New Hampshire Lottery FAQ

Q: How can I find the New Hampshire Lottery® winning numbers?

A: There are many convenient ways to check for winning numbers; your favorite retailer, local newscast, daily newspaper, favorite radio station, Winning Numbers Hotline at (603) 271-8935 or on the Winning Numbers page on this site.

Q: Is it true that New Hampshire started the first modern day lottery?

A: Yes, tickets went on sale in 1964. Other states followed a few years later.

Q: Who can play the New Hampshire Lottery®?

A: Anyone 18 years or older may purchase New Hampshire Lottery® tickets from authorized Lottery retailers in accordance with New Hampshire Lottery® rules and regulations.

Q: Where does the income from the sale of Lottery tickets go?

A: Approximately 61 cents of each dollar is paid out in prizes. Around 27 cents of each dollar is transferred to the state in the form of aid to education, while 9 cents is for cost of sales and 3 cents is for operating expenses.

* All Lottery profits are designated, by the state constitution, to benefit public education.

Q: Can New Hampshire Lottery® tickets be purchased online over the internet?

A: No, at this time, Lottery tickets cannot be purchased online over the internet.

Q: What happens if I lose my ticket?

A: The New Hampshire Lottery® is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets. Lottery tickets are bearer instruments. Unless signed, anyone in possession of the ticket can file a claim.

Q: How long do I have to claim a prize?

A: Unclaimed prizes for Instant games expire one year after the game is closed, and Online games expire one year from the draw date.

Q: If I win, what taxes will be withheld from my check before I receive it?

A: The Lottery Commission is required to report any winnings over $599 to the Internal Revenue Service using a W2-G document; this will be sent to you at the end of the year. There is a federal tax withholding of 25% for any winnings over $5,000. The top federal graduated tax rate is 35%. Lottery winners may be at a tax rate other than the 25% withholding rate. Non-Resident of the United States will have a 30% tax withholding for any winnings over $599.

Q: Can a group of people share a Lottery prize?

A: Yes, each prize winner should sign the back of the ticket, and complete individual claim and tax forms.

Q: If I win the jackpot, can I collect my winnings without letting anyone know I won?

A: New Hampshire state law requires the winner's name, town and amount won be available for public information. A winner's street address and phone number is not considered public information.

Q: If the winner of a jackpot paid over 25 years should pass away before claiming all payments, does the state keep the remaining money?

A: No, the annual payments are continued to the estate of the winner, up to and including the final payment.

Q: For jackpots paid over 25 years, does the state keep the interest earned on the jackpot over that period of time?

A: No, the jackpot is based on all of the cash available in the jackpot prize pool, and interest earned on the cash over 25 years. For example, a 2 million dollar jackpot is worth approximately 1 million in cash, and 1 million in interest.

Q: How many new instant games are sold each year?

A: The New Hampshire Lottery® puts on sale approximately 45-50 different games per year.

Q: Does the Lottery place winning instant tickets in certain parts of the state?

A: No, winning tickets are randomly placed by the computer into the packs of instant tickets during the manufacturing process. The Lottery randomly distributes the packs around the state. Because of this system, players in one part of the state have as much chance of buying winning instant tickets as those in any other part of the state.

Q: What are the odds of winning something in the instant games?

A: The odds are quite good, approximately 1 in every 4.2 tickets are winners.

Q: I won $500,000 on an instant ticket and I’m heading to Lottery headquarters to claim my prize. Will I be paid that day?

A: Non-jackpot prizes of $250,000 and higher may take up to three business days to process. To expedite payment the Lottery suggests payment by wire transfer to a bank or brokerage account in the winner's name. A winner electing the wire transfer method of payment must provide the Lottery with a voided check or wire transfer instructions to an appropriate account. Wire transfer payments can be received within one to two business days.

Back to top.