Annual Lottery Spending Tops $110 Billion Nationwide, With Massachusetts Residents Averaging More Than $900 a Year
Americans spent an average of $323 on lottery tickets in 2024, up 4.5% in two years, according to a LendingTree analysis of government data.
Nationally, lottery spending reached $110.4 billion in 2024. Massachusetts residents were the biggest per-capita spenders on lottery tickets by far, spending an average of $904. That was 43.5% more than the average in the next highest state.
However, despite the overall rise in lottery spending, states were far more likely to see per-capita lottery spending decline than increase in 2024.
Here’s what else we found.
- Lottery spending continues to rise nationally, though most states saw per-capita spending fall. In 2024, the most recent year with available data, overall lottery spending rose to $110.4 billion, up from $109.0 billion in 2023 and $103.3 billion in 2022. Americans spent an average of $323 on the lottery, up from $320 in 2023 and $309 in 2022. However, per-capita spending fell in 28 states in 2024, rose in 16 and was unchanged in one — a major shift from 2023.
- Massachusetts once again leads in per-capita lottery spending. Bay State residents spent an average of $904 per person on the lottery in 2024, a slight dip from 2023 but still far more than residents of any other state. Virginia ($630 per resident) and Rhode Island ($567) were distantly second and third. Meanwhile, North Dakota residents spent the least on the lottery ($51).
- North Carolina and Virginia lead four states with double-digit per-capita spending spikes. North Carolina residents’ lottery spending rose 20.3% to $506 in 2024, while their neighbors in Virginia saw spending rise 18.3% to $630. By contrast, no state saw double-digit declines. Wyoming had the biggest decrease at 8.0%.
- The share of lottery spending returned as prizes varies widely by state. In Virginia, 75.9% of money spent on the lottery was returned to players in prizes. Kentucky (71.5%), Missouri (70.4%) and Massachusetts (70.0%) weren’t far behind. By contrast, in South Dakota, that figure was just 19.8%.
Lottery spending continues to rise nationally, despite falling in many states
Americans love playing the lottery. All but five states — Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah — currently have at least one lottery game, and overall spending on these games is rising nationally. In 2024, the most recent year for which data is available, Americans spent $110.4 billion on the lottery. That’s up from $109.0 billion in 2023 and $103.3 billion in 2022.
On a per-capita basis, Americans spent an average of $323 on lottery tickets in 2024, up 0.8% from the previous year and 4.5% from 2022.
U.S. lottery spending at a glance
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total lottery spending | $110,438,380,095 | $108,986,283,400 | $103,273,032,200 |
| Per-capita lottery spending | $323 | $320 | $309 |
At the state level, however, a different picture emerges. Per-capita lottery spending rose in just 16 states in 2024, while it fell in 28 others and was unchanged in one — California. That’s a significant change from 2023, when spending rose in 43 states and fell in just two. We’ll explore that later in the report.
Massachusetts once again leads in per-capita lottery spending
By state, per-capita spending varies widely. In 40 of the 45 states with lotteries, residents spent an average of $100-plus on lottery tickets in 2024. However, in the 14 states with the highest per-capita spending, the average was at least $400. In Massachusetts, the average was over $900.
We estimate that Bay State residents spent an average of $904 in 2024. That’s down from $915 in 2023 but still represents the highest per-capita lottery spending by a wide margin. Virginia ($630 per resident) and Rhode Island ($567) were a distant second and third, while North Carolina ($506) and Georgia ($500) were the only other states with per-capita spending of $500 or more.
At the other end of the rankings, North Dakota residents spent just $51 on lottery tickets in 2024. Per-capita lottery spending was below $100 in just four other states — Wyoming ($69), Montana ($76), New Mexico ($84) and Oklahoma ($85).
There’s a stark geographic divide in the list. The 10 states with the highest per-capita lottery spending are all east of the Mississippi River, while the 10 with the lowest spending are all to the west.
