Ohio is known for many things: its diverse landscapes, rich history, and of course, its love for football. But there’s another tradition that many Ohioans enthusiastically share: playing the lottery. The Ohio Lottery has been a part of daily life for decades, bringing the thrill of possibly winning big. From the iconic Powerball lottery to local Ohio lotteries like Classic Lotto, each drawing brings the hope of hitting those winning numbers that could change everything.
In this article, we’ll dive into the winning numbers of the Ohio Lottery, how to play, and most importantly, how to claim your prizes. Keep reading to learn more and boost your chances of becoming the next big winner!
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About the Ohio Lottery
The Ohio Lottery is one of the most popular and long-standing state lotteries in the United States. Since its beginning in 1974, its purpose has been clear: to generate additional revenue for public education in the state. Over the years, it has more than fulfilled that mission. In 2023 alone, Ohio students benefited from $1.405 billion thanks to lottery revenue.
The Ohio Lottery also boasts the nation’s longest-running lottery TV show, the Cash Explosion Show, which airs every Saturday night. For many Ohio households, Cash Explosion is a tradition, adding to the excitement and anticipation around the winning lottery numbers.
Over the years, countless players have dreamed of matching those winning Ohio Lottery numbers, and many have succeeded. In 2023 alone, Ohio players won a staggering $2.8 billion in lottery prizes. These winnings don’t just benefit the players-retailers earn a nice commission on the sales, too. In fact, 9,800 retailers earned $282.1 million in commissions in 2023.
Ohio Lottery Draw Games
The Ohio Lottery offers a wide variety of lottery games, from multi-state options like Powerball and Mega Millions to state-exclusive games. Each game has its own set of rules and prizes, so you can choose the one that best suits your preferences.
Here’s a look at the lotteries available in Ohio and how they work.
Lottery Games Available in Ohio
Powerball: This is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States. To play, you select five numbers from 1 to 69, along with an additional number for the Powerball, which ranges from 1 to 26. If you manage to match all six winning numbers, you will be the next big Powerball winner in Ohio.
Mega Millions: Mega Millions is another game that attracts many players who dream of winning a billion dollar jackpot. In this game, you pick five numbers from 1 to 70, plus an additional number for the Mega Ball, which ranges from 1 to 25. To win the jackpot, all of your numbers must match the drawn numbers.
Lucky for life: This game offers a unique opportunity to win a prize for life – $1,000 a day for life. To win this lottery prize in Ohio, you must match five main numbers from 1 to 48, plus the winning Lucky Ball number from 1 to 18.
Classic Lotto: This is an Ohio Lottery exclusive where you select six numbers from 1 to 49. If all your numbers match, you win the jackpot, which starts at $1 million and keeps growing until someone wins. It’s a classic choice for those who want to become millionaires.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: These are daily games that offer different ways to bet and win. Players choose between three and five numbers, and each game offers different combinations and betting options. Depending on the combination you choose, you can win cash prizes ranging from small amounts to large sums.
Ohio Lottery Past Winning Numbers
Below are the latest winning numbers for the games offered by the Ohio Lottery. Take a look and double-check your ticket – you could be holding one of these winning numbers!
To make sure you’re the first to know if you’ve won a prize, we recommend downloading the Lottonia App. Right after each drawing, Lottonia will send you a notification with the Ohio Lottery winning numbers, so you never miss a chance to celebrate.
| Lottery Game | Date of the last Drawing | Winning numbers | Jackpot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerball | 03/17/2025 | 11-18-23-38-60 *PB: 9 | $398 M Cash: $185.8 M |
| Mega Millions | 03/18/2025 | 27-28-31-32-33 *MB: 24 | $301 M Cash: $140.0 M |
| Lucky of Life | 03/18/2025 | 8-20-37-39-46 *LB: 15 | $1,000 a day for life. Cash: $5.8 M |
| Classic Lotto | 03/17/2025 | 5-14-16-17-19-24 | $2 M |
| Rolling Cash 5 | 03/18/2025 | 11-15-16-18-33 | $120,000 |
| Pick 3 | 03/18/2025 (Midday) | 9-8-5 | $500 |
| 03/18/2025 (Evening) | 4-9-1 | ||
| Pick 4 | 03/18/2025 (Midday) | 6-7-6-5 | $5.000 |
| 03/18/2025 (Evening) | 0-3-1-1 | ||
| Pick 5 | 03/18/2025 (Midday) | 3-3-8-2-0 | $50.000 |
| 03/18/2025 (Evening) | 8-9-0-8-6 |
*Abbreviations: MB: Mega Ball, PB: Powerball, LB: Lucky Ball.
Claim a Winning Ohio Lottery Ticket
Did you match the winning numbers in one of the Ohio Lottery games? Then congratulations! Now it’s time to claim your winnings and enjoy your prize. Depending on the game you played and the amount you won, you’ll have different options.
For prizes up to $599, you can easily claim your prize at any authorized Ohio Lottery retailer. You’ll get your cash prize right away. If your prize is up to $25,000, you can cash it in using the mobile cashing feature available through the Lottery’s mobile app or by visiting one of the state’s seven racinos. You can also choose to receive a direct deposit by visiting any Ohio Lottery Regional Office.
For prizes up to $5,000, you can cash them in at Super Retailer locations or at an Ohio Lottery Regional Office. At the Regional Office, you’ll receive your payment in the form of a prepaid debit card.
Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5 and KENO prizes can be claimed on the day of the drawing. Classic Lotto, Mega Millions, Powerball and Rolling Cash 5 prizes, on the other hand, can be claimed from 6am the day after the drawing.
Don’t forget that all tickets have a limited validity period, as determined by the Ohio Lottery Commission. Under current rules, you have up to 180 days from the drawing date to claim your prize. So if you have a winning ticket, be sure to claim your prize in time to avoid missing out on this opportunity.
Where does the lottery money go in Ohio?
The Ohio Lottery doesn’t just offer the excitement of winning prizes; it also plays a vital role in the state’s public education. A significant portion of its revenue goes towards funding educational programs, directly benefiting Ohio’s schools and students. Since its inception in 1974, the Ohio Lottery has provided over $32 billion for these programs. These funds support K-12 education, as well as vocational and special education.
Additionally, the Ohio Lottery is committed to supporting various social responsibility programs. These programs ensure that games are played fairly and responsibly. By contributing to education and promoting responsible gaming, the Ohio Lottery has a positive and lasting impact on the community.
Summing up…
Did you match one of these winning Ohio Lottery numbers? Are you the next big winner in your state? Remember to download Lottonia to get instant updates on drawing results and make sure you don’t miss out on that long-awaited prize.
See you next time, and until then, good luck!