Iowa Lottery

Launched in 1985, the Iowa Lottery was part of the second big wave of US lottery program expansion in the mid-1980s and the Iowa Lottery has been a member of the MUSL since the program’s inception.

The Iowa Lottery is a model of financial excellence, with administration costs at just $0.07 per dollar of revenue, which is among the lowest in the country. Though Iowa is a relatively small and rural state, it’s been operating a healthy lottery program for more than 35 years.

Iowa is the 33rd largest US state in terms of population, with about half the population of Missouri and about double the population of West Virginia. Annual lottery ticket sales in Iowa average about $370 million – only about 20% of Missouri’s sales, and only about 1/3 of lottery ticket sales in West Virginia. In fact, several state lottery programs with smaller player pools report much higher sales figures than the Iowa Lottery.

Solid per capita lottery spending is what keeps the IA lottery afloat (and affordable) – Iowans spend an average of $145.83 on lottery games each year against average winnings of $89.27.

Since sales began in the summer of 1985, more than $2 billion in revenue has made its way to four major state programs: the Veterans Trust Fund, funds for public safety officers and their families, the Vision Iowa tourism promotional program, and the state’s General Fund. That’s a huge figure for a relatively small state lottery. The fact that Iowa Lottery has handed out more than $4.5 billion in prizes along the way (more than double state revenue allotments) is an indication of a healthy lottery program.

Iowa Online Lottery

There are no safe and legal ways to buy Iowa Lottery tickets online today.

The Iowa Lottery does not offer online ticket sales, and it has rejected several lottery couriers’ requests to operate within Iowa. The prospects of Iowa offering online ticket sales appear dim over the short term. In fact, Iowa seems likelier to introduce legislation prohibiting lottery courier apps like Jackpocket than to authorize online ticket sales.

In April 2024, officials with the Iowa Department of Revenue asked lawmakers to pass legislation formally prohibiting lottery couriers from operating in Iowa.

Around that time, a lobbyist for the Jackpocket app confirmed to local media that the company has no plans to sponsor legislation authorizing lottery couriers in Iowa. Jackpocket had previously sought the Iowa Lottery’s approval to purchase tickets on behalf of customers, but the lottery denied the request.

“We had no plans to bring legislation this year to try to advance the ball or improve our position relative to that denial,” a Jackpocket lobbyist said. “And we’re hoping to have a more fulsome conversation with policymakers about the service we provide.”

Iowa Lottery Games

Iowa Lottery runs two in-state draw games (Pick 3 and Pick 4) and takes part in four multi-state draw games. In addition, Iowa offers InstaPlay tickets, scratchers, and pull-tab games.

Here’s the complete list of games currently available from the Iowa Lottery:

  • Mega Jackpot Draw Games: Powerball, Mega Millions, Lotto America, and Lucky for Life
  • Daily Drawings: Pick 3 and Pick 4
  • InstaPlay: Buy lottery tickets and see the printed results immediately, a.k.a. “scratchless scratch tickets”
  • Scratch Cards: Nearly 70 scratch-off tickets available at denominations from $1 to $50
  • Pull-Tabs: Pull the tabs to reveal the symbols beneath; sold at IA Lottery terminals

How to Claim Iowa Lottery Prizes

Prizes up to $600

  • Redeem winning draw tickets, InstaPlay, and scratch tickets at any retail location if it has sufficient funds on hand
  • Players must redeem pull-tabs at the same location where they were purchased

Prizes up to $250,000

  • In person at any Iowa Lottery office in Clive, Storm Lake, Mason City, or Cedar Rapids
  • By mail (see directions below)

Prizes of more than $250,000

  • In person at the Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive (near Des Moines)

Claim a prize by mail:

  • Sign the winning ticket and fill out the information on the back
  • Print and complete a Winner Claim Form and Form W-9
  • Make a photo copy of your ID
  • Send all of the above to the following address

Iowa Lottery
13001 University Ave
Clive IA 50325-8225

Note: Players should also make a photo copy of the winning ticket (front and back) and send the claim via registered mail.

Contact the Iowa State Lottery

Iowa Lottery uses a contact form as its frontline means of communicating with customers. Questions sent in on the contact form are answered between 8 AM and 4 PM Monday through Friday.

Players can also contact the Iowa Lottery’s four offices via phone from 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday:

  • Iowa Lottery HQ: 515-725-7900
  • Cedar Rapids Regional Office: 319-395-9313
  • Mason City Regional Office: 641-424-6011
  • Storm Lake Regional Office: 712-732-6662

Players may also call the Iowa Lottery winning numbers hotline at 515-323-4633 for the latest drawing results.

Iowa Lottery FAQ

Players must be 21 or older to buy Iowa Lottery tickets. However, minors may play Iowa Lottery games and claim prizes if accompanied by adults.

No. The Iowa Lottery prohibits online ticket sales, including ticket sales via third-party courier apps like Jackpocket and Lotto.com.

  • Scratch cards and pull tabs: 90 days from the game’s official end date
  • Pick 3 and Pick 4: 90 days from the drawing date
  • InstaPlay games: 90 days from the date of purchase
  • Multi-state draw games: 180 days from the drawing date