Per-capita lottery spending by state, 2024
| Rank | State | Total lottery spending | Per-capita spending |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $6,463,780,330 | $904 |
| 2 | Virginia | $5,590,364,820 | $630 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $631,508,230 | $567 |
| 4 | North Carolina | $5,671,173,600 | $506 |
| 5 | Georgia | $5,656,960,640 | $500 |
| 6 | New York | $9,445,872,870 | $472 |
| 7 | Kentucky | $2,121,084,885 | $460 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $1,698,109,010 | $460 |
| 9 | Michigan | $4,557,305,655 | $450 |
| 10 | West Virginia | $759,812,055 | $430 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $598,841,210 | $423 |
| 11 | Maryland | $2,649,923,680 | $423 |
| 13 | South Carolina | $2,338,519,330 | $420 |
| 14 | Delaware | $423,621,535 | $400 |
| 15 | Florida | $9,332,427,665 | $398 |
| 16 | New Jersey | $3,606,212,605 | $378 |
| 17 | Ohio | $4,471,292,560 | $376 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $4,679,007,290 | $358 |
| 19 | Oregon | $1,418,124,670 | $332 |
| 20 | Illinois | $4,068,841,710 | $320 |
| 21 | Maine | $424,405,400 | $300 |
| 22 | Vermont | $188,703,630 | $293 |
| 23 | Texas | $8,851,216,845 | $279 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $260,894,115 | $279 |
| 25 | Missouri | $1,731,019,735 | $276 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $1,964,280,235 | $269 |
| 27 | California | $9,785,245,270 | $249 |
| 28 | Indiana | $1,715,431,055 | $246 |
| 29 | Arizona | $1,721,847,565 | $226 |
| 30 | Idaho | $409,604,805 | $202 |
| 31 | Arkansas | $610,228,880 | $196 |
| 32 | Mississippi | $544,391,605 | $184 |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $955,661,200 | $160 |
| 34 | Louisiana | $712,457,325 | $154 |
| 35 | Iowa | $483,148,855 | $149 |
| 36 | Colorado | $879,438,505 | $146 |
| 37 | Minnesota | $764,619,690 | $131 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $248,369,155 | $123 |
| 38 | Washington | $980,753,320 | $123 |
| 40 | Kansas | $325,316,635 | $109 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $350,682,000 | $85 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $179,600,035 | $84 |
| 43 | Montana | $87,421,520 | $76 |
| 44 | Wyoming | $40,469,800 | $69 |
| 45 | North Dakota | $40,388,565 | $51 |
North Carolina and Virginia saw the largest spikes in per-capita lottery spending
Sixteen states saw per-capita lottery spending rise in 2024, including four that had double-digit percentage growth. North Carolina led the way, with residents’ lottery spending rising 20.3% from $421 in 2023 to $506 in 2024. That increase propelled North Carolina to the fourth-highest per-capita lottery spending in 2024, up from 12th in 2023.
One likely reason for that sharp growth in the Tar Heel State was the introduction of digital instant-lottery games in November 2023. The instant-win games, played on the lottery’s website or via the official NC Lottery mobile app, generated more than $1.3 billion in sales in fiscal year 2024, which ran from July 2023 through June 2024.
North Carolina’s neighbors in Virginia weren’t far behind, with spending climbing 18.3% from $532 to $630. Arizona (13.2% growth) and Kentucky (13.1%) also saw growth of 10.0% or more, while New Hampshire followed at 9.3%, and two other states saw growth of 6.2% or more.
By contrast, lottery spending fell in 28 states in 2024, a dozen more than saw increases. The largest decreases were in Wyoming (8.0%) and Oklahoma (7.9%). Four other states saw declines of at least 5.0%.
Although far more states saw per-capita spending decreases, per-capita spending nationally rose slightly. That’s likely because increases in the states where spending rose were generally larger than declines in the states where spending fell, allowing growth in a smaller number of states to offset declines elsewhere.
