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A new lottery game, Millionaire for Life, will launch Feb. 22 across 31 US jurisdictions. Its central appeal is straightforward: Players can win $1 million annually for the rest of their lives.
Operated by the Multi-State Lottery Association, lottery officials say the new game will offer larger, more appealing annual payouts than its predecessors. Ticket sales begin Sunday, Feb. 22. Daily drawings will take place at about 11:15 p.m. Eastern.
How much can you win? $1 million every year for life
Millionaire for Life features nine prize tiers. The top two prizes are lifetime annuities guaranteed for 20 years.
Players who match five numbers plus the Millionaire Ball will win $1 million per year for life. Those who match five numbers without the Millionaire Ball will win $100,000 per year for life.
Winners may choose a lump-sum cash option instead:
- $18 million cash payout for the top prize
- $2.2 million cash payout for the second-tier prize
The remaining seven prize tiers are one-time cash awards ranging from $8 to $7,500. The association says the format is designed to focus on sustained income rather than a single rollover jackpot.
How to play Millionaire for Life
Tickets cost $5. In some states, players will be able to buy Millionaire for Life tickets online or through the official state lottery app, but it depends on the jurisdiction. Many participating lotteries allow players to purchase draw game tickets through their official online lottery apps or websites if they support online sales.
Players select:
- Five numbers from 58 white balls
- One Millionaire Ball from a pool of five
The odds of winning any prize are 1 in 8.47. The odds of winning the top prize are 1 in 22.9 million.
Ticket sales close at 10:15 p.m. Eastern. Drawings will be held in Des Moines, Iowa, using an automated system. Players may purchase multi-draw tickets covering one to 28 drawings.
The new game replaces Cash4Life and Lucky for Life, both of which offered lifetime prizes. Cash4Life’s top prize was $1,000 a day for life, while Lucky for Life’s top prize was $25,000 a year for life.
The final drawings for both games will take place Feb. 21, one day before Millionaire for Life begins. Lottery officials say the new format is intended to generate stronger headlines and create simpler prize tiers.
Why players and communities win with Millionaire for Life
Tom Seaver, senior director of the Colorado Lottery and product group chair for Millionaire for Life, said the game was created in response to changing player preferences.
“Millionaire for Life offers top-notch ‘for-life’ prizes that players, especially younger players, have been drawn to,” Seaver said in a statement. “Think about winning $1 million every year for the rest of your life. This game is made to do what it says it will do.”
Seaver added that lottery proceeds continue to support public initiatives in participating jurisdictions.
Where to Play Millionaire for Life
Millionaire for Life will launch in the following jurisdictions:
Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, Massachusetts, Maine, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wyoming.
New York is expected to offer the game pending regulatory approval.
Get ready: Millionaire for Life starts Feb. 22
Beginning Feb. 22, daily drawings for the new game will take place. With its guaranteed annual payments, Millionaire for Life differs from traditional jackpot-style games, though the odds of winning the top prize remain long. Officials said additional information about the game and how to play will be released before launch.
