Arkansas(AR) Natural State Lotto Game:
History and Overview
The Natural State Jackpot (NSJ) is a popular lottery game exclusively offered by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL). Launched in 2012, this Arkansas-only game has become a favorite due to its rolling jackpot, which starts at $50,000 and increases daily until a winner is drawn. With frequent drawings and favorable odds, the Natural State Jackpot offers Arkansas players a chance to win substantial prizes while supporting educational scholarships across the state.
How to Play
Playing Arkansas Natural State Jackpot is simple and follows a traditional format of selecting numbers:
Choose Your Numbers:
- Players select five numbers from a pool of 1 to 39.
Purchase a Ticket:
- Tickets can be purchased at any authorized Arkansas Lottery retailer.
- Each play costs $1.
Quick Pick Option:
- Players can either manually choose their own numbers or opt for a Quick Pick, where the numbers are randomly generated by the lottery terminal.
Multi-Draw Option:
- Players can choose to play the same set of numbers for up to 20 consecutive draws by selecting the Multi-Draw option on their playslip.
Draw Time
- Draw Days: The Natural State Jackpot is drawn every day, Monday through Saturday.
- Draw Time: The draw occurs at 8:00 PM Central Time. Ticket sales close at 7:59 PM on draw days.
Prize Structure
Natural State Jackpot features four prize tiers, including the progressive jackpot. Here’s a breakdown of the prize structure:
Jackpot (Match 5 numbers):
- Win the rolling jackpot, which starts at $50,000 and increases with each draw until someone wins. The jackpot grows by at least $5,000 for each drawing without a winner.
Other Prizes:
- Match 4 numbers: Win $300.
- Match 3 numbers: Win $7.
- Match 2 numbers: Win a free Quick Pick ticket for the next draw.
Odds of Winning
The odds of winning in the Arkansas Natural State Jackpot are more favorable compared to larger multi-state games. The odds for each prize tier are:
- Jackpot (Match 5 numbers): 1 in 575,757
- Match 4 numbers: 1 in 3,387
- Match 3 numbers: 1 in 103
- Match 2 numbers: 1 in 10
Claiming Prizes
- Small Prizes (up to $500): Can be claimed at any authorized Arkansas Lottery retailer.
- Larger Prizes (over $500 up to $1 million): Must be claimed at an Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Claim Center or by mail.
- Jackpot Prizes: Winners of the jackpot must claim their prize at an Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Claim Center. Jackpot prizes are paid in a lump sum.
Important Points
- Age Requirement: Players must be 18 years or older to purchase tickets and claim prizes.
- Cut-off Time: Tickets must be purchased before 7:59 PM Central Time on draw days to be eligible for that day’s drawing.
- Taxation: Prizes over $5,000 are subject to federal and state taxes.
Multi-Draw and Advance Play
Players can use the Multi-Draw option to play the same numbers for up to 20 consecutive draws, allowing them to pre-purchase tickets for multiple drawings.
Supporting Education
Like all games offered by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Natural State Jackpot tickets goes toward funding college scholarships for Arkansas students. This makes playing the Natural State Jackpot not only fun but also a way to support educational opportunities within the state.
Arkansas’s Natural State Jackpot is a thrilling, affordable daily game that gives players multiple chances to win a growing jackpot, along with several other prize tiers. With the jackpot starting at $50,000 and growing until it’s won, it’s one of the most exciting games for Arkansas residents looking for frequent lottery action and a chance to win big.