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- Every July 17
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National Lottery Day arrives every July 17, inviting everyone to try their luck with a ticket. It’s a chance to dream big, whether you’re buying a scratch-off, picking Powerball numbers, or joining an office pool. Grab a ticket, cross your fingers, and imagine what you’d do with a life-changing win!
Want to sponsor National Lottery Day? Learn how
Expected National Lottery Day Deals
While specific National Lottery Day 2027 promotions are still under wraps, past observances suggest various opportunities for players. State lotteries, such as the California Lottery and Texas Lottery, often run special drawings, bonus scratch-off games, or increased prize payouts. Retailers like 7-Eleven and Circle K may offer discounts on tickets or bundle deals. Online lottery services like Jackpocket could feature app-exclusive promotions or free credits for new users. Additionally, major multi-state games like Mega Millions and Powerball might highlight their jackpots with special advertising campaigns. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July 17 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Lottery Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalLotteryDay. Share a photo of your lottery ticket (without revealing numbers!) or a fun ‘what I’d do if I won’t’ scenario.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalLotteryDay. Film a short video showing your lottery scratch-off reveal or a creative skit about winning the jackpot.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalLotteryDay. Ask your community what their dream purchase would be if they won big.
National Lottery Day Hero
Various State Lottery Founders
History of National Lottery Day
The concept of the ‘lottery’ has been around since ancient times. The practice became mainstream in the late 15th century in Europe. Drawing lots to nominate a winner swept across Europe to the United States in 1612, when a lottery was established by King James I to fund the first permanent British settlement in Virginia, North America. From then on, lotteries were used by private and public bodies to raise money for wars, towns, colleges, and community projects.
In early American history of the lottery, George Washington hosted one in the 1760s to finance the building of the Mountain Road in Virginia. John Hancock ran a lottery to rebuild Faneuil Hall in Boston in 1765 and the cannons used during the American Revolution from 1775 to 1783 were paid for by the support of lotteries. Lotteries just seemed too good to be true, as concerns rose regarding their harmful impact on the public. A constitutional prohibition was issued against lotteries, with New York being the first state where it was implemented.
After the Civil War ended, reconstruction in the Southern states was dependent on lotteries. The Louisiana lottery especially became popular. It was abolished in 1894 after Congress banned the transport of lottery materials across state lines. Soon after, the public discovered that the lottery was being run by a crime syndicate that committed fraud and bribed legislators. It was a massive scandal that was widely publicized. Lotteries gained a bad reputation and were completely outlawed by the end of the 19th century.
The negativity surrounding gambling started softening at the turn of the 20th century. Gambling was legalized in casinos in the state of Nevada in the 1930s and gambling for charity also became common.
National Lottery Day timeline
The colonies hold nearly 400 lotteries in the mid-18th century — a Philadelphia newspaper ad promises a "new brick house" for one lucky lottery winner and tickets sell for 20 shillings each.
Although Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands held lotteries back in the 1930s, New Hampshire becomes the first U.S. state to do so — schools there see immediate benefits from sales of sweepstakes tickets.
Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont are the first states to combine resources in order to create bigger jackpots — their flagship game, 'Tri-State Megabucks,' continues today.
The Powerball jackpot on January 13 is an incredible $1.586 billion — three lucky winners each take home just over $500 million each.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Lottery Day
Local businesses can tap into National Lottery Day by creating a ‘lucky draw’ for customers, offering small prizes or discounts. Convenience stores and gas stations, key points of sale for tickets, can run special promotions on lottery purchases or create themed displays. Restaurants might offer a ‘lucky number’ discount if a customer’s receipt number matches a certain digit. The key is to embrace the fun and hopeful spirit of the day.
Traditions
Buy a lottery ticket! Try your luck, maybe National Lottery Day will increase your odds of winning. Those who have never brought a lottery ticket usually purchase their first one today, just for fun. Special promotions by local- and state lotteries are offered so watch out for them. Interviews with former lottery winners are published on social media, and a general buzz surrounds lotteries on this day.
By the Numbers
$70.1 billion – the amount Americans spent on lottery tickets in 2014.
1994 – the year the first lottery was launched.
85% – the percentage of winners who choose to remain anonymous.
350 billion to one – the odds of winning the lottery.
38 – the most-drawn Lotto ball.
18 – the number of movies funded by the lottery, including “The King’s Speech.”
99% – the percentage of surveyed winners who still play National Lottery games after winning
70% – the percentage of winners who are convinced that they will win again.
4.5 – the average number of cars winners purchase after becoming millionaires.
52% – the percentage of winners who quit their jobs after winning $1 million or more.
National Lottery Day FAQs
When is National Lottery Day?
National Lottery Day 2026 falls on Friday, July 17. It’s a fantastic mid-summer opportunity to try your luck and perhaps win big.
How much money do Americans spend on the lottery?
In recent years, Americans have spent approximately $100 billion annually on lottery tickets. This substantial figure highlights the widespread appeal and hope associated with playing the lottery.
What are the odds of winning the lottery?
The odds of winning a major multi-state jackpot, like Powerball or Mega Millions, are typically around 1 in 300 million. While these odds are long, smaller prizes are far more common.
What is the history of lotteries in the U.S.?
Lotteries have a long history in the U.S., dating back to colonial times when they funded public works like roads and universities. The modern state-run lottery system began with New Hampshire in 1964.
National Lottery Day Activities
Go play
You have to be in it to win it. Treat yourself to a few tickets and see what happens. You never know, today might be your lucky day.
Pool your money
If you're still paying money to play the traditional way, make it a team effort among friends. Just make sure you all understand how the seven-way split works before you hit the jackpot.
Buy a ticket for a loved one
Share the fun of playing with someone else and buy them a ticket too. If theirs is the winning ticket then we're sure that your generosity will be remembered.
Dream On: The 5 Biggest U.S. Lottery Jackpots Ever
$1.59 billion (2016)
A total of three winning tickets split the largest-ever jackpot — making each one worth more than $500 million. Winners lived in California, Florida, and Tennessee. The California winners assigned most of the proceeds to charity.
$1.54 billion (2018)
A South Carolina woman waited nearly four months to claim the prize. She took a one-time lump-sum payment of nearly $878 million — and remained anonymous.
$768 million (2019)
Winner Manuel Franco purchased his Powerball ticket at a Wisconsin gas station. His reaction? "I was going insane," Franco said. "My heart started racing. I screamed for about 5 or 10 minutes." He chose the lump-sum payment of $477 million. Franco is just 24 years old.
$759 million (2017)
Mavis Wanczyk bought the lucky ticket in Chicopee, Massachusetts. She won about $336 million. Wanczyk immediately quit her hospital job (patient care) after working for 32 years.
$688 million (2018)
The drawing produced two winning tickets. A New York City man named Robert Bailey claimed half — vowing afterwards to remain a lottery player. The other half went to Lerynne West of Redfield, Iowa (total population: 830). West had misplaced her ticket, but eventually discovered it on the floor of her sister's truck.
Why We Love National Lottery Day
The ultimate fantasy
Go ahead. Ask someone the standard "If you had three wishes..." question, and see how many times you hear the word "lottery." It's human nature after all. Pick a few numbers. Win a million (or 100 million) dollars. That's a tough wish to top.
A chance to change the world
Or at least a few lives. You can really start helping people (and worthy causes) once you win the big dollars. You wouldn't keep all your lottery winnings for yourself — now would you?
Priorities
Just considering a mega jackpot might force you to start assessing what you really want out of life. Maybe it's not actually a new car or tickets to join a future mission to Mars. What if your dream's easier to reach than you think?
Social Media Tips for National Lottery Day
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