South Dakota Lottery Draw Games
The South Dakota Lottery offers five draw games, from its state-exclusive Dakota Cash to multi-state mega-jackpots. Established in 1987 after voters approved a constitutional amendment in November 1986, South Dakota was among the earlier states to launch a lottery. The enabling bill passed in April 1987, and tickets went on sale September 30, 1987. Revenue is directed to the General Fund supporting K-12 education and universities, as well as the Capital Construction Fund. South Dakota levies 0% state tax on lottery winnings because the state has no income tax, making it one of the most tax-friendly states for lottery winners in the country.
Dakota Cash (5/35)
Dakota Cash is South Dakota's exclusive jackpot game. Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 35, drawn Wednesday and Saturday. Each ticket costs $1. As the only South Dakota-specific draw game, Dakota Cash offers significantly better odds than national games thanks to the smaller number pool. The 5/35 format means the odds of matching all five numbers are roughly 1 in 324,632 — far more attainable than multi-state games. Regular players who focus on a single state game often find Dakota Cash the most rewarding to track and analyze.
Lotto America (5/52 + Star Ball 1/10)
Lotto America is a multi-state game with a compact format. Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 52 plus a Star Ball from 1 to 10, drawn Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Each ticket costs $1 with an optional All Star Bonus multiplier. The smaller secondary pool (1-10 vs. 1-26 for Powerball) gives Lotto America better overall odds than the national mega-jackpot games while still building substantial multi-million-dollar prizes. South Dakota is one of the original Lotto America participating states.
Millionaire for Life (5/58 + Lucky Ball 1/5)
Millionaire for Life offers the largest recurring payouts. Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 58 plus a Lucky Ball from 1 to 5, drawn daily. Each ticket costs $5. The top prize is $1 million per year for life, with seven prize tiers from $5 up. This game replaced Lucky for Life, which was retired on February 21, 2026. The recurring payout structure appeals to players who prefer steady income over a single lump sum, and South Dakota's zero state tax makes lifetime payouts especially valuable.
Powerball (5/69 + 1/26)
Powerball 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. South Dakota has a special connection to Powerball — the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), which operates Powerball, is headquartered in Urbandale, Iowa, and South Dakota was one of the founding member states. With no state income tax, Powerball winners in South Dakota keep more of their prize than in most other states.
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. Like Powerball, South Dakota's zero state tax makes Mega Millions wins especially valuable here compared to states that charge 4-13% on lottery winnings.
Which South Dakota Game Should You Play?
For the best odds of winning a jackpot, Dakota Cash's 5/35 format gives you roughly a 1-in-325,000 shot — hundreds of times better than national games. For a mid-tier multi-state game, Lotto America balances decent odds with growing jackpots three times per week. For recurring lifetime payouts, Millionaire for Life offers $1 million per year for life. For the biggest single jackpots, Powerball and Mega Millions deliver — and South Dakota's 0% state tax means you keep more of every prize. Use our Frequency Analysis and Hot & Cold Numbers tools on the South Dakota lottery dashboard to explore patterns across all games.