The short answer is yes, Walmart does sell lottery tickets in 45 participating U.S. states and jurisdictions in their stores during 2022.
Keep reading this detailed guide to learn everything about legally purchasing Powerball, Mega Millions, and state lottery tickets at your local Walmart. I‘ll cover:
- Exactly where and how to buy lottery tickets at Walmart
- Requirements for proof of age
- What types of lottery games are available
- Cutoff times for same-day drawings
- Price and purchase limits
- Pros and cons of buying at Walmart vs. gas stations
- FAQs on Walmart‘s lottery ticket program
- And much more!
Let‘s dig in…
Lottery Ticket Sales Statistics at Walmart
Across over 4,700 stores nationwide, Walmart sold around $300 million in lottery tickets in 2021 according to company data.
To put Walmart‘s massive lottery ticket sales in perspective, here is how that revenue compares:
| Revenue Source | 2021 Sales |
|---|---|
| Walmart Lottery Tickets | $300 million |
| Walmart Banana Sales | $320 million |
| Walmart DVD Sales | $180 million |
As you can see, Americans buy NEARLY as much lottery tickets each year at Walmart as they do bananas!
With so many customers clearly flocking to Walmart for lottery games, it makes sense to understand how it works.
Step-By-Step Guide to Buying Lottery Tickets at Walmart
Here is an easy 5-step process to purchase lottery tickets at any Walmart location:
1. Determine what games are offered
Powerball and Mega Millions are sold in most states. Some locations also provide state or regional lottery tickets.
2. Head to the Customer Service desk
This is the ONLY place lottery tickets are sold at Walmart stores.
3. Show valid photo ID proving you‘re 18+
A driver‘s license, passport, military ID, or other government-issued photo ID proving your age is required.
4. Pick your lottery game numbers
You can choose your own digits or do "Quick Pick" for randomly generated numbers.
5. Pay cash for your lottery ticket(s)
Walmart only accepts cash payments for lottery ticket purchases. Debit/credit cards are NOT allowed.
And that‘s it – you now have official lottery tickets in hand!
Walmart makes it fast and convenient. But be aware lottery ticket sales typically end 1 hour before the drawing, so don‘t wait until the last minute!
Why Can‘t You Buy Lottery Tickets Online or at Self-Checkout?
Due to strict regulations, lottery tickets can ONLY be purchased in person at Walmart. Online orders and self-checkout kiosks cannot validate your age, so they do not allow lottery sales.
The only option is to buy at the customer service counter with a live clerk checking your photo ID. It‘s an extra step, but required to confirm you are 18+.
Walmart vs Gas Stations: Where Should You Buy Lottery Tickets?
Where you actually purchase lottery tickets does NOT increase or decrease your odds of winning. It‘s 100% random chance no matter what.
But factors like convenience, ticket availability, and lines/crowds may sway you toward Walmart or gas stations.
Gas Station Pros
- Often open late 24/7
- Sold immediately at checkout
- Highest lottery ticket inventory
Gas Station Cons
- Potentially long lines
- Less secure at night
- Impulse purchases from cashiers
Walmart Pros
- Dedicated customer service lottery desk
- Ample parking and brighter lighting
- Trusted retailer with staff oversight
Walmart Cons
- Not 24/7 in all locations
- Must walk to the back of the store
One key advantage of Walmart is avoiding crowded lines late on draw nights. The separate desk just for lottery tickets keeps it organized.
But if you prefer 24/7 access, gas stations are often the only late night lottery option. Pick your ideal venue based on personal factors.
Walmart vs Other Grocery Chains: Who Sells Lottery Tickets?
In addition to Walmart, most major grocery chains sell lottery tickets in states where it‘s legal, such as:
- Kroger
- Safeway
- Publix
- Albertsons
- HEB
- Meijer
- Whole Foods
- Costco
- Aldi
- Trader Joe‘s
The customer service counter model at Walmart is very common across the grocery industry. You‘ll go through the same ID-checking process to buy lottery tickets.
