The Ohio Lottery is a state-run lottery that offers players the chance to win prizes through draw games and scratch-off tickets. While Ohio does not currently allow players to buy lottery tickets fully online, residents can check results, manage entries, and access promotions through the official Ohio Lottery website and the MyLotto Rewards program.

This guide explains how the Ohio Lottery works, including the games available, how prizes are claimed, and how lottery winnings are taxed in Ohio. We’ll also cover the MyLotto Rewards program and other key information players should know before buying a ticket.

Is the Online Lottery Legal in Ohio?

Yes, the Ohio Lottery itself is legal, although online purchases are not offered by the state. Whether you’re a resident or physically located within Ohio’s state borders, any individual who is at least 18 years old is eligible to play the Ohio Lottery.  

The Ohio Lottery Commission was founded in May 1973. It was a result of a constitutional amendment, State Issue 1, which was approved by voters. 

The Ohio Lottery is a state-run operation overseen by the Ohio Lottery Commission. Ohio does not currently authorize online lottery ticket sales through the state lottery, but some third-party courier services ( such as Jackpocket, Jackpot.com, and others) allow players to order tickets online. These companies operate independently from the Ohio Lottery.

Ohio Lottery: How It Works

The Ohio Lottery offers several draw games, including multi-state jackpots and state-specific games. This includes popular national lottery draws and jackpot games like Mega Millions and Powerball. 

Due to its popularity, the Ohio Lottery ranks eighth in total traditional game sales. It’s also fifth in draw game sales and ninth in instant game sales. 

As a result, $1.4 billion is generated in annual profit for the state’s Lottery Profits Education Fund.  

Who can play: Ohio Lottery Eligibility Requirements

Players must be 18 years or older to play the Ohio Lottery, but they do not need to be Ohio residents to purchase a ticket. Tickets can be bought at licensed Ohio Lottery retailers throughout the state.

In most cases, players do not need to present identification to buy a ticket, but a valid government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport) may be required when claiming certain prizes, particularly larger winnings.

Ohio Lottery Promo Code & Bonuses

The Ohio Lottery does not offer a standard promo code for players. However, registered users on the official Ohio Lottery website or mobile app may still find occasional promotions and bonus opportunities tied to digital lottery play.

Ohio Lottery Promotions For Existing Players

Promotions may include second-chance drawings, seasonal campaigns, or limited-time offers tied to certain lottery games. Because these promotions change periodically, players can visit the Promotions page or log into their Ohio Lottery account to view the most up-to-date offers and eligibility requirements.
Cashword Replay is one promotion currently run by the Ohio Lottery. Enter any non-expired, non-winning Cashword scratch-off ticket to earn one entry into its current drawing period. 

Ohio Lottery Rewards Program

The Ohio Lottery MyLotto Rewards program exists for registered players on the Ohio Lottery mobile app. Collect points by submitting non-winning tickets or participating in activities through the Ohio Lottery app. 

Tap the “Rewards” tab located along the bottom toolbar of your Ohio Lottery mobile app to view your point balance. Redeem points for Lottery Cash & Coupons to purchase lottery tickets at any Ohio Lottery retailer.

You can enter up to 1200 points worth of tickets per month. Enter as many drawings as your points permit!

How to play the Ohio Lottery

The Ohio Lottery primarily operates through physical ticket sales at licensed retailers across the state. Players can purchase draw game tickets or scratch-offs at thousands of locations, including convenience stores, gas stations, and supermarkets.

While Ohio does not currently offer full online ticket sales through the official lottery website, players can still use the Ohio Lottery website and mobile app to check results, verify tickets, and participate in the MyLotto Rewards program. By scanning the barcode on a purchased ticket in the app, players can confirm whether it’s a winner or earn MyLotto Rewards points for eligible non-winning tickets.

Players who prefer to order tickets online may also use lottery courier services, which purchase official Ohio Lottery tickets from licensed retailers on a player’s behalf and store a digital copy in the user’s account. The next section explains how these Ohio Lottery courier services work and which platforms are available.

Ohio Lottery Courier Services

Ohio does not currently offer a full online lottery platform, meaning players typically need to buy tickets in person from licensed retailers. However, several lottery courier services allow Ohio residents to order tickets online. These companies purchase physical lottery tickets from authorized retailers on your behalf, then upload a digital scan to your account so you can track results and winnings through the app or website.

Jackpot.com

Jackpot.com is a lottery courier service that allows Ohio players to order tickets for major draw games such as Powerball and Mega Millions online. After placing an order, the service purchases the ticket from a licensed retailer and stores a digital copy in your account for verification and prize tracking.

Jackpocket

Jackpocket is one of the best-known lottery courier apps in the United States. The platform allows users to order tickets online, receive scanned copies of their tickets, and get automatic notifications if they win. Those located in Ohio can claim $10 in lottery bonus credits with an initial deposit at Jackpocket.