Per-capita lottery spending changes, by state
| Rank | State | Per-capita spending, 2024 | Per-capita spending, 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina | $506 | $421 | 20.3% |
| 2 | Virginia | $630 | $532 | 18.3% |
| 3 | Arizona | $226 | $199 | 13.2% |
| 4 | Kentucky | $460 | $407 | 13.1% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $423 | $387 | 9.3% |
| 6 | Vermont | $293 | $274 | 6.7% |
| 7 | Illinois | $320 | $301 | 6.2% |
| 8 | Maine | $300 | $289 | 3.8% |
| 9 | Oregon | $332 | $326 | 1.9% |
| 9 | Mississippi | $184 | $181 | 1.9% |
| 11 | Iowa | $149 | $148 | 1.1% |
| 12 | Ohio | $376 | $372 | 1.0% |
| 13 | Washington | $123 | $121 | 0.9% |
| 14 | New Mexico | $84 | $84 | 0.8% |
| 15 | North Dakota | $51 | $50 | 0.7% |
| 16 | Montana | $76 | $76 | 0.4% |
| 17 | California | $249 | $249 | 0.0% |
| 18 | Arkansas | $196 | $197 | -0.6% |
| 19 | Colorado | $146 | $147 | -0.7% |
| 20 | South Dakota | $279 | $282 | -1.0% |
| 20 | Kansas | $109 | $110 | -1.0% |
| 22 | Nebraska | $123 | $124 | -1.1% |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $567 | $573 | -1.2% |
| 23 | Massachusetts | $904 | $915 | -1.2% |
| 25 | Indiana | $246 | $250 | -1.4% |
| 26 | New York | $472 | $481 | -1.8% |
| 27 | Connecticut | $460 | $469 | -1.9% |
| 28 | Maryland | $423 | $432 | -2.0% |
| 29 | West Virginia | $430 | $441 | -2.5% |
| 30 | Louisiana | $154 | $158 | -2.6% |
| 31 | Minnesota | $131 | $135 | -2.7% |
| 32 | Idaho | $202 | $208 | -3.0% |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $160 | $166 | -3.3% |
| 34 | Georgia | $500 | $520 | -3.7% |
| 34 | Missouri | $276 | $287 | -3.7% |
| 36 | Michigan | $450 | $468 | -3.8% |
| 37 | South Carolina | $420 | $437 | -4.0% |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | $358 | $373 | -4.1% |
| 39 | New Jersey | $378 | $394 | -4.3% |
| 40 | Delaware | $400 | $421 | -5.0% |
| 41 | Tennessee | $269 | $285 | -5.6% |
| 42 | Florida | $398 | $425 | -6.5% |
| 43 | Texas | $279 | $300 | -6.8% |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $85 | $92 | -7.9% |
| 45 | Wyoming | $69 | $75 | -8.0% |
Lottery payouts relative to spending vary widely by state
Average per-capita lottery winnings were $215 in 2024. However, that doesn’t mean that if you spend $323 on lottery tickets, you’ll likely win $215.
Average winnings can be heavily skewed by those lucky enough to win the biggest jackpots. For example, say two people buy lottery tickets, and one doesn’t win anything while the other wins $100 million. The average winnings for the pair would be $50 million, although one walks away with generational wealth, while the other walks away with nothing.
We also looked at payouts by state. In Virginia, $5.6 billion was spent on the lottery in 2024 and $4.2 billion in prizes was paid out, meaning that 75.9% of money spent on the lottery was returned to players in prizes. That’s the highest percentage in the nation, though Kentucky (71.5%), Missouri (70.4%) and Massachusetts (70.0%) — the nation’s leader in per-capita lottery spending — weren’t far behind.
At the other end of the rankings, payouts accounted for just 19.8% of spending in South Dakota, 20.2% in Oregon, 21.0% in West Virginia and 32.5% in Rhode Island. Every other state with lottery games returned at least half of the money spent on those games to players as prizes.