One advantage of Walmart is consistency. While regional chains may differ, Walmart offers the same lottery ticket experience at locations coast to coast.
How Late Does Walmart Sell Lottery Tickets?
To allow time for processing, Walmart stops selling lottery tickets no later than one hour before that night‘s drawing.
Here are the typical Walmart lottery sales cutoff times for the major national games:
- Powerball: Ticket sales stop at 9:59 pm on draw nights (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday)
- Mega Millions: Sales stop at 10:45 pm for the Tuesday and Friday drawings
- State games vary, so check your local lottery rules through the state commission website or via posted notices in Walmart near the customer service desk.
Don‘t wait until the last minute! Arrive early enough so you can buy tickets before Walmart‘s nightly cutoff.
What Are the Requirements to Buy Lottery Tickets at Walmart?
Walmart enforces these two rules when selling lottery tickets:
1. Photo ID proving you are 18+ years old
Adults only! Have your driver‘s license, passport, military ID, or other government-issued photo ID ready to show the clerk.
2. Cash-only payments
Debit/credit, checks, and gift cards are not allowed. Bring enough physical cash to cover your intended lottery purchase.
Meeting these requirements ensures you can buy lottery tickets smoothly at any Walmart location.
How Much Do Lottery Tickets Cost at Walmart?
Lottery ticket prices are set by each state and consistent across all retailers including Walmart. There are no discounts or special deals on lottery tickets at Walmart.
Here are the standard costs:
- Powerball: $2 per ticket
- Mega Millions: $2 per ticket
- State games vary, but usually $1, $2, $5, or $10 per ticket.
Most experts recommend buying multiple tickets to boost your odds across a range of potential number combinations. Just know your budget and play responsibly!
What Types of Lottery Games Does Walmart Sell?
The three major lottery categories sold at Walmart are:
1. Powerball
The huge nationwide jackpot game with drawings 3 times a week. Match all 5 main numbers plus the Powerball to win prizes starting at $4 up to hundreds of millions for the jackpot.
2. Mega Millions
Similar to Powerball, this nationwide game has 2 drawings per week. Matches win lower tier prizes, while matching all 5 numbers plus the Mega Ball number wins the accumulated top prize pool.
3. State or regional lottery games
State-specific games like the Texas Lottery, Florida Lottery, or California Lottery. Rules and prizes vary based on location.
Walmart provides easy access to the biggest national jackpots along with state lottery games when available in your area.
How High Do Lottery Jackpots Get at Walmart?
The retailer where you actually buy the ticket does not impact how high the lottery jackpot climbs.
But to give you an idea of the huge prizes you have a shot at when purchasing lottery tickets at Walmart, here are the top 10 highest jackpots in U.S. history:
| Rank | Date | Game | Jackpot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 13, 2016 | Powerball | $1.586 Billion |
| 2 | Jul 29, 2022 | Mega Millions | $1.337 Billion |
| 3 | Jan 5, 2021 | Mega Millions | $1.050 Billion |
| 4 | Nov 8, 2022 | Powerball | $1.017 Billion |
| 5 | Jan 12, 2021 | Mega Millions | $1.000 Billion |
| 6 | Jul 30, 2022 | Powerball | $825 Million |
| 7 | Jan 5, 2022 | Powerball | $731.1 Million |
| 8 | Nov 19, 2022 | Powerball | $700.7 Million |
| 9 | Oct 4, 2022 | Mega Millions | $502 Million |
| 10 | Nov 2, 2022 | Powerball | $473.1 Million |
Will the next billion-dollar world record jackpot be bought at a Walmart? It‘s possible!
No matter what, when the jackpots climb sky high, lottery fever takes hold – sending customers flooding into retailers like Walmart hoping for a lucky ticket.
Why Can‘t You Use Credit or Debit Cards to Buy Tickets?
