You’re standing in a gas station in Las Vegas, staring at the snacks, and you realize you haven’t seen a single Powerball sign. You might think, "Wait, isn't this the gambling capital of the world?"
It’s one of those weird American quirks. You can bet on a parlay for a Tuesday night MAC football game in Nevada, but you can't buy a lottery ticket.
If you’re wondering how many states is the Powerball in, the answer is 45.
But that number only tells half the story. If you include the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, there are actually 48 different jurisdictions where you can drop two bucks on a dream of never working again.
The Missing Five: Why Some States Refuse to Play
Most people assume the lottery is everywhere. It’s not. There are five specific states where the Powerball is essentially persona non grata.
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Utah and Hawaii are the most hardline. They don't just ban the lottery; they ban pretty much all forms of gambling. In Utah, it’s deeply rooted in the influence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In Hawaii, lawmakers often argue that a lottery would prey on low-income residents or ruin the "family-friendly" tourism vibe.
Then there’s Nevada. This one is the ultimate irony. Nevada doesn't have a lottery because the casino lobby is incredibly powerful. They don’t want the competition. If you’re in Vegas and want a ticket, you’ll see people driving 40 miles to the California border to a tiny store in Primm that exists almost exclusively to sell lotto tickets to Nevadans.
Alaska is a bit of an outlier. It’s mostly about the logistics and the small population. They have the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), which is basically a state-issued check for everyone who lives there, so the "need" for a lottery to fund state projects has never gained enough political steam.
Alabama is the final holdout. It’s been a decades-long battle between religious groups and those who want the revenue for education. As of early 2026, bills have been introduced and debated, but the state remains without a formal lottery.
The Full List: Where You Can Actually Play
Honestly, it’s easier to list where you can play. If you aren't in those five states mentioned above, you’re probably good to go.
- Arizona (Joined in 1994)
- Arkansas
- California (They joined late in 2013, which was a huge deal for jackpot sizes)
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida (A massive hub for winners)
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana (Home to more Powerball jackpot winners than any other state)
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi (One of the newest members, joining in 2020)
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Plus the "Non-States":
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- District of Columbia
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands
Does it matter which state you buy in?
Technically, no. The odds of winning the Powerball are the same whether you’re buying a ticket in a snowy corner of North Dakota or a beachside bodega in Puerto Rico.
However, your take-home pay varies wildly depending on the state.
If you win in a state with no income tax—like Florida, Texas, or Washington—you’re only worrying about the federal government taking its 24% (and eventually 37%) cut. But if you win in New York or Maryland, the state is going to take a significant bite out of that jackpot before the check even hits your hand.
The Idaho-Montana "Bundle" Quirk
One thing that trips people up is how much a ticket costs. Usually, it's $2.
But if you’re in Idaho or Montana, things look a little different. These states often bundle the "Power Play" option, meaning you might have to pay $3 for a ticket because the multiplier is automatically included. It’s a minor detail, but it confuses travelers who are used to the standard $2 play.
The Mississippi Turnaround
For years, Mississippi was on the "No" list. It was a "dry" state for gambling outside of the coastal and riverboat casinos. That changed in 2018 when the legislature finally realized how much money was literally driving across the border to Louisiana and Tennessee.
They officially started selling Powerball tickets in early 2020. It was a massive shift and shows that the "How many states is the Powerball in" question is always subject to change. Alabama is currently the one to watch—there's almost always a bill on the floor trying to get them into the game.
Actionable Insights for Players
If you’re planning to play, here is the ground truth:
- Check the Tax Laws: If you have the luxury of choice (like living on a border), buy your ticket in the state with the lower income tax. It can save you millions on a jackpot.
- Physical Presence Matters: You must be physically located in a participating state to buy a ticket. You can't legally buy them across state lines via the mail, though apps like Jackpocket have made digital purchases legal in specific jurisdictions by physically buying the ticket for you.
- Know the Cut-off: Every state has a different cut-off time for ticket sales on drawing nights (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday). Most are an hour or two before the 10:59 p.m. ET draw, but don't wait until 10:45.
- Sign the Ticket: Regardless of which of the 45 states you're in, a lottery ticket is a "bearer instrument." If you lose it and haven't signed it, whoever finds it can claim the prize. Sign the back immediately.
The landscape of the lottery is basically a map of American cultural and economic priorities. While 45 states are currently in the mix, the pressure for revenue usually wins out over time, and that number will likely only go up.