Notable Nebraska Lottery Wins
Nebraska has produced multiple significant lottery winners since 1993. The state's participation in both Powerball (since 1994) and Mega Millions has given players access to some of the largest jackpots ever offered. Several Nebraska players have claimed prizes exceeding $100 million in multi-state games.
Powerball and Mega Millions Winners
Nebraska's biggest lottery wins have come from the multi-state games. As a long-standing Powerball state, Nebraska has had decades of chances at massive jackpots. In 2006, a group of ConAgra employees from Lincoln split a $365 million Powerball jackpot — one of the largest in Powerball history at the time. For strategy resources, see our Powerball Guide and Mega Millions Guide.
Pick 5 Winners
Pick 5 produces winners of its rolling jackpot on a regular basis due to its more favorable odds compared to multi-state games. With jackpot odds of roughly 1 in 501,942, the game creates a steady stream of five- and six-figure winners. The jackpot starts at $50,000 and can grow substantially between wins.
The Three-Way Beneficiary Split
When you play any Nebraska Lottery game, your ticket purchase supports three causes: education programs, environmental trust funds, and the Nebraska State Fair. This unique three-way split means every ticket sold contributes to preserving Nebraska's natural resources, funding educational initiatives, and maintaining one of the oldest state fairs in the country.
Claiming Prizes in Nebraska
Nebraska lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. Prizes up to $599 can be claimed at any licensed lottery retailer. Prizes of $600 or more require a claim form and can be submitted at the Nebraska Lottery headquarters in Lincoln or by mail. Prizes over $5,000 are subject to automatic tax withholding.
Taxes on Nebraska Lottery Winnings
Nebraska has a 5% state tax on lottery winnings. Federal withholding of 24% applies to prizes over $5,000, bringing the combined withholding to 29% for larger prizes. Use our Jackpot Tax Calculator to model the difference between lump sum and annuity for any prize amount.