The NH Lottery (New Hampshire Lottery) is one of the more storied and well-established lottery systems in the United States. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how the NH Lottery works, what games are offered, rules, odds, tips, and everything a player or curious reader would want to know.
We’ll also cover history, legal/regulatory aspects, common questions, and responsible play.
Note: If you manage a site about lotteries, gaming, or state services, you can internally link to related content like “State Lotteries Comparison” or “How to Claim Lottery Winnings in US”.
History of the NH Lottery
The NH Lottery has a unique and interesting origin story:
- The New Hampshire Lottery (initially “New Hampshire Sweepstakes”) was first authorized in 1963, with its first tickets sold in March 1964.
- It is the third-oldest lottery in U.S. history, and oldest in the contiguous U.S.
- Uniquely, early Sweepstakes drawings were tied to horse races at Rockingham Park, rather than traditional number draws, as a way to navigate federal anti-lottery statutes of that era.
- Over the decades, the NH Lottery expanded from its in-state games to include interstate games like Powerball and Mega Millions.
- In 1985, NH joined the Tri-State Lottery compact (with Maine and Vermont) to co-manage draw games like Megabucks, Pick 3, Pick 4, etc.
- In September 2018, the NH Lottery launched its iLottery / online ticketing system, allowing residents to purchase certain tickets or scratch games online (subject to state law).
This history gives the NH Lottery strong credentials in legitimacy, and positions it as a pioneer among state lotteries.
How the NH Lottery Operates
Organizational Structure & Mandate
The NH Lottery is overseen by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. Its mission includes:
- Maximizing revenues to support public education in New Hampshire.
- Ensuring integrity, security, and transparency in lottery operations.
- Regulating licensed retailers, compliance, audits, and investigations.
The NH Lottery is also part of national and regional lottery associations (like MUSL) for cross-state games..
Revenue Flow
A significant share of lottery proceeds is earmarked for education. Over time, billions of dollars have been distributed to New Hampshire schools.
The breakdown (typical) is:
- Prize payouts
- Retailer commissions
- Operational costs
- Education / public good programs
Because Nebraska law permits, the lottery’s financials are typically published in annual reports or state budgets (check NH state financial reports for detailed percentages).
Security & Oversight
To maintain trust and ensure fairness, the NH Lottery employs:
- Draw audits and observation
- Secure random number generation or mechanical draw machines
- Rigorous retailer and ticket vendor licensing
- Compliance and investigation units (NH Lottery Commission’s Investigation & Compliance Division)
- Publicly posted winning numbers and audit trails
These measures help reduce fraud risk and maintain legitimacy.
Games Offered by NH Lottery
The NH Lottery offers a broad portfolio of games. These fall into several categories:
1. Tri-State / In-State Games
These games are shared among NH, Maine, and Vermont under the Tri-State Lottery compact.
- Pick 3: Daily drawing, multiple play types
- Pick 4: Similarly daily
- Gimme 5: Drawn weekdays
- Megabucks / Megabucks Plus: Classic 5 + 1 number draws on set schedule (e.g. Wednesdays & Saturdays)
- Fast Play: Instant-style terminal games offered through Tri-State
- Possibly other in-state scratch or terminal games
2. Multi-State / National Games
NH participates in several large, national lotteries:
- Powerball: NH joined in 1995 under MUSL membership.
- Mega Millions: As of January 31, 2010, NH began offering Mega Millions.
- Lucky for Life: A long-term prize / “lifetime” style game also offered in NH.
3. Scratch / Instant / e-Instant Games
These are physical scratch-off tickets and now digital e-Instant games via the online system.
- Scratch tickets priced at various levels (e.g. $1, $2, $5, $10, etc.)
- E-Instant games are digital equivalents you can play online through NH’s iLottery platform.
4. Keno 603
- Unique to NH, named for NH’s telephone area code 603.
- Draws run every 5 minutes, daily from 11:05 AM to 1:00 AM.
- Tickets are sold at retailers (or possibly via mobile) and you choose numbers and match them for prizes.
How to Play NH Lottery
Buying Tickets – Retail
- Tickets for draw games (Pick 3, Powerball, etc.) are sold at authorized retail locations across NH.
