You’re standing at a gas station counter in a tiny town near the border. The line is out the door. Everyone is clutching a handful of crumpled twenty-dollar bills, waiting for that slip of thermal paper that promises a billion-dollar dream. For most Americans, this is a Tuesday. But if you live in certain corners of the country, this scene is actually illegal.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a weird American quirk. We have 50 states, yet five of them flatly refuse to join the Powerball party. While the rest of us are busy picking our "lucky numbers"—usually birthdays or anniversaries that haven't hit in twenty years—residents in these specific spots have to pack a bag and drive across state lines just to get a ticket.
So, what states do not play Powerball in 2026? It’s not just about a lack of interest. The reasons range from deep-rooted religious beliefs to protecting massive casino empires that don't want the competition.
The No-Go List: Where Powerball is Banned
There are five holdouts. No Powerball. No Mega Millions. No scratch-offs behind the counter.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Nevada
- Utah
It’s a strange mix, right? You’ve got the gambling capital of the world (Nevada) sitting right next to one of the most conservative religious strongholds (Utah). Yet, they both say "no" to the lottery for completely opposite reasons.
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Nevada: The Casino King Protects Its Own
You’d think Nevada would be the first place to embrace a lottery. I mean, you can play a slot machine while waiting for your luggage at the Reno-Tahoe airport. But that’s exactly why you won't find Powerball there.
The casino lobby in Nevada is incredibly powerful. They view a state lottery as a direct threat to their bottom line. Why would they want you spending $10 on a Powerball ticket when you could be sitting at a blackjack table or a "Wheel of Fortune" slot? The gaming industry argues that the lottery provides a lower return to players and doesn't create the same kind of jobs that resorts do. So, if you're in Las Vegas and want a ticket, you'll see people driving an hour out to Primm, California, just to stand in a massive line at the lottery store. It’s wild.
Utah and Alabama: The Moral Stand
In Utah and Alabama, the opposition is largely cultural and religious. Utah’s state constitution actually has a hard ban on all forms of gambling. Since the majority of the population belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which opposes gambling, there’s zero political appetite to change that.
Alabama is a similar story, though it’s been closer to changing lately. Historically, the "Bible Belt" influence has kept the lottery out. There have been dozens of bills over the years to establish a lottery to fund education, but they usually die in the state legislature due to a mix of moral objections and disagreements over who gets the tax revenue.
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The Logistics of the "Lotto Run"
Since these states don't participate, "lotto tourism" is a real thing.
Residents in Salt Lake City regularly make the trek to Malad, Idaho. It’s a tiny town that basically exists to sell lottery tickets to people from Utah. In fact, a gas station there once claimed to be the top Powerball retailer in the entire region. People aren't just buying one ticket; they’re buying stacks for their friends, their coworkers, and their neighbors.
Hawaii and Alaska have it much harder. You can't exactly "drive over the border" from Honolulu. For Alaskans, a trip to the nearest lottery state (Washington) involves a flight. Hawaii remains one of the few states with absolutely no legal gambling of any kind—no casinos, no sports betting, no lotto. Lawmakers there worry that gambling would ruin the "family-friendly" image of the islands and potentially hurt the tourism industry.
Why Does It Matter?
When you ask what states do not play Powerball, you’re usually asking because of a massive jackpot. When the prize hits $1 billion, the "fear of missing out" is real.
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The states that don't play are missing out on serious revenue. In states like Florida or New York, lottery profits pour billions into public schools and senior citizen programs. Critics in the "no-lotto" states argue that their citizens are spending that money anyway—they're just giving it to Idaho, Georgia, or California instead of keeping it at home.
Can You Buy Tickets Online?
Here is the catch. You might see websites claiming to sell Powerball tickets to anyone, anywhere. Be careful. In the U.S., you generally have to be physically located in a state that sells Powerball to buy a ticket.
Some states allow "lottery couriers" like Jackpocket or Jackpot.com. These services buy a physical ticket for you. However, these only work if the courier is licensed in a state that actually has a lottery. If you are sitting in the middle of Provo, Utah, you usually can't legally use these apps because they use GPS to verify you're in a "legal" zone.
Actionable Tips for Non-Participating State Residents
If you live in one of the five holdouts and the jackpot is too big to ignore, here is what you need to know:
- Verify the Border Town: Don't just drive blindly. Check which gas stations across the state line are authorized retailers. Some get so crowded during big draws that they actually run out of paper or have 3-hour waits.
- Check the Tax Laws: If you live in Alabama but buy a winning ticket in Florida, you might owe taxes to both states (depending on the year and specific reciprocity laws). Always talk to a professional if you actually hit it big.
- Physical Ticket is King: You must have the physical ticket to claim a prize. If you're doing a "pool" with friends, make sure you have a photo of the ticket and a written agreement.
- Don't Fall for Scams: No one is going to "email" you a winning Powerball ticket if you live in Nevada. If you didn't physically buy it (or use a verified, licensed courier while in a legal state), it’s likely a scam.
Basically, if you're in one of these five states, you're an observer unless you're willing to travel. It’s a strange divide in a country that otherwise loves to gamble.
Next Step: Check the official Powerball website's "Where to Play" map to find the nearest authorized retailer to your current location before the next drawing.