Ohio lottery players are seeing a major change in the daily draw lineup with the debut of a new multi-state game called Millionaire for Life, which replaces the long-running Lucky for Life game.
The new game, which launched over the weekend, offers larger lifetime prizes and nightly drawings in participating states, including Ohio. Lottery officials say the new format is designed to create more winners and bigger long-term payouts compared with its predecessor.
Here’s what Ohio players should know about the new game.
What happened to Lucky for Life?
Lucky for Life officially ended in February 2026, with its final drawing being held Feb. 21 before the new game launched Sunday night, Feb. 22.
The longtime multi-state game offered a top prize of $1,000 a day for life, along with a second-tier prize of $25,000 a year for life.
What is Millionaire for Life?
Millionaire for Life is a new game offering a top prize of $1 million a year for life and a second prize of $100,000 a year for life.
Both of these top prizes are paid as annuities with a guaranteed minimum payout period, though winners may also have the option to take a lump-sum cash payment.
Tickets cost $5 per play, making it more expensive than the former Lucky for Life game but with larger potential payouts.
How to play Millionaire for Life
To play Millionaire for Life, players select six numbers on each ticket. Five numbers are chosen from 1 to 58, along with one Millionaire Ball number from 1 to 5. Players also have the opportunity to choose a Quick Pick option to have the numbers randomly generated.
There are nine ways to win, and players can start winning cash prizes by matching just one white ball plus the Millionaire Ball – or by matching two white balls, according to Ohio Lottery officials.
Drawings are held nightly at 11:15 p.m. The top prize, $1 million a year for life, is awarded to players who match all five numbers plus the Millionaire Ball. Additional prizes are available for matching fewer numbers, with lower-tier winnings depending on how many numbers and whether the Millionaire Ball is matched.
What are the odds of winning Millionaire for Life?
While Millionaire for Life was created to produce daily winners, the overall odds of a winning a prize are 1 in 8.46 and and the odds of winning the grand prize are 1 in 22.9 million.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com, or on Twitter @athompsonABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: What Ohio lottery players need to know about Millionaire for Life game
Reporting by Anthony Thompson, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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