Iowa Lottery Draw Games
The Iowa Lottery offers six draw games ranging from daily digit picks to multi-state mega-jackpots. Established in 1985, the Iowa Lottery is historically significant as the birthplace of Powerball, which launched in Iowa in 1992. Iowa was also a founding member of the original Lotto America game in 1988. Revenue supports state programs including veterans services, education, and economic development. Iowa has a 3.8% state tax on lottery winnings. All draw times are Central Time.
Pick 3 (3 digits, 0-9)
Pick 3 is Iowa's daily digit game. Choose three digits from 0 to 9 with midday draws at 12:20 PM CT and evening draws at 10:00 PM CT, seven days a week. Play types include Straight ($600 top prize), Box, Straight/Box, Front Pair, and Back Pair. With drawings twice daily, Pick 3 offers the most frequent play opportunities of any Iowa game.
Pick 4 (4 digits, 0-9)
Pick 4 works the same way as Pick 3 but with four digits. Midday draws at 12:20 PM CT and evening draws at 10:00 PM CT, daily. The Straight top prize is $5,000. The same play types are available as Pick 3, giving players flexibility in how they structure their wagers.
Lotto America (5/52 + Star Ball 1/10)
Lotto America holds special significance for Iowa — the original Lotto America launched here in 1988 as one of the first multi-state lottery games, eventually evolving into Powerball. The game was relaunched in 2017 with a new format. Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 52 plus a Star Ball from 1 to 10, drawn Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings at 9:15 PM CT. The All Star Bonus multiplier can boost non-jackpot prizes for an extra $1. Jackpots start at $2 million and grow until won.
Millionaire For Life (5/58 + Millionaire Ball 1/5)
Millionaire For Life is a daily draw game offering life-changing recurring payouts. Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 58 plus a Millionaire Ball from 1 to 5, drawn every evening at 10:15 PM CT. The top prize is $18 million paid for life, with a second-tier prize of $100,000 per year for life. Nine prize tiers make this a compelling option for players seeking long-term income.
Powerball (5/69 + 1/26)
Powerball was born in Iowa in 1992, replacing the original Lotto America game. It draws Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings. Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 69 plus a Powerball from 1 to 26. The Power Play multiplier can boost non-jackpot prizes up to 10x for an extra $1. Jackpot odds are 1 in 292,201,338.
Mega Millions (5/70 + 1/25)
Mega Millions draws Tuesday and Friday evenings. Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 70 plus a Mega Ball from 1 to 25. The Megaplier multiplies non-jackpot prizes up to 5x for an extra $1. Jackpot odds are 1 in 302,575,350.
Which Iowa Game Should You Play?
For daily action, Pick 3 and Pick 4 draw twice a day. For a multi-state game with Iowa roots, Lotto America carries historical significance and better odds than Powerball or Mega Millions. For life-changing recurring payouts, Millionaire For Life offers $18M for life at the top tier. For the biggest single jackpots, Powerball and Mega Millions deliver. Use our Frequency Analysis and Hot & Cold Numbers tools on the Iowa lottery dashboard to explore patterns across all games.