Lucky for Life Ohio Review

Some American lotteries are so good that they cannot be contained in just one state. These types of lotto draws are known as multi-state lotteries and are amongst the most popular draws that take place each week. In this Lucky for Life Ohio Lottery review, we will look at a lottery that crosses state boundaries and has become one of the most popular games in America today.

History

The Lucky for Life lottery originally started in New England in March 2012. After its initial launch, the lottery has gone through numerous changes to the way that it is run. Almost all of these changes have simply been the addition of new states in which it can be played. The most recent revision that the game has undergone was in January 2015. This revision gave us Lucky for Life Ohio as it is today.

How to Play Lucky for Life Ohio

This lottery game uses a popular—and straightforward—double-matrix format. What this means to players is that they will need to choose two different sets of numbers. The first set will contain five numbers and needs to be selected from a number pool ranging from 1 to 48. After this, a single number will need to be chosen from the range of 1 to 18. This final number is known as the Lucky Ball, which functions similarly to the Powerball we all know and love.

After all the numbers have been chosen, the only thing needing to be done is to purchase a ticket at any retailer. After that, it is merely a waiting game to see if the numbers are winners.

Odds of Winning

The odds of winning are nothing terrible, but they are nothing great either. In fact, they lean more towards the point where they are just bad enough to lead us to complain—yet not bad enough to discourage us from playing. All this is because the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 30,821,472.

This number is substantially larger than several other lotteries—such as the Canada Lotto 6/49 (1 in 13,983,816) or the Polish Mini Lotto (1 in 850,668). 

Lucky for Life Ohio Payout Chart

While the eight lower-paying tiers on the above pay table may look like the usual lottery winnings that people have come to expect, the jackpot and second prize are something exceptional. Winning the jackpot will result in receiving $1,000 every single day for life—that’s right, for the rest of the winner’s life! Second place is also nothing to moan about, as it results in the winner receiving $25,000 per year for the rest of their life.

And—before we forget to mention it—the best part is that tickets for this great lottery cost only $2 each.

Drawing Time

Draws are held every Monday and Thursday at 10:35 PM (EST). Results of the draw are posted on the official lottery website shortly after the draw.

Biggest Jackpots

It is slightly impossible to answer what the largest jackpot ever paid out by the lottery is. This is simply because the lottery jackpot pays out as long as a person lives from the time that they have won. This means that there are winners out there that are still receiving their $1,000 per day—despite having won years ago. And so, each day the jackpot amount that they have won is increasing.

Payout Options

The lottery offers different payout options for winners. Winners of the jackpot can choose to receive $1,000 per day (paid weekly at $7,000 or annually at $365,000) for the rest of their time on earth. Alternatively, they can opt for a cash lump sum of $5.75 million.

Second-prize winners can choose to receive $25,000 per year for the rest of their life or take a lump sum cash payment of $390,000.

Taxes

Unfortunately, all lottery winnings are taxable in Ohio if they are above the $5,000 benchmark. Because lottery winnings for Lucky for Life can only be paid out weekly (at $7,000), annually (at $365,000), or outright (at $5.75 million), all jackpot (and second prize) winnings are taxable. Taxes withheld include 4% state tax and an additional 25% federal tax. This equates to 29% in tax that will need to pay every time a payment is received (if the winner has not opted for a cash lump sum).

How to Play Lucky for Life Ohio Online

Sadly, while there are plans for the Ohio Lottery to move some of its most popular lotteries online, Lucky for Life is not yet available on any online lottery websites. This is slightly disappointing considering what a great and refreshing concept this game brings to modern lotteries.

Lucky for Life Ohio Lottery – Is It Worth Playing?

Lucky for Life changes the way things are traditionally done by giving winners prizes for the rest of their lives—something that we don’t think anyone would ever complain about. The fact that it does this for only $2 per ticket makes it even better. That being said, the odds of winning are tough, the taxes are steep, and considering that you have to purchase your ticket in person, this is a lottery that is pretty good overall but not among our favourites.

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