You're standing at the gas station counter, staring at the neon "Lotto" sign, and wondering if you've missed the boat. It happens. We’ve all been there, especially when the jackpot starts hitting those numbers that make you daydream about quitting your job and buying a private island. If you're looking for the short answer on what time can you buy lottery tickets in Texas today, here is the deal: You can basically buy them almost anytime, provided the store is open, but there is a very specific "blackout" window every single night.
In Texas, the lottery terminals go offline daily from 12:00 a.m. (midnight) to 12:30 a.m. CT.
During those 30 minutes, the system is basically taking a nap. You can't buy draw game tickets like Powerball or Mega Millions, and the clerk can't even validate your winning tickets to pay you out. If you’re at a 24-hour convenience store at 12:15 a.m., you’re out of luck until that clock hits 12:30.
Understanding the "Draw Break" Deadlines
Buying a ticket is one thing. Buying it in time for tonight's drawing is a whole different ballgame.
Texas is pretty strict about its draw breaks. If you're trying to get in on a specific game, you need to know when the curtains close. For example, today is Friday, January 16, 2026. Since it's a Friday, the big kahuna on everyone’s mind is Mega Millions.
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For Mega Millions, the draw break starts at 9:45 p.m. CT.
If you walk up at 9:46 p.m., the terminal will still sell you a ticket, but it’ll be for the next drawing, not tonight's. That’s a long time to wait if you were hoping to be a millionaire by morning.
Friday Draw Times and Cut-offs
Since it’s Friday, here’s how the clock is ticking for the most popular games:
- Mega Millions: You must buy by 9:45 p.m. for tonight’s $230 million estimated jackpot.
- Pick 3 and Daily 4: These have several draws throughout the day (12:27 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 10:12 p.m.). The break starts about 10 to 12 minutes before each draw.
- All or Nothing: Similar to the daily games, the night draw is at 10:12 p.m., with the break starting at 10:02 p.m.
- Cash Five: The break starts at 10:02 p.m. for the 10:12 p.m. drawing.
It’s worth mentioning that while the terminals are "down" from midnight to 12:30 a.m., many retailers will still sell you Scratch Tickets (scratch-offs) if they have them behind the counter and aren't using the terminal to process the sale. However, most clerks won't bother if they can't log the sale in the system immediately. Honestly, just wait the 30 minutes.
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Why Location Matters More Than the Clock
You might know exactly what time the lottery closes, but does your local corner store?
The Texas Lottery doesn't set store hours; it only sets terminal hours. If your local H-E-B or Kroger closes at 11:00 p.m., then for you, the lottery "closes" at 11:00 p.m.
Most people in big cities like Houston, Dallas, or Austin rely on 24-hour gas stations like 7-Eleven or Buc-ee's. Even at a 24-hour spot, the clerk might be doing a shift change or cleaning the rollers right when you walk in. Kinda frustrating, right?
Also, keep in mind that today, Friday, January 16, 2026, certain state facilities are behaving differently. For instance, the Abilene Claim Center is actually closed all day today. If you were planning on heading there to claim a prize over $599, you’ll have to wait until Monday or visit a different regional office.
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The Sunday Rule
Just a heads-up for the weekend: Texas is one of those states that doesn't do drawings on Sundays. You can still buy tickets on Sunday for the Monday drawings (like Powerball or Lotto Texas), but you won't see any balls bouncing on TV until the new week starts. The midnight-to-12:30 a.m. terminal downtime still applies every single night, including Sundays.
Pro Tips for Last-Minute Players
If you’re racing against the 9:45 p.m. Mega Millions cut-off, don't wait until 9:44 p.m. The system can lag. If there’s a massive jackpot, the sheer volume of people buying tickets across Texas can slow down the terminal response time.
- Use the App: You can’t technically "buy" the ticket directly on the official Texas Lottery app (due to state laws), but you can pick your numbers and generate a QR code. This makes the transaction at the register take five seconds instead of two minutes of you shouting numbers through a plexiglass window.
- Debit vs. Cash: In Texas, it is legal to buy lottery tickets with a debit card, but many smaller "mom and pop" shops will insist on cash only to avoid processing fees. Always keep a $20 bill in your pocket just in case. Credit cards? Forget about it. Texas law generally prohibits buying lottery tickets with credit.
- Check the Terminal: If the screen on the lottery terminal is dark or showing a "Maintenance" message, the store can't help you. This usually happens during that midnight window or if their internet connection is acting up.
What Time Can You Buy Lottery Tickets in Texas Today? (The Summary)
Basically, if you want a ticket for tonight’s Mega Millions, get to a store before 9:45 p.m. CT. For any other game, just avoid the 12:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. window when the entire state system goes dark for updates.
If you happen to win big tonight—and hey, someone has to—remember that you have 180 days to claim that prize. Don't leave it in your sun visor; the Texas heat has ruined many a winning ticket by turning the thermal paper black.
Next Steps for Players:
Verify your local store's closing time before heading out late. If you are aiming for the Mega Millions drawing tonight, ensure you have your tickets in hand before the 9:45 p.m. draw break. Always sign the back of your ticket immediately after purchase to protect your claim. For prizes over $599, plan a trip to a regional claim center during their standard business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding the Abilene location today).