Lotto.com

Lotto.com provides a similar courier service, purchasing official lottery tickets from licensed retailers on behalf of players. Users can order tickets through the website or app, view ticket scans in their account, and receive alerts for drawing results.

Mido Lotto

Mido Lotto is another lottery courier platform that lets players order lottery tickets online. The service buys physical tickets from licensed retailers and uploads them to the user’s account so players can track their entries and winnings digitally.

Ohio Lottery Games

The Ohio Lottery offers several draw games and instant scratch-off tickets. The Ohio Lottery also offers dozens of scratch-off instant tickets, which also tend to rotate and refresh to optimize your experience. 

Tap on the Games tab at the bottom of your Ohio Lottery mobile app. Let’s take some time to review the most popular Ohio Online Lottery games.

Powerball

Powerball is one of two national lottery games available in Ohio. Powerball jackpots typically start at $20M and grow as tickets are sold. To play, select five numbers from 1-69 and one red Powerball number from 1 to 26. It only costs $2 per play, or $3 with a Power Play multiplier, with scaling prizes if you match even one correct number!

Players have a few options to purchase a Powerball ticket through the Ohio Lottery. On the Ohio Lottery mobile app, you can create a digital ePlaySlip after selecting your numbers. Then, scan the barcode at an Ohio Lottery retailer.  

Register an account on one of the third-party courier services mentioned earlier, like Lotto.com or Jackpot.com. This lets you purchase your Powerball ticket directly from your mobile device. Winning numbers are drawn each Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. 

Mega Millions 

Mega Millions is the other national lottery draw overseen by the Ohio Lottery Commission. It operates with the same purchasing options that we outlined for the Powerball. 

The Mega Millions jackpot currently totals $473 million. Winning numbers get announced every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. 

In this national lottery draw game, you select five numbers 1-70 and one Mega Ball number between 1-24. If you match all six numbers, you win the jackpot. Prizes start at $10, and there are multiple ways to earn winnings. Leverage the Multiplier feature to increase non-jackpot prizes between 2x and 10x. 

It’s no wonder the Mega Millions is such a popular draw on the Ohio Online Lottery!

Ohio Lottery Draw Games

The Ohio Lottery includes several in-state draw games to play. Some of the most prominent in-state lottery draws feature Classic Lotto and Rolling Cash 5. Pick games are also available under in-state lottery draws on the Ohio Lottery. Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 5 can be selected, each featuring two daily drawings. 

Instant Win Games

Instant win games through the Ohio Lottery primarily feature scratch-off games. You can enter scratch-off games starting at $1, while maxing out at $50. 

Choose from a few dozen scratch-off games. Unlike national and in-state draws, which occur at set times, scratch-off games can be played at any time throughout the day. 

There are no iLottery games available to play on the Ohio Lottery app.

Keno and Monitor Games

Keno and The Lucky One are the Ohio Lottery’s two monitor games. These games run multiple featured drawings per hour and are only available to play at select Ohio Lottery retailers. Keno draws occur every four minutes daily. 

Select between 1 and 10 numbers out of 80 in Keno. 20 numbers get drawn at a time. In The Lucky One, you can select one number between 1 and 36. You can also bet on High/Low or Odd/Even. 

EZPLAY Games 

EZPLAY games feature 16 instant lottery games you can play at any time on an Ohio Lottery terminal or kiosk. You can match numbers or symbols, with game prices ranging from $1 to $20. 

There is also an EZPLAY Games Progressive Series. Select from 12 different multi-state jackpots, which update every 2 minutes, until a winner can claim the jackpot prize. 

How To Sign Up for the Ohio Lottery

Follow our guide below to expedite registering a new Ohio Lottery MyLotto Rewards account today!

Ohio Lottery Deposits, Withdrawals, and Claiming Winnings

Making deposits and withdrawals when playing the Ohio Lottery is available with minimal restrictions. We’ve also detailed how to successfully claim your winnings. 

Deposits & Payment Methods

Players do not deposit money directly with the Ohio Lottery, as payments occur via courier sites and retail services. Most payment methods are accepted for deposits when playing the Ohio Lottery. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover debit and credit cards are eligible for deposits at courier services. E-wallets, such as PayPal and Venmo, are also accepted payment methods. 

How Winnings Are Paid

Ohio Lottery prize winnings up to $599 are either paid immediately through auto credits or via the Ohio Lottery app’s mobile cashing feature. It’s a secure and convenient way for you to deposit your Ohio Lottery winnings directly into your linked bank account!

Any prize winnings up to $25,000 qualify for mobile cashing. Simply scan your winning Ohio Lottery ticket and select the “CASH OUT” button to initiate this 1-3 day process. 

Claiming Large Prizes & Jackpots

Claiming large prizes and jackpots above $25,000 requires players to go outside of the Ohio Lottery app to obtain their winnings.

Submit an online claim form, unless it’s a jackpot lottery draw. Or, you can send a mail-in claim to the Ohio Lottery Commission, which also requires your signed lottery ticket. 

