Massachusetts runs one of the most profitable lottery programs per capita of any state in the US. In fiscal year 2023, the Massachusetts State Lottery generated approximately $5.9 billion in total sales and returned over $1.1 billion to cities and towns — all without a dedicated education mandate, funneling money directly into local government revenue. The games powering those numbers are a mix of a strong jackpot game, a daily numbers game with cult-like loyalty, and access to Lucky for Life and the national multi-state jackpots.
Massachusetts Lottery Games at a Glance
| Game | Format | Jackpot Odds | Draw Days | Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Megabucks Doubler | 6/49 | 1 in 13,983,816 | Wed & Sat | $1 |
| Mass Cash | 5/35 | 1 in 324,632 | Daily | $1 |
| The Numbers Game | 4-digit | 1 in 10,000 (exact) | Daily (twice) | $0.50–$2 |
| Mass Millions | 5/45 + 1/4 | 1 in 324,632 | Fri | $1 |
| Lucky for Life | 5/48 + 1/18 | 1 in 30,821,472 | Mon & Thu | $2 |
| Powerball | 5/69 + 1/26 | 1 in 292,201,338 | Mon / Wed / Sat | $2 |
| Mega Millions | 5/70 + 1/25 | 1 in 302,575,350 | Tue & Fri | $2 |
Megabucks Doubler: Massachusetts's Main Jackpot Game
Megabucks Doubler is the flagship jackpot game of the Massachusetts Lottery. Players choose 6 numbers from 1 to 49. Jackpot odds are 1 in 13,983,816 — the same as a standard 6/49 game and dramatically better than Powerball (1 in 292M) or Mega Millions (1 in 302M). Tickets cost just $1. Draws are held every Wednesday and Saturday.
The "Doubler" component is a distinctive feature: on Saturdays, a Doubler ball is drawn, and if it matches specific criteria, all non-jackpot prizes are doubled for that drawing. This feature is not common in state lotteries nationally and gives Massachusetts players an enhanced prize structure on weekend draws.
The jackpot starts at $500,000 and rolls over when unclaimed. The record Megabucks Doubler jackpot was approximately $25 million, claimed in June 2019. Most Megabucks jackpots are won in the $1–5 million range due to the game's favorable 1-in-14M odds.
Mass Cash: The Game with the Loyal Fanbase
Mass Cash is one of the most beloved daily lottery games in New England. Players pick 5 numbers from 1 to 35. Jackpot odds: 1 in 324,632. The jackpot is a fixed $100,000 — not a rollover. Tickets cost $1. Mass Cash draws daily, 365 days a year.
The fixed jackpot structure means players know exactly what they are playing for. Because the odds are 1 in 325,000, jackpots are won regularly — sometimes multiple tickets match all 5 numbers in a single draw, splitting the $100,000. Mass Cash is ideal for players who want daily action with real winning probability rather than once-a-week jackpot dreams.
The Numbers Game: A Massachusetts Institution
The Numbers Game has been running since the Massachusetts Lottery launched in 1972. It is a 4-digit daily numbers game, drawing twice per day (midday and evening). Players can wager from $0.50 to $2 per ticket. Play types include:
Straight: Match all 4 digits in exact order. Pays $5,000 on a $1 bet. Box: Match 4 digits in any order. Pays less but wins more frequently. Straight/Box: Combination of both. Front Pair / Back Pair: Match the first or last two digits exactly.
The Numbers Game has a loyal audience of daily players who treat it like a morning ritual. Some Massachusetts families have played the same four digits daily for decades, a tradition rooted in the game's 50+ year history.
Massachusetts Lottery Tax Rules
Massachusetts has straightforward lottery tax rules. All prizes are tax-free below $600. Prizes of $600 or more are subject to:
Massachusetts state income tax: 5% (applied at the flat state rate, not a separate lottery withholding rate). Federal income tax: 24% withholding on prizes of $5,000 or more (rising to 37% at tax time for large prizes, depending on total income). There is no additional city or county tax in Massachusetts — including Boston — on lottery winnings.
Compared to states like New York (10.9% state + 3.876% NYC), Massachusetts is relatively lottery-winner-friendly at the state level. The $5.9 billion in annual sales means the system is also well-funded — retailers are plentiful and payouts are timely.
Why Massachusetts Lottery Revenue Matters Locally
Unlike most states, which earmark lottery profits for education, Massachusetts distributes lottery revenue directly to cities and towns through the Local Aid fund. In fiscal year 2023, the lottery delivered more than $1.1 billion to 351 Massachusetts municipalities. Some smaller towns receive millions of dollars annually that directly fund police, fire, schools, and road maintenance — funded by lottery ticket sales.
This distribution model creates a direct link between lottery participation and local government services, making Massachusetts players unusual in that their ticket purchases tangibly benefit their own neighborhoods.
Which MA Lottery Game Has the Best Odds?
For jackpot odds, Mass Cash and Megabucks Doubler are far superior to Powerball or Mega Millions. Mass Cash's 1 in 324,632 jackpot odds are the best in the Massachusetts lineup for a traditional jackpot game. Megabucks Doubler's 1 in 14 million beats both national games by a factor of 20. The Numbers Game offers the most frequent wins for small prizes with twice-daily draws.
The Bottom Line
Massachusetts has one of the most mature and profitable state lottery programs in the country, with games to suit every type of player. Megabucks Doubler offers real jackpot potential at odds the national games can't match. Mass Cash delivers a fixed $100K daily jackpot at 1 in 325,000. The Numbers Game is New England's most beloved daily ritual. And all of it feeds back directly into the towns where the tickets were sold.