- Scratch / instant tickets are also sold physically.
- Most retailers will have cutoff times before draws (e.g. 1–2 hours before draw), so you must purchase before that window.
Online / Mobile (iLottery)
- NH offers an iLottery service, allowing certain games (especially e-Instant and draw ticket sales) online or via mobile.
- The official NH Lottery mobile app allows players to:
- Buy draw game tickets (Powerball, Mega Millions, etc.)
- Play e-Instant games
- Scan physical tickets to check for winnings
- Watch drawings (Keno 603)
- Get updates on new scratch tickets
- Participate in promotions / loyalty programs (My603Rewards)
- Important restrictions:
- Users must be 18 years or older to play.
- Players must be physically within New Hampshire (geolocation) to deposit, purchase, or play (for online draws).
Drawing Schedule & Cutoffs
Here’s a representative schedule (times in Eastern Time) for New Hampshire games:
| Game | Drawing Times / Days | Notes / Cutoff Info |
|---|---|---|
| Pick 3 / Pick 4 | Daily at 1:10 PM (Day) & 6:55 PM (Evening) | Retail / online sales close shortly before drawing. |
| Megabucks | Wednesdays & Saturdays (~7:59 PM) | Tri-State format. |
| Keno 603 | Every 5 minutes between 11:05 AM and 1:00 AM | Rolling draws. |
| Powerball | MW & Sat (10:59 PM ET) | Also applies to NH. |
| Mega Millions | Tuesdays & Fridays (11:00 PM) | Available in NH. |
| Lucky for Life | Daily draw at ~10:38 PM | NH participates. |
Always verify cutoffs on the official NH Lottery site before purchasing.
Claiming Winnings
- Small prizes (below a threshold, commonly <$600) can often be redeemed at retailers.
- Larger prizes (e.g. $600 and up) must be claimed in person at NH Lottery headquarters or via mail.
- There is typically a one-year time limit from the date of the drawing to claim a prize.
- When claiming, you will normally need to present:
- The winning ticket (signed on back)
- Proof of identity
- Completed claim forms
- Possibly tax information (federal and state withholding)
- If winnings exceed certain thresholds, taxes may be withheld automatically.
Always refer to the NH Lottery’s “How to Claim” page for the latest policies.
Odds, Prizes, and Prize Structure
Odds
Each game has a specific odds structure. Some typical figures:
- Powerball: very steep odds (1 in tens or hundreds of millions for jackpot)
- Mega Millions: similar scale odds for jackpot.
- Pick 3 / Pick 4: odds are much more favorable (for smaller prizes)
- Keno 603: depending on how many numbers you choose vs drawn, the odds vary significantly
- Scratch / e-Instant: odds vary by game; usually printed on the back of the ticket
Because odds are game-specific, always consult the published Odds & Prize Tables from the NH Lottery website.
Prize Structure
- Jackpots: the top prize in draw games (Powerball, Mega Millions, Megabucks)
- Fixed Prizes: lower-tier matching prizes (e.g. matching 3 of 5)
- Multiplier features (e.g. “Megaplier” in Mega Millions) that multiply non-jackpot prizes
- Progressive jackpots or rollovers in games where not all prize is claimed
- E-Instant / scratch prizes: instant payout structures from small to large
As an example, Powerball’s top prize is shared equally among winners who match all required numbers; if only one winner, that person gets full advertised jackpot.
Where Proceeds Go & Impact
One of the more compelling reasons people participate (beyond chance of winning) is knowing that lottery proceeds are used for public benefit.
- In New Hampshire, a significant share of lottery revenue is allocated to public education.
- Since its inception, the NH Lottery has contributed billions of dollars to schools.
- Retailers distributing lottery tickets also earn commissions, which helps local businesses
- The lottery also supports state-level infrastructure, outreach, and marketing
Because lottery funding is often supplemental, it rarely replaces core education funding, but it provides a valuable revenue stream for extras, programs, or capital improvements.
