Texas Lottery

Overview

The Texas voters approved an amendment to the Texas Constitution on November 5, 1991, which resulted in the authorization of lottery sales in Texas.Lotto Texas started to be sold exactly on November 7, 1992, having its first drawing on the 14th of the same month. Thus, there was also the first jackpot won on November 28, 1992.

However, it is important to mention that the first ticket sold was to Governor Ann Richards, on May 29, 1992 for the Lone Star Millions scratch-off game.As the years went by, Lotto Texas became more successful, breaking the record set by Lotto California, selling more than one billion dollars in 1993.

On the other side, it also generated a new record in the year 2021, selling $1.49 billion in draw games. While Lotto Texas supports the needs of Texas school districts, it also supports The Texas Veterans Commission’s Fund for Veterans’ Assistance, with which it partnered in 2009.

Besides, Lotto Texas has a wide variety of games to offer to its customers, so that they can enjoy and be entertained responsibly.Among the games are: scratch tickets, in-house drawing, Texas two step, all or nothing, cash five and more.

Texas Lottery Management and How The Money is Handled

An important thing to note about the Texas Lottery is that in fiscal year 2021 it maintained administrative costs at 3.54% of sales, making it one of the lowest administrative expense rates in the country.

This lottery’s funds are largely distributed in prizes and commissions to retailers: approximately 70% of lottery proceeds go to prizes and commissions.

In addition, a percentage of the proceeds goes to the Foundation School Fund and another percentage to the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance.

At this time, the Texas Lottery has contributed significantly more than $27 billion to Texas public education and more than $166 million to Texas veterans.

Expected Return for Texas Lottery

The way the Texas Lottery handles the RTP is a little bit different than usual. For example, if the player only gets only one lottery ticket, he/she will generally lose 100% of his/her investment.

This is due to the fact that this lottery allocates the vast majority of its revenue to the state, making the total return usually less than 100% of the lottery prize.

However, in some cases the jackpot is large enough, making the RTP greater than 100%. This compensates for the fact that the RTP is generally less than 100%.

How to Play Lottery Games in Texas

It is important to remember that in order to play at Texas Lotto you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid ID.

Among the games that are available in the Texas Lottery are the following:

Daily 4

To buy a ticket for this game you must pay between 50 cents or $1. This game consists of choosing 4 numbers from 0 to 9. They can also be chosen at random.

Drawings are made every day at 10 a.m., 12:27 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10:12 p.m.

Mega Millions and Powerball

Mega Millions is based on choosing 5 numbers between 1 and 70, adding an extra number (“Mega Ball”) that must be between 1 and 25. The ticket costs $2.

Drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 p.m.

Cash Five

The ticket for this game costs $1 and the player must choose 5 numbers between 1 and 35. We can choose the number or generate it randomly.

The drawing is scheduled from Monday through Saturday at 10:12 p.m.

Texas Two Step

In Texas Two Step the player must choose 4 numbers between 1 and 35, also adding an extra number that goes from 1 to 35 (“Bonus Ball”). The ticket costs $1.

Drawings for this game are held on Mondays and Thursdays at 10:12 p.m.

  • Lotto Texas: For this game, 6 numbers between 1 and 54 are chosen. Each ticket costs $1. The drawing takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:12 p.m.
  • Scratch Tickets: Sometimes, Texas Lotto offers several scratch tickets where the prices and prizes are variable. The price of a ticket can be $1, $2, $3, $5, $10, $20, $30 and $50.
  • Pick 3: This game is quite similar to “Daily 4”, however the number of numbers to choose from is 4. The ticket costs 50 cents or $1.
  • All or Nothing: This game is based on choosing 12 numbers, from 1 to 24. This ticket costs $2. The drawings of this game are from Monday to Saturday at 10 a.m, 12:27 p.m, 6 p.m and 10:12 p.m.

To learn more about the games of this lottery, you can access the Texas Lotto web site, where it is explained in detail.

How to Buy Lottery Ticket and Claim Prizes in Texas

Texas Lottery tickets may be purchased at authorized Texas retailers. At this time, purchases by mail, phone or web are not authorized.

The process for claiming prizes is different depending on the amount.

  • For prizes under $599, the winner can pick up the prize at any retailer.
  • However, for prizes between $600 and $2.5 million, the prize must be claimed at a local claim center or at the Austin Lottery Commission, for which it is important to fill out the online claim form and print it out.
  • For prizes between $2.5 million and $5 million, an online claim form must also be completed. These prizes can be claimed at claim centers in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.
  • Finally, for prizes over $5 million, an appointment is required for processing at the Austin Lottery Commission.

For more information, visit the lottery’s website.

How to Contact the Texas Lottery

There are several ways to contact the Texas Lottery, including the following:

The main office is located at the following address: Texas Lottery Commission Headquarters. 611 E. 6th Street, Austin, Texas 78701.

Summary

As in all gambling games, there is always some risk involved in playing a lottery, however, Texas Lottery is a safe and secure lottery. In addition to that, a percentage of the proceeds go to good causes.

Besides, the prizes that are obtained at the moment of winning can be quite high, being something in favor of the player.

If you wish to play a ticket in the Texas Lottery, remember that you must be of legal age and buy the ticket legally, that is to say in an authorized retailer.