You’re standing at a gas station counter, staring at the neon-colored scratch-offs. There’s a line behind you, the smell of burnt coffee is in the air, and you’re wondering if this specific store—this dingy little spot on the corner of 5th and Main—is actually "lucky." We’ve all been there. You hear stories about a deli in New York or a Publix in Florida that keeps churning out millionaires, and suddenly, your local convenience store feels like a dud.
But here’s the thing. When people ask where are the most winning lottery tickets sold, they’re usually looking for a secret map to a goldmine. The reality is a mix of cold, hard math and some pretty fascinating human psychology.
The "Lucky" Store Myth vs. High-Volume Reality
Let’s get one thing straight: a store isn't actually "lucky." It’s just busy.
Think about it this way. If Store A sells 10 tickets a day and Store B sells 10,000, Store B is going to report a "winning ticket" way more often. It’s not because the universe likes Store B better; it’s just because they have more "bites at the apple."
Take Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California. Back in 2022, they sold the record-breaking $2.04 billion Powerball ticket. People flocked there. Why? Because it’s "lucky." But the owner, Joe Chahayed, will tell you his shop is just a high-traffic spot where a lot of people happen to stop for gas and a dream.
Statistically, the "luckiest" places are almost always:
- Busy gas stations off major highways.
- Large grocery store chains (like Publix or Kroger).
- Corner delis in densely populated cities like Manhattan or Chicago.
In Tennessee, for example, records from 2024 and 2025 show that the top-selling retailers are clustered in high-traffic areas like Knoxville and Nashville, specifically in zip codes like 37912 and 37918. These aren't magic portals; they’re just places where thousands of people pass through every single day.
States With the Most Wins: It’s Not Who You Expect
You’d think the biggest states would have the most winners. California, Texas, Florida—they have the people, right? Well, yes and no.
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If we’re talking about Powerball, the "luckiest" state in history isn't California. It’s Indiana. As of early 2026, Indiana has produced 39 jackpot winners. That’s nearly 10% of all winners since the game started in 1992. Missouri follows closely with 31, and Minnesota has 22.
Why the Midwest? It’s partly because these states were some of the first to join the Powerball group. They’ve been playing longer.
However, if you look at Mega Millions, the crown belongs to New York. The Empire State has seen 43 jackpot wins. California sits in second place with 35. Just last December in 2024, a massive $1.22 billion ticket was sold in Cottonwood, California.
Powerball Jackpot Winners by State (Historical through 2025)
- Indiana: 39 winners
- Missouri: 31 winners
- Minnesota: 22 winners
- Pennsylvania: 20 winners
- Wisconsin: 19 winners
- Kentucky: 19 winners
It’s a weird split. The East Coast and California dominate the "new" massive jackpots because of their massive populations, but the old-school Powerball states in the heartland still hold the historical records.
Does Your Zip Code Actually Matter?
There is a lot of debate about whether lower-income or higher-income areas sell more winners. Honestly, it’s a bit of both.
A 2025 study by the Tennessee Lottery found that while many high-volume retailers are in neighborhoods with lower median incomes, the "top spenders" often live in wealthy enclaves. We’re talking about zip codes like 07078 in Short Hills, New Jersey, or 94027 in Atherton, California.
In these wealthy areas, people might spend more per person, but in high-density urban areas, the sheer number of people buying one or two tickets creates a higher frequency of winning claims.
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Basically, you’re looking for "The Hub." If a store is near a major workplace, a transit center, or a popular commuter route, it’s going to sell more tickets. And because it sells more tickets, it’s going to have more winners.
The Retailer Bonus: Why Stores Want You to Win
Ever see those "Millionaire Made Here" signs? Stores love them. In most states, the retailer gets a massive bonus for selling a winning ticket.
In California, the store that sold the $2.04 billion ticket got a $1 million bonus. That’s a life-changing amount of money for a small business owner. Even for smaller prizes, retailers often get a 1% commission on the win.
This creates a "success loop."
- Store sells a big winner.
- Store puts up a sign.
- More people come to the "lucky" store.
- Store sells even more tickets.
- Probability dictates they will eventually sell another winner.
It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The Cold Truth About Your Odds
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your odds don't change based on where you stand. Whether you’re at a high-volume "lucky" store in Manhattan or a quiet gas station in rural Wyoming (one of the states with the fewest winners, by the way), the odds of hitting the Powerball jackpot remain exactly 1 in 292.2 million.
The ticket doesn't know where it was printed. The balls in the drawing machine don't care about the zip code on the back of your slip.
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How to Pick Your Spot
If you're still convinced that location matters, or you just want to enjoy the ritual of buying from a "hot" spot, here’s how to find where the most winning lottery tickets are sold in your area:
Check the "Recent Winners" Map
Most state lottery websites (like the California Lottery or the Florida Lottery) have a "Luckiest Retailers" or "Where to Play" tool. They literally list the stores that have sold winning tickets worth $1,000 or more in the last year.
Look for the Volume
Find the busiest gas station in your county. If there’s always a line at the lottery terminal, that store is statistically more likely to see a "winner" soon—not because of luck, but because of the volume of tickets being cycled through their machine.
Follow the Commuters
Stores located at "border towns"—places where people from states without lotteries (like Nevada or Utah) cross over to buy tickets—are notorious for high sales and frequent winners. The Primm Valley Lotto Store on the California-Nevada border is a prime example.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Play
- Stop chasing "due" numbers: Every draw is independent. A store that hasn't sold a winner in ten years is no more or less likely to sell one today than a store that sold one yesterday.
- Join a pool: If you want to actually increase your odds, buying 50 tickets with coworkers at a "normal" store is way more effective than buying one ticket at a "lucky" store.
- Check the scratch-off remaining prizes: Before buying a scratcher, check your state's lottery website. They list how many top prizes are still "active." If a game has zero top prizes left, it doesn't matter how lucky the store is—you can't win what isn't there.
Ultimately, the "lucky" store is a fun piece of lottery folklore. It makes the game feel more human. But next time you’re deciding whether to drive twenty miles to that famous deli or just grab a ticket at the corner store while you’re getting a soda, remember: the math stays the same. The only thing that changes is the line you have to wait in.
If you’re serious about finding a winning ticket, your best bet is to look for transparency. Stick to retailers that are high-volume and check the state-provided data on remaining prizes for scratch-off games before you spend a dime. This way, you're playing with information, not just superstition.