The best lottery to play depends on what you prioritize: the highest odds of winning, the biggest jackpot, or the combination of both. Among lotteries with good odds, state-specific games like "Pick-6 with XTRA" in New Jersey (1 in 7 odds overall), "Fantasy 5" in Florida (1 in 7.58 odds), and "North 5" in Minnesota (1 in 6 odds) provide some of the most favorable chances to win prizes. For very large jackpots, international lotteries like the US Mega Millions (jackpots starting at $25 million) and the European EuroMillions (up to $400 million tax-free jackpots) are popular choices.
Best Odds Lotteries (Examples)
- New Jersey Pick-6 with XTRA: 1 in 7 odds overall, top prize starts at $2 million
- Florida Fantasy 5: 1 in 7.58 odds, $100,000 top prize
- Minnesota North 5: 1 in 6 odds, $25,000 top prize
Biggest Jackpot Lotteries
- US Mega Millions: jackpots up to $2.4 billion, minimum $25 million weekly
- EuroMillions: jackpots up to $400 million tax-free
- Powerball: often starts at $20 million, jackpots can grow very large
Considerations
- State games often have better odds but smaller jackpots
- Major international lotteries offer life-changing jackpots but have lower odds
- Some lotteries offer multipliers or additional prize tiers to increase winnings on non-jackpot prizes
Choosing the best lottery to play depends on your personal preference for odds versus jackpot size. For the best odds with decent prizes, state lotteries like those in New Jersey, Florida, and Minnesota stand out. For the potential of massive jackpots, Mega Millions and EuroMillions are top picks.
