Kentucky Lottery launches new, exclusive jackpot game. Here’s how you can play
For those who just couldn’t get enough of the recent Powerball run, Kentucky Lottery officials have launched a new jackpot game exclusive to the state, and the first drawing is set for Monday night.
In a release Monday morning, the lottery announced its newest game, Kentucky 5. The game is a jackpot drawing starting at $40,000, with tickets priced at $1 per play.
“Our players love jackpots, and we hear often that they want a game that is just played in Kentucky,” Kentucky Lottery President and CEO Mary Harville stated in the release. “We’ve developed a game our players will enjoy playing, and those additional sales will benefit students. This will be a win-win for Kentucky!”
In an email, a lottery spokesperson said ticket sales started Sunday, and the lottery has already seen $12,700 in sales for the initial draw.
Here’s what to know about the new game.
How to play Kentucky 5 jackpot lottery
Kentucky 5 tickets can be purchased at authorized Kentucky Lottery retailers, and the state said online sales should go live “soon.”
To secure a ticket, players can choose five numbered balls from 1 to 39 or use the quick pick option for a generated ticket.
For an additional $1, players can multiply their winnings using the Xtra option. This feature excludes the jackpot and Match 2 fixed $2 prize, according to the lottery.
The jackpot kicks off at $40,000 and if not won, will increase by a minimum $5,000 each draw. Drawings happen each night at 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
How to win a Kentucky 5 jackpot lottery game
To win the game’s jackpot, the ticketholder must match all five balls to the night’s drawing.
Those who match four numbers win $250, and those who match three win $5. The Xtra feature increases winnings, and if you play Xtra, you can match two numbers for a $2 win.
What are the odds on Kentucky 5
According to the Kentucky lottery, the odds of striking rich and winning the jackpot are 1 in 575,757.
The odds of a $250-winning ticket are 1 in 3,387, and the odds of a $5 win are 1 in 103.
The game is exclusive to Kentucky.
Kentucky and the lottery
Kentucky 5 is the first new draw game launched in the commonwealth this year, Jennifer Cunningham, senior communications specialist for Kentucky Lottery, told the Herald-Leader.
“Ticket sales from Kentucky 5 will continue to fund college grants and scholarship programs,” Cunningham said in an email. “Since 1999, $4.4 billion in Kentucky Lottery proceeds have gone to these programs to help defray Kentuckian’s college educational costs.”
Powerball and Mega Millions have both had successful large jackpot runs this year.
Earlier this month, Kentucky Powerball players spent more than $22 million trying to win the game’s historic $2.04 billion jackpot. A California player secured the grand prize, but several Kentuckians had big winnings during the run.
If you or someone you know has a problem with gambling, help is available at 1-800-522-4700.
Do you have a question about the lottery in Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.