Lottery payouts as a percentage of spending, 2024
| Rank | State | Total lottery spending | Lottery prizes | Payout % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | $5,590,364,820 | $4,245,744,000 | 75.9% |
| 2 | Kentucky | $2,121,084,885 | $1,516,794,000 | 71.5% |
| 3 | Missouri | $1,731,019,735 | $1,218,498,000 | 70.4% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $6,463,780,330 | $4,525,776,000 | 70.0% |
| 5 | Idaho | $409,604,805 | $286,163,000 | 69.9% |
| 6 | Maine | $424,405,400 | $292,600,000 | 68.9% |
| 7 | Arkansas | $610,228,880 | $419,987,000 | 68.8% |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $4,679,007,290 | $3,215,389,000 | 68.7% |
| 9 | Ohio | $4,471,292,560 | $3,011,996,000 | 67.4% |
| 10 | South Carolina | $2,338,519,330 | $1,571,704,000 | 67.2% |
| 11 | Georgia | $5,656,960,640 | $3,798,575,000 | 67.1% |
| 11 | North Carolina | $5,671,173,600 | $3,802,659,000 | 67.1% |
| 13 | Florida | $9,332,427,665 | $6,254,657,000 | 67.0% |
| 14 | Connecticut | $1,698,109,010 | $1,136,463,000 | 66.9% |
| 15 | Indiana | $1,715,431,055 | $1,141,692,000 | 66.6% |
| 16 | Michigan | $4,557,305,655 | $3,025,337,000 | 66.4% |
| 17 | Colorado | $879,438,505 | $577,813,000 | 65.7% |
| 18 | Minnesota | $764,619,690 | $497,985,000 | 65.1% |
| 19 | Washington | $980,753,320 | $636,283,000 | 64.9% |
| 20 | Maryland | $2,649,923,680 | $1,715,554,000 | 64.7% |
| 20 | Iowa | $483,148,855 | $312,568,000 | 64.7% |
| 22 | Texas | $8,851,216,845 | $5,655,486,000 | 63.9% |
| 23 | Illinois | $4,068,841,710 | $2,579,494,000 | 63.4% |
| 24 | Oklahoma | $350,682,000 | $219,852,000 | 62.7% |
| 25 | Kansas | $325,316,635 | $202,385,000 | 62.2% |
| 26 | California | $9,785,245,270 | $6,031,572,000 | 61.6% |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $955,661,200 | $588,954,000 | 61.6% |
| 28 | Montana | $87,421,520 | $53,763,000 | 61.5% |
| 29 | Delaware | $423,621,535 | $257,518,000 | 60.8% |
| 30 | Tennessee | $1,964,280,235 | $1,181,113,000 | 60.1% |
| 31 | New Jersey | $3,606,212,605 | $2,157,643,000 | 59.8% |
| 32 | Arizona | $1,721,847,565 | $1,027,858,000 | 59.7% |
| 33 | Vermont | $188,703,630 | $111,597,000 | 59.1% |
| 34 | New Hampshire | $598,841,210 | $345,033,000 | 57.6% |
| 35 | Mississippi | $544,391,605 | $298,662,000 | 54.9% |
| 36 | Wyoming | $40,469,800 | $22,046,000 | 54.5% |
| 37 | New Mexico | $179,600,035 | $93,553,000 | 52.1% |
| 37 | New York | $9,445,872,870 | $4,917,882,000 | 52.1% |
| 39 | Nebraska | $248,369,155 | $129,092,000 | 52.0% |
| 40 | Louisiana | $712,457,325 | $370,085,000 | 51.9% |
| 41 | North Dakota | $40,388,565 | $20,758,000 | 51.4% |
| 42 | Rhode Island | $631,508,230 | $205,200,000 | 32.5% |
| 43 | West Virginia | $759,812,055 | $159,228,000 | 21.0% |
| 44 | Oregon | $1,418,124,670 | $285,923,000 | 20.2% |
| 45 | South Dakota | $260,894,115 | $51,528,000 | 19.8% |
Proceed with caution
We all have favorite things we love spending money on. For some people, the lottery is one of them. That can be fine, assuming it’s done in moderation. It can even be viewed as an entertainment expense — a few dollars spent for the excitement and the chance to win.
If you spend too much too often, however, it can become a real problem. That’s money that can’t go toward building an emergency fund, paying down high-interest debt or working toward other long-term financial goals. The opportunity cost of that spending can be high over time.
Budgeting can help you avoid overspending. It may seem silly at first to budget for lottery tickets, but if you regularly spend a significant amount on them, there’s nothing wrong with including that expense in your budget. In fact, doing so can help you keep that spending in check. That way, if you go a little overboard one week — such as when a jackpot hits $1 billion — you can adjust your budget elsewhere to make room.
Part of the fun of the lottery is putting a few dollars down and dreaming of a day when all your money problems are solved and your worries are gone. However, until that day comes, lean on your budget to make sure the money spent on that dream doesn’t turn your finances into a nightmare.
Methodology
LendingTree researchers analyzed lottery data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 Annual Survey of State Government Finances — the latest available. State population data came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey one-year estimates.
Analysts estimated lottery spending (annual ticket sales excluding commissions, plus an assumed 5.5% in commissions), prize payouts and net losses on a per-capita basis. Retailers are paid a commission on every lottery ticket they sell, which can vary based on factors including the type of product sold and the retailer’s location. Commissions typically range from 5% to 8%. For our analysis, we assumed a 5.5% commission on all lottery ticket sales.
The following states don’t have lotteries and were excluded from our analysis:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Nevada
- Utah
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