Regulation, Security & Integrity
Maintaining trust is essential. Here’s how NH ensures that:
- The NH Lottery Commission enforces rules, audits, inspects retailers, investigates suspicious activity.
- Draws are audited, and random number generation or mechanical ball draws are used in a transparent environment
- Public posting of winning numbers and prize breakdowns
- Ticket validation systems (barcodes, digital signatures)
- Investigation & compliance division specifically ensures integrity.
- Licensing and oversight of vendors and suppliers of equipment
These measures align with E-E-A-T (Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) standards, reinforcing the lottery’s credibility.
Tips for Players & Responsible Gaming
Playing the lottery should be fun, not a financial burden. Here are tips and guidance:
- Set a budget: only use what you can afford to lose
- Use random picks vs favorite numbers: either is fine, but expect randomness
- Check cutoffs & deadlines carefully so you don’t miss the draw
- Double-check your tickets! Sign the back immediately
- Claim small prizes quickly to avoid forgetting
- Don’t chase losses — treat each ticket independently
- Be aware of scams — the NH Lottery will never ask for money upfront
- Use the mobile app responsibly — don’t overspend
Because NH requires 18+, always verify age and identity compliance.
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
- App login / verification issues — some users report difficulties receiving 2FA codes or scanning tickets via the NH Lottery app.
- Missing deadlines — don’t attempt to redeem after expiration
- Incorrect number of matches / prize disputes — use official NH published results to verify.
- Cross-state play limitations — you can only legally play NH lottery within NH (for online)
- Scam alerts — Always verify that communications claiming lottery wins are genuine
If problems persist, contact NH Lottery customer support or consult the official website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below are some of the most common questions about the NH Lottery.
Q1: What is the NH Lottery?
A: The NH Lottery is the official state-run lottery system in New Hampshire, offering draw games, scratch tickets, and digital e-Instant games.
Q2: How old do you have to be to play in New Hampshire?
A: You must be at least 18 years old to purchase NH Lottery tickets or participate in online games.
Q3: Can I play the NH Lottery online?
A: Yes — through the NH iLottery platform. You can buy draw game tickets, play e-Instant games, and check tickets via the NH Lottery mobile app.
Q4: What games are available through the NH Lottery?
A: NH offers in-state/Tri-State games (Pick 3, Pick 4, Megabucks, Gimme 5), multi-state games (Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky for Life), scratch/e-Instant tickets, and Keno 603.
Q5: When are the drawings held?
A: It depends on the game. For example:
- Pick 3 / Pick 4: daily at 1:10 PM and 6:55 PM
- Megabucks: Wed & Sat around 7:59 PM
- Keno 603: every 5 minutes from 11:05 AM to 1:00 AM
- Powerball: MW & Sat ~10:59 PM ET
- Mega Millions: Tue & Fri ~11:00 PM ET
Always confirm via official NH Lottery website.
Q6: What are the odds of winning?
A: Odds vary by game. Multi-state jackpot games like Powerball have extremely low odds for the top prize. Scratch and in-state games have much better odds for smaller prizes. Always consult the published odds table for each game.
Q7: How do I claim my NH Lottery winnings?
A:
- Smaller prizes (e.g., below $600) can be redeemed at most retailers.
- Larger prizes must be claimed at NH Lottery headquarters or via mail, using proof of identity and signed ticket.
- Winnings typically must be claimed within one year of the draw.
Q8: Are lottery proceeds used for a specific purpose?
A: Yes. In NH, proceeds are largely dedicated to public education and related state programs.
Q9: Is the NH Lottery legal?
A: Absolutely. The NH Lottery is state-sanctioned, regulated, and operated under statutory authority with oversight from the New Hampshire Lottery Commission.
Q10: How can I tell if a “winning notification” is a scam?
A: Be wary if asked to pay upfront fees, send money, or provide banking info. The official NH Lottery does not ask for money to release prizes. Always verify through official channels.
Conclusion & Call to Action
The NH Lottery is a well-established, regulated, and transparent system offering a variety of games for residents and visitors of New Hampshire. Whether you’re trying your luck on Powerball, scratching tickets, or playing Keno, it helps to understand the rules, odds, and how the system works behind the scenes.