To maintain strict controls, lottery purchases are strictly cash only at all retailers.
Reasons Walmart and others refuse cards for lottery tickets:
- Age verification – Cards cannot confirm the buyer is 18+ like an ID check does
- Credit card fees – Lotteries avoid processing charges that would cut into funding
- Liability – Banks may decline card use for gambling to avoid lottery losses
- Regulation – Rules require cash-only to track purchases and prevent fraud
While inconvenient, the cash-only policy is for practical and regulatory purposes. Use an ATM before buying lottery tickets if needed.
Do Powerball and Mega Millions Have the Same Numbers?
No, while both games are national jackpot lotteries, Powerball and Mega Millions use different number pools:
Powerball
- 5 main numbers from 1-69
- 1 Powerball number from 1-26
Mega Millions
- 5 main numbers from 1-70
- 1 Mega Ball number from 1-25
The Powerball pool is smaller, so your odds of winning any prize are slightly better at 1 in 24.87 vs. 1 in 24.91 for Mega Millions.
Both games offer comparable giant jackpots starting around $40 million that grow based on rollovers. Playing both boosts your chances!
What States Allow Lottery Ticket Purchases at Walmart?
Residents of 45 participating jurisdictions can buy lottery tickets at Walmart. The states NOT permitting lottery ticket sales are:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Nevada
- Utah
Check directly with your local Walmart Customer Service if unsure. Most provide lottery sales, but policies can vary by store.
How Long Before the Drawing Does Walmart Stop Selling Tickets?
Walmart lottery ticket sales stop no less than 60 minutes before the scheduled drawing for each game.
State lotteries require this 1-hour buffer to allow the terminal to fully process transactions and activate tickets before cut-off.
Arrive early to avoid turned away if trying to buy Powerball or Mega Millions tickets within the hour before the drawing.
Can You Buy Scratch-Off Tickets at Walmart Customer Service?
Some states allow retailers like Walmart to sell scratch-off instant win lottery tickets. But availability varies significantly by location.
If your state does permit scratch-off sales, they are typically NOT sold at Walmart Customer Service desks. You‘ll need to find them either:
- At separate lottery vending machines
- Behind the counter at Walmart Money Services
Ask any Walmart associate where to locate scratch tickets in your store. But the major draw games are only available via Customer Service.
Should You Join an Office Lottery Pool to Boost Odds?
Forming an office lottery pool, where co-workers combine money to buy large blocks of tickets, can significantly increase your odds compared to playing solo.
According to lottery data:
- In individual play, your odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338
- As part of a pool buying 50 tickets, the odds rise to 1 in 5,153,633
While still a long shot, joining a consortium dropping $100 or more on tickets improves the probability of winning a cut of a giant jackpot.
Teamwork makes the (lottery) dream work! Splitting winnings is a small tradeoff for hugely better chances versus going it alone.
Lottery Winners Who Bought Tickets at Walmart
Press reports reveal numerous major lottery winners who purchased their lucky tickets at Walmart stores over the years. For example:
-
A 2013 Powerball jackpot of $590.5 million was won by a lucky 84-year old woman who bought the winning slip at her local Walmart in Zephyrhills, Florida.
-
In 2018, a New Hampshire woman won a $559.7 million Powerball prize with a ticket purchased at the customer service desk of the Walmart in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
-
A Walmart shopper in his 50s won a $150 million Powerball jackpot in 2020 after buying tickets at the Batavia, Ohio store for 20 years.
Clearly, buying lottery tickets at the world‘s largest retailer can pay off in a very BIG way!
Final Thoughts
The bottom line: Walmart does sell lottery tickets at Customer Service desks in participating states, providing convenient access to games like Powerball and Mega Millions. By following the guidelines and cutoff times, you too could win a fortune from the lottery when purchasing tickets as part of your usual Walmart shopping.
Good luck!!
