North Carolina Lottery
The North Carolina Education Lottery has operated since March 2006 and is regulated by the NC State Lottery Commission; the same agency that regulates the state's sports betting operators. The lottery offers Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky for Life, NC Cash 5, Pick 3, Pick 4, and a wide range of scratch-off instant games.
NC Lottery Games
Multi-State Draw Games
- Powerball; Drawings Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM ET. Jackpots start at $20M. $2 per play.
- Mega Millions; Drawings Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM ET. Jackpots start at $20M. $2 per play.
- Lucky for Life; Daily drawings. Top prize: $1,000/day for life. $2 per play.
NC-Only Draw Games
- NC Cash 5; Daily drawings. Jackpots start at $100,000.
- Pick 3; Twice-daily drawings (Day and Night).
- Pick 4; Twice-daily drawings.
- Carolina Keno; Drawings every 4 minutes at retail locations.
Scratch-Off Instant Games
The NC Lottery offers dozens of scratch-off games at price points from $1 to $30 with prizes up to $4 million. Games rotate regularly; check nclottery.com for current offerings.
Online Play in NC
Selected NC Lottery games are available for online purchase via the official NC Lottery app (iOS and Android) and nclottery.com. Online play requires:
- Be 18 or older
- Be a NC resident with verified address
- Provide last 4 digits of SSN for identity verification
- Be physically located in NC at time of purchase (geolocation enforced)
NC Lottery vs. NC Sports Betting
The NC Lottery and NC sports betting are separate but both regulated by the NC State Lottery Commission. Key differences:
- Age: Lottery requires 18+. Sports betting requires 21+.
- Operators: NC Lottery is operated directly by the state. Sports betting is licensed to 7 commercial operators.
- Games: Lottery offers draw games, instant scratch-offs, and keno. Sports betting offers wagers on professional and college sports.
- Online: Both offer online play with NC residency / location verification.
Where NC Lottery Revenue Goes
NC Lottery revenue funds education programs by state law. Since 2006, the lottery has contributed more than $10 billion to:
- K-12 school construction and operating costs
- Academic prekindergarten programs
- UNC Need Based College Scholarships
- Reduce class size in early grades
- Teacher salary supplements
NC Lottery FAQ
Is the NC Lottery legal?
Yes. The North Carolina Education Lottery has operated since March 2006 under a state law authorizing the lottery to fund education programs. The NC State Lottery Commission regulates both the lottery and the state's licensed sports betting operators.
Can I buy NC Lottery tickets online?
Yes. The NC Lottery sells select games online via the official NC Lottery app and website (nclottery.com) for verified NC residents 18 and older. Online play is available for Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky for Life, NC Cash 5, Pick 3, Pick 4, and select instant games.
What is the NC Lottery age limit?
You must be 18 or older to purchase lottery tickets in NC. (Note: sports betting requires 21+.)
Where does NC Lottery revenue go?
NC Lottery revenue funds education programs including school construction, college scholarships (NC Need Based Scholarship), pre-K programs, and academic support. The NC Lottery has contributed over $10 billion to education since 2006.
Is the NC Lottery the same as sports betting?
No. The NC Lottery and NC sports betting are separate gaming verticals; both regulated by the NC State Lottery Commission. Lottery games (Powerball, scratch-offs, draw games) are not sports wagers. NC sports betting requires a separate account at one of the 7 licensed online sportsbooks (FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, theScore Bet, Fanatics).