New Hampshire Powerball Rules
In New Hampshire, you can enter Powerball by buying a ticket from a licensed retailer or online through the iLottery platform.
Playing In Stores
Pick up a Powerball playslip from any lottery retailer and choose five main numbers between 1 and 69, plus one Powerball between 1 and 26. Alternatively, you can have a random line generated for you by asking the cashier for an ‘Easy Pick’ or by marking the ‘EP’ option on the playslip. You can enter up to 20 consecutive drawings in advance.
You must be at least 18 years old to buy tickets, and sales close at 9:50pm ET on draw days, reopening for the following drawing shortly after the winning numbers have been confirmed.
Playing Online
You can choose your Powerball numbers online through the New Hampshire Lottery’s iLottery portal. You will first need to register with an online account and will need to provide your personal details, including the last four digits of your social security number for validation purposes.
Once you’ve registered and signed into your account, you will need to deposit funds into it before purchasing tickets. The minimum deposit is $5 and the maximum is $500 a day. Once you’ve added funds, just select the ‘Buy Now’ option in the Powerball box to enter. You can pick your own numbers or select ‘Easy Pick’ for a random line.
You must be aged 18 or over to register an iLottery account, and you must be physically located in the state of New Hampshire to access the online portal.
How to Claim Prizes
Prizes up to $599 can be claimed from any licensed retailer in New Hampshire. Retailers are encouraged to pay out prizes but if they do not have sufficient cash on the premises you may need to claim the money elsewhere.
Winning tickets of $600 or more can be redeemed from the New Hampshire Lottery headquarters at the following address:
New Hampshire Lottery Commission
14 Integra Drive
Concord, NH 03301
When claiming prizes at the lottery’s headquarters you must produce valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or military ID, and proof of your social security number, such as a health insurance card or driver’s license that lists it.
Alternatively, you can claim prizes of any value by mailing the winning ticket and a completed claim form to:
Attn: Claims,
New Hampshire Lottery,
14 Integra Drive,
Concord, NH 03301
You must fill in your details on the back of the winning ticket and also provide a copy of a valid photo ID and proof of your social security number. The New Hampshire Lottery is not responsible for tickets lost or damaged in transit, so you are advised to send the package by certified mail and obtain proof of mailing or a tracking number.
Claiming Online Prizes
If you entered through the online iLottery portal, prizes under $600 will automatically be transferred to your player account. You must submit an online claim for prizes above this amount but below $10,000. Sign in to your iLottery account for step-by-step instructions on how to claim. The funds will appear in your account 3-5 business days after the claim is submitted.
Online prizes of $10,000 or more must be claimed in person at the New Hampshire Lottery headquarters or by mail. When claiming in person, you are advised to call the Lottery Commission on 603-271-3391 beforehand to arrange an appointment, and you must provide photo identification and proof of your social security number. Follow the instructions detailed above to claim iLottery prizes by mail.
Claim Period
You have one year from the date of the winning draw to claim any prizes. Any prize money left unclaimed after this period is transferred to the Education Trust Fund.
Lost and Damaged Tickets
You should always sign and print your name on the back of your Powerball tickets, as they are bearer instruments, so whoever is in possession of an unsigned winning ticket can claim a prize with it. If you do lose a signed winning ticket, you should contact the New Hampshire Lottery in case it is returned or another person attempts to claim a prize with it. Prizes may not be paid out if a winning ticket is too damaged to validate.
Going Public
Your name and hometown are deemed to be public information when you claim a lottery prize in New Hampshire, so they may be disclosed. All other information about you is confidential and will only be released if required by law. Previous winners have been able to obscure their identities by claiming prizes through a trust, but you should consult a legal professional if you wish to do the same.
Where Does the Money Go?
Nearly two-thirds of the New Hampshire Lottery’s revenue goes towards paying out prizes, while another quarter is given back to the state’s schools. The remaining money from ticket sales is used to cover costs and commissions. The table below shows how revenue is split:
| Area of Spending | Percentage of Revenue |
|---|---|
| Prizes | 60% |
| Schools | 28% |
| Retailer Commissions | 6% |
| Direct Costs | 4% |
| Administrative Expenses | 2% |
The New Hampshire Lottery has given over $2 billion back to public education since its formation in 1964. Proceeds from the lottery are transferred to the state’s Education Trust Fund, which distributes grants to New Hampshire’s 167 school districts on a per-pupil basis. Local school boards then determine how this money is to be spent.
NH Powerball Winners
New Hampshire is home to one of the most famous Powerball winners of all time, yet she remains unidentified. After winning a $560 million jackpot in January 2018, ‘Jane Doe’ – or ‘Jane Dough’, as she was labeled in the press – successfully sued to remain anonymous, despite state law that said her identity should be revealed.
The dispute arose because the winner signed her name on the back of the lottery ticket, as many state lotteries, including New Hampshire, advise players to do. The problem then was that she wanted to claim her prize anonymously through a trust, but because she had signed the winning ticket, the New Hampshire Lottery said that her name should be released in line with state law that says the information is public record.
The matter was taken to court, and in March 2018 Judge Charles Temple ruled that Jane Doe was allowed to remain anonymous. “The Court has no doubts whatsoever that should Ms. Doe's identity be revealed, she will be subject to an alarming amount of harassment, solicitation and unwanted communications,” a statement said. It concluded that her right to privacy outweighed the public interest in her identity. The winner opted to take the lump sum payment of $352 million before taxes, and she vowed to donate tens of millions of dollars to charity.
