whitfield, EditorFacts verified November 3, 2026

Age. You must be 18 or older to buy a ticket or claim a prize.
Claim window. Draw-game prizes must be claimed within 365 days of the drawing. Miss it and the prize goes to the state's unclaimed-prize fund.
Privacy. Winner anonymity is Allowed in some cases. Check the threshold and process on the lottery’s claim page before you sign the ticket.
Taxes. The state withholds or taxes lottery prizes at 4.95%, on top of 24% federal withholding above $5,000. Your final bill depends on your return.
Online. The Illinois Lottery site offers player accounts (Log in / Register); online winnings of $600 or less are added to the online account wallet.
Where the money goes. Profits go to the Common School Fund for K-12 public schools, plus special-cause tickets.

Powerball · Mega Millions

Illinois state lottery: Powerball and Mega Millions with official online sales; state payout rules not yet verified.

Best for: Illinois players who want to buy national jackpot tickets online through the state lottery.

State lottery: Illinois Lottery
Running since: 1974
Minimum age: 18+
Official online sales: Yes
Courier apps: None operating
State tax on prizes: 4.95%
Claim deadline: 365 days
Winner anonymity: Allowed in some cases
Where proceeds go: Profits go to the Common School Fund for K-12 public schools, plus special-cause tickets.

How old do you have to be to play the lottery in Illinois?: You must be 18 or older to buy a Illinois lottery ticket.
How long do you have to claim a lottery prize in Illinois?: 365 days, per the lottery's published rules.
Does Illinois tax lottery winnings?: Illinois taxes lottery prizes at 4.95%. Federal withholding of 24% also applies above $5,000.
Can you stay anonymous if you win the lottery in Illinois?: Allowed in some cases. The exact conditions are on the state lottery page linked in our sources.
Can you buy lottery tickets online in Illinois?: The Illinois Lottery site offers player accounts (Log in / Register); online winnings of $600 or less are added to the online account wallet.

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.

Problem gambling help in Illinois: state resources or call 1‑800‑GAMBLER.