In Wisconsin, the cut-off time for lottery ticket sales varies depending on the type of lottery game and where the tickets are being purchased. Overall, lottery tickets can be purchased in Wisconsin at authorized retailers until the draw break for that particular game.
Cut-off Times for Lotto Games
For lotto games like Powerball and Mega Millions, ticket sales end at 9:00 PM Central Time on draw nights. The 9:00 PM cutoff is strictly enforced for major lotto games that have drawings two or three times per week.
Wisconsin is in the Central Time Zone. Powerball and Mega Millions drawings are held at 9:59 PM CT on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Tickets cannot be purchased after 9:00 PM on those nights.
The cut-off for Powerball and Mega Millions applies to retail locations as well as online sales through the Wisconsin Lottery website. Online ticket purchases must be completed by 9:00 PM to be eligible for that night’s drawing.
Daily Pick Games
For daily pick-style games like Pick 3 and Pick 4, ticket sales typically end at midnight or 12:30 AM. However, some retail locations may stop selling tickets earlier in the night.
Pick 3 and Pick 4 drawings are held twice daily in Wisconsin. Tickets cannot be purchased after midnight for the midday drawing or 12:30 AM for the evening drawing.
Weekly Games
For lottery games that have weekly drawings like Megabucks and SuperCash!, ticket sales end at 5:00 PM Central Time on the day of the drawing.
Megabucks drawings occur on Wednesdays while SuperCash! is drawn on Thursdays in Wisconsin. Tickets cannot be purchased after 5:00 PM on those days.
Retailer Cut-off Times
While the statewide cut-off for major lotto games is 9:00 PM on draw nights, some retailers may stop selling tickets earlier. This can happen for a few reasons:
- The retailer’s business hours end before 9:00 PM
- The location needs time to balance lottery sales and close out terminals
- Employee shifts end before the statewide cutoff time
To ensure you can purchase lottery tickets up until the absolute cutoff times, it is best to call ahead to the specific retailer. While major retailers like gas stations and convenience stores are likely to stay open until 9:00 PM, some smaller locations may stop sales earlier.
Gas Stations and Convenience Stores
Most gas stations and convenience stores stay open late enough to offer lottery ticket sales until the statewide cutoff times. However, in some cases employee shifts may end at 8:00 or 8:30 PM. You may want to call ahead to verify the location has lottery terminal availability up until the deadline.
Grocery Stores
Many grocery stores with lottery terminals stop selling tickets at 8:00 or 8:30 PM. This allows time for balancing and closing procedures. Again, calling ahead is wise to confirm lottery sales are available up until the deadline if you plan to purchase tickets late at night.
Independent Retailers
Some independent liquor stores, tobacco shops, delis, and other retailers may stop lottery sales well before 9:00 PM. These locations likely have earlier business hours and want to close out lottery terminals during daytime or early evening hours.
Purchase Deadlines for Wisconsin Lottery Games
To summarize, here are the purchase deadlines for the major Wisconsin Lottery games:
| Game | Drawing Days | Ticket Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Powerball | Monday, Wednesday, Saturday | 9:00 PM CT |
| Mega Millions | Tuesday, Friday | 9:00 PM CT |
| Megabucks | Wednesday | 5:00 PM CT |
| SuperCash! | Thursday | 5:00 PM CT |
| Pick 3 | Twice Daily | 12:00 AM CT (midday) 12:30 AM CT (evening) |
| Pick 4 | Twice Daily | 12:00 AM CT (midday) 12:30 AM CT (evening) |
Remember that individual retailers may stop selling tickets before these statewide deadlines. It is always advisable to call ahead and verify lottery availability with the specific location where you plan to purchase tickets close to the cut-off times.
Purchasing Tickets Online
Purchasing Wisconsin Lottery tickets online at wilottery.com provides a reliable way to buy tickets until the statewide deadlines. Ticket sales on the lottery website end at these times on drawing nights:
- 9:00 PM CT for Powerball and Mega Millions
- 5:00 PM CT for Megabucks and SuperCash!
As long as you complete your ticket transaction by the stated deadlines, you can purchase tickets online until the absolute cutoff times. This ensures ticket availability even if local retailers stop sales earlier than the deadlines.
Create an Account
To buy Wisconsin Lottery tickets online, you must create an account at wilottery.com. Registration is free and fast. You’ll need to provide contact information and set up a payment method to fund your account.
Purchasing Tickets
Once registered, you can log in and buy tickets online up until the sales deadlines. Powerball, Mega Millions, Megabucks, SuperCash! and other draw game tickets are available for online purchase.
You can play your numbers for up to 26 consecutive draws or the maximum number allowed for that particular game. Tickets are delivered to your online account and you will receive email confirmation of your purchases.
