They say everything is bigger in Texas, and this is certainly true of the Lone Star State’s official lottery. Over its history, dozens of Texans have won life-changing sums of cash, with the biggest prize ever going to one lucky El Paso resident who hit the $145 million jackpot back in 2004.
If you’re feeling lucky, now might be the time to play the Texas lottery. Luckily, the Texas Lotto is easy to play, and a whole lot of fun. Check out our two-minute explainer to find out exactly how to play the Texas lottery in 2022.
1. Who Can Play the Texas Lottery?
Before you start dreaming of your life as a Texas lotto winner, it is important to confirm that you are definitely eligible to play. First off, you must be at least 18 years of age to legally purchase a lottery ticket in Texas. If you are found to be underage, you will not be entitled to your lottery winnings.
Other than this, there are no limits. You do not need to be a Texas resident or even a US citizen to play the Texas lottery. However, you must purchase the ticket from a Texas retailer.
2. When to Play the Texas Lottery
The Texas Lottery is drawn every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:12 pm, Central Time. Players can buy a ticket up to 10 minutes before the draw, with 10:02 pm being the last possible moment you can buy.
After this, the Commission “closes” the draw and you will only be able to buy a ticket for the next scheduled draw. In addition, all winners must claim their lottery winnings within 180 days of the draw. After this point, your winnings are no longer valid.
3. How to Play the Texas Lottery
Playing the Texas lottery is easy peasy. All you need to do is buy your ticket from a Texas retailer during the current game period. You can buy a physical ticket from any grocery store or gas station in the Lone Star State.
You can also buy your lottery ticket online from a licensed lotto ticket website. You can choose to play 6 numbers between 1-54, and you can add an “Extra” for $1. Alternatively, you can use the Quick Draw option to have your numbers randomly chosen for you.
4. Check Your Numbers
Once the numbers have been drawn, you can check to see if you have won. For the latest numbers and payouts, make sure to consult this lotto payout table, which tells you exactly how many people have managed to win money on the most recent draw.
5. What To Do If Your Numbers Come Up
If your numbers have come up, your life might be about to change. Once you have confirmed that you have won, it’s time to get your money. Prizes under $600 can be picked up from any Texas lotto retailer.
Prizes up to $1.2 million can be collected from your nearest lotto Claims Center. Anything over this amount requires you to call the Texas Lottery Commission to arrange how you want to receive your prize.
However, unlike other states lotteries, the Texas lotto requires you to choose whether you prefer a lump sum payout or an annual sum before you buy your ticket.
You Don’t Need to Win the Lottery to Have Healthy Personal Finances
While winning the Texas lottery is one effective way to ensure healthy personal finances, it’s not the only option. No matter what your financial situation is, a little bit of planning can get your bank account into good shape.
For this, make sure to read our daily-updated personal finance section, which offers easy-to-understand advice on building a solid financial future.
