It's always exciting when someone scores a huge Mega Millions jackpot, or wins the Powerball.
But hundreds of Floridians have quietly become millionaires and almost-millionaires by playing scratch-off games. The one with million-dollar payouts will cost you more than your Mega Millions ticket, but they could be worth it and the odds are significantly better.
(Please note that the odds are still strongly against you winning anything, ever. Always remember that, and never spend money on lottery tickets you can't afford to lose).
Here's what to know about scratch-off games from the Florida Lottery.
Playing the odds:How can you increase your chances of winning Mega Millions, Powerball or Florida Lotto?
How many scratch-off games are there from the Florida Lottery?
As of Sept. 19, there are 89 active scratch-off games in the Florida Lottery.
Six other games — $25,000 A Year For Life, Fire and Dice, Seven Figures, Diamond Mine 20X, Florida 20X the Cash and $20 Monopoly Doubler — ended Aug. 9, but winning tickets bought before then may still be claimed.
How many scratch-off games from the Florida Lottery have jackpots of $1 million or more?
There are currently 28 scratch-off games with jackpots of $1 million or more from the Florida Lottery. Three more just ended last month, and the agency adds more games throughout the year.
The following games have bigger jackpots:
- $2 million:
- $10 Gold Rush Doubler ($10)
- $100X the Cash ($10)
- $2,000,000 100X Cashword ($10)
- $2,000,000 Triple Match ($10)
- Monopoly Secret Vault ($10)
- Payday Bonus ($10)
- Triple 777 ($10)
- Triple Jackpot ($10)
- $5 million:
- $5MM Crossword Cash ($20)
- $5,000,000 Triple Match ($20)
- Gold Rush Limited ($20)
- Monopoly Secret Vault ($20)
- $10 million:
- Gold Rush Legacy ($20)
- $15 million:
- Florida 300X the Cash ($30)
- $25 Million:
- 500X the Cash ($50)
What's the biggest Florida Lottery scratch-off game jackpot?
The biggest potential jackpot available from a Florida Lottery scratch-off game is $1 Million A Year for Life Spectacular ($50), assuming you take the lifetime option. The only person who has won so far was Marquis Anderson of Fort Lauderdale, who took the lump sum option of $16,000,000. That leaves one top prize left.
The odds of winning $1 million a year for life in this game are 1 in 21,727,995.
Which scratch-off games have the best odds?
Depends on what you're hoping for.
The game with the best odds of winning something, even just a free ticket, is Gold Rush Limited with a 1 in 2.65 chance. Most scratch-off games have overall odds ranging from 1.3-something to 1.4-something and higher. However, each game has different odds to win different amounts and some can vary wildly.
Gold Rush Limited also has better-than-average odds of winning a million dollars, 1 in 756,000, and 89 people have done it so far. The odds of winning the top prize of $5 million aren't as good, 1-in-2,362,500.
The best odds to win a million dollars in any Florida Lottery game? $1,000,000 A Year For Life Spectacular.
The odds for the top prize are staggering (see above), but the odds of scoring a cool million are 1 in 185,709, well below any other game (yet still very unlikely). Since March 2023,144 people have won $1 millionin this game.
Which Florida Lottery game has the worst odds of winning anything?
There's just a one in 5.02 chance of winning anything in Double Cash, the worst overall odds of any Florida Lottery scratch-off game.
Can you scan Florida scratch-off tickets? Does the Florida Lottery have an app?
Yes! Just use the Florida Lottery app (iOS | Android), tap on "Check My Ticket" in the bottom menu and then SCAN BARCODE. Center the ticket's UPC in your camera to find out if you're a winner.
How do you cash scratch-off tickets in Florida?
- Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
- Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
- Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.
You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.
How to play responsibly
Lottery games are games of chance played for fun, but some people may have problems with these sorts of games. According to the Florida Lottery:
- Don't think of the lottery as a way to make money
- Only play with money you can afford to lose (the odds are very, very good that you will)
- Set a dollar limit and stick to it
- Know the odds before you play
- Never chase your losses
- Never borrow money to play the lottery
- Don't play when you're upset or depressed
- Know when to ask for help: The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, National Problem Gambling Helpline, Gamblers Anonymous