Claiming Prizes
Winning tickets can be claimed online or in-person at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer. Prizes over $599 must be redeemed at an official Lottery office. Be sure to sign the back of your ticket for security.
Subscription Services
The Wisconsin Lottery offers subscription services that automatically purchase tickets for you. These can ensure ticket purchases continue right up until sales deadlines, even on nights you may forget.
Jackpot Alerts
With Jackpot Alerts, you can receive texts or emails when the Mega Millions or Powerball jackpots reach a certain level. The messages include a link to instantly purchase tickets online.
Auto Lotto
An Auto Lotto subscription automatically enters your Powerball or Mega Millions numbers for drawings when the jackpot is $150 million or more. Subscriptions renew automatically until you cancel.
Auto Win
With Auto Win, you can subscribe to have the same set of numbers automatically entered into upcoming drawings for Pick 3, Pick 4 and/or SuperCash!. Minimum jackpot levels can be set for SuperCash! tickets.
These subscription services provide reliable access to lottery tickets right up until sales deadlines. They are worth considering for convenience and ensuring you don’t miss purchasing tickets before the cutoff times.
In-Person vs Online Ticket Purchases
When purchasing Wisconsin Lottery tickets close to sales deadlines, buying online offers some advantages compared to in-person sales:
- Guaranteed ticket availability until statewide cutoff times each night
- Avoid the risk of retailers stopping sales early
- Convenience of purchasing from home on mobile device or computer
- Option to buy tickets for multiple future draws
- Access to subscription services that auto-purchase tickets
However, some people still prefer buying lottery tickets in person. Reasons may include:
- Prefer the experience of purchasing at a store
- No need to register an account and provide personal information
- Can pay cash rather than use a card online
- Want to select “quick pick” random numbers in-person
Ultimately it comes down to personal preference. Buying online offers reliability for purchasing right up until cutoff times. But in-person sales can be more convenient for some players.
Tips for Purchasing at Retailers
If you opt to buy lottery tickets in-person for a late night drawing, here are some tips for making sure you can purchase until the deadline:
- Know the exact sales cutoff time for the lottery game – don’t assume it’s 9:00 PM
- Call ahead to the specific retailer to verify their closing time and lottery availability
- Visit a major retailer like a gas station or grocery store over a smaller shop
- Arrive well ahead of the deadline in case there is a line or other delay
- Know that retailer hours take precedence over statewide deadlines
With a little planning, you can buy Wisconsin Lottery tickets in-person until sales end for that night’s drawing. But purchasing online is the most reliable option for ticket availability until absolute cutoff times.
Lottery Ticket Availability on Holidays
Wisconsin Lottery ticket availability may be impacted on major holidays when many retailers are closed. These include Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, and the 4th of July.
Christmas Day
Most retailers are closed on Christmas Day, December 25th. It is one of the only days some major chain retailers like CVS, Walgreens and Walmart are closed.
If Christmas falls close to a Wednesday or Saturday, Powerball ticket sales will be impacted. Sales for the midday Pick 3 and Pick 4 drawings may also be affected.
You will likely need to purchase tickets before Christmas to participate in drawings on or around December 25th. Buying online in advance is the best option.
Thanksgiving Day
Major retailers are often closed for part or all of Thanksgiving Day. Grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores that are normally open late may close early or all day on Thanksgiving.
When November has a Thursday late in the month, Megabucks and SuperCash! sales could be halted early for the drawings that fall on Thanksgiving Day.
Purchasing tickets online or at an open retailer the day before Thanksgiving is best to ensure availability.
4th of July
Retailer hours are often shortened for Independence Day on July 4th. Smaller shops may close altogether. The holiday falls mid-week so Powerball and daily Pick game sales may be impacted.
Ensure you can purchase tickets by shopping at a major retailer in the days leading up to and right after the 4th of July. Buying online is another safe option.
Traveling Between Time Zones
When traveling into Wisconsin from a different time zone, you need to pay close attention to lottery ticket deadlines. Sales cutoffs are based on Central Time in Wisconsin.
For example, if you are visiting Wisconsin from Pacific Time and want to buy Mega Millions tickets for a 9:00 PM CT Tuesday drawing, you would need to purchase by 7:00 PM based on local Pacific Time.
Failing to account for time zone differences could result in missing the cutoff deadline and being unable to play. Know the time zone differences and plan accordingly.
Conclusion
Lottery ticket sales end at defined times in Wisconsin based on the type of game. Major lotto games stop sales at 9:00 PM CT while other drawing game deadlines vary from 12:00 AM to 5:00 PM CT.
Retailers can stop selling tickets before statewide deadlines based on business hours and staff availability. Calling ahead or purchasing online provides the most reliability for buying until absolute cutoffs.
With a little planning around retailer hours, time zones, and holidays, you can ensure you are able to purchase Wisconsin Lottery tickets until sales end for the next drawing.