Call your closest Ohio Lottery regional office to make an appointment. Submit your claim in person during this appointment. 

Online claim forms can take up to 30 days to be mailed. A winning ticket expires if it’s not claimed within 180 days. 

How to Claim Ohio Lottery Prizes

Claiming your Ohio Lottery prizes boils down to your total winnings from a specific lottery draw or game played. 

Prizes up to $599 can be auto-credited for immediate payment. Prizes worth $600 or more require a claim, with mobile cashing available up to $25,000. These transfers can take anywhere from 1-3 business days. Or, visit one of Ohio’s seven Racinos.  

You must claim your Ohio Lottery winnings within 180 days of the draw or game closing; otherwise, your winnings are returned to the state. Prizes exceeding $25,000 require either an in-person claim at an Ohio Lottery regional office, with online or mail-in claim forms also available as options.

Taxes on Lottery Winnings in Ohio

Ohio Lottery winnings are subject to federal and state taxes. Prizes $599 and under are not reported to the IRS, meaning $600 or more in winnings must be reported. 

Ohio’s state tax is four percent. Federal withholding is notably higher at 24 percent. IRS taxes are withheld for prizes exceeding $5,000. Prizes between $600 and $5,000 are not withheld but must be reported. 

Please consult an accountant or other professional before filing any Ohio Lottery winnings on your federal and state tax returns.  

Ohio Lottery App Review

The Ohio Lottery app is a great way to take advantage of non-winning draw and scratch-off tickets. Scan your non-winning tickets to earn MyLotto Rewards points. 

Redeem points for entry into upcoming draws and games. Purchase gift cards and other items from the Ohio Lottery app’s digital and physical catalog. 

Overall, the Ohio Lottery app is an intuitive and user-friendly platform. The toolbar along the bottom contains all of the necessary functions, although state law prohibits online draws and instant-win games from being played within the mobile app. 

Ohio Lottery vs. Online Casinos

The Ohio Lottery is overseen by the Ohio Lottery Commission and operates as a state-run program that supports education funding. It offers draw games like Powerball and Mega Millions, along with in-state draws and scratch-off tickets. Players can buy tickets at more than 10,000 retail locations or use licensed courier services such as Jackpot.com and Lotto.com to order tickets online.

The main difference between the Ohio Lottery and online casinos comes down to legality, structure, and gameplay. The lottery is fully legal and regulated in Ohio, while online casinos are not currently authorized to operate in the state. Lottery games are based on scheduled drawings or predetermined scratch-off outcomes and often feature large jackpots with long odds.

Online casinos, where legal in other states, offer continuous gameplay like slots and table games, typically providing more frequent but smaller payouts.

Ohio Lottery vs. Sweepstakes Casinos

Under federal sweepstakes and promotional law, online sweepstakes casinos allow players to access slot-style and table games using virtual currencies such as Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC), rather than placing direct real-money wagers. These platforms operate under promotional sweepstakes frameworks and are not affiliated with any state government.

The Ohio Lottery, by contrast, is run at the state level and operates under strict regulatory oversight. It offers official lottery draws and instant games with clearly defined rules and prize structures, and participation requires purchasing tickets with real currency.

Unlike sweepstakes casinos, which rely on promotional entry systems and virtual coin models, the Ohio Lottery provides direct entry into state-administered games that fund public education.

Ohio Lottery History

The Ohio Lottery and Ohio Lottery Commission were created through legislative action and voter referendum in May 1973. In August 1974, Buckeye 300 went on sale, marking the first game in the history of the Ohio Lottery.  

In 2002, the Ohio Lottery joined the Mega Millions multi-state lottery game, with its first drawing held on May 17. The state’s first Powerball drawing occurred on April 17, 2010. 

MyLotto Rewards launched in September 2014. In April 2020, mobile cashing was introduced. 

Ohio Lottery FAQ

Is the Ohio Lottery legal?

Yes, the Ohio Lottery is legal and run by the Ohio Lottery Commission.

Can I buy Powerball online in Ohio?

Yes, Powerball lottery tickets are available to purchase online in Ohio. Must be purchased through third-party courier services like Jackpot.com.

Do I have to live in Ohio or just be located there?

No, you do not have to live in Ohio to play the Ohio Lottery. However, you must be physically located within state borders.

How do I claim prizes?

You can claim Ohio Lottery prizes with auto-credits, mobile cashing, through an in-person appointment, or a mail-in claim form. Your total prize winnings dictate which option is available. 

Does the Ohio Lottery have an app?

Yes, the Ohio Lottery mobile app is available to download onto any iOS or Android mobile device.

Are there promo codes?

No. Cashword Replay is the lone promotional offer to claim on the Ohio Lottery.

Are winnings taxed?

Yes, Ohio Lottery winnings get taxed if prizes exceed $600. There is a 4% state tax enforced for prizes of $600+, with a 24% federal withholding tax on $5,000+ winnings. Taxes $600 to $5,000 are not withheld federally but must be reported.

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