The five U.S. states without a state-run lottery as of September 20, 2026, are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.
| State | State lottery? | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No | Its constitution prohibits lotteries unless the state constitution changes. |
| Alaska | No | It permits some charitable gaming, including pull-tabs, but has no state lottery. |
| Hawaii | No | Its laws generally prohibit gambling and do not establish a lottery. |
| Nevada | No | Its constitution prohibits a state-operated lottery, even though the state allows commercial casinos. |
| Utah | No | State law and constitutional policy broadly prohibit gambling, including lotteries. |
The North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries and the U.S. Census Bureau identify these as the only five states without a lottery.
Can You Buy Powerball or Mega Millions Tickets in These States?
No. Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah do not sell Powerball or Mega Millions tickets through in-state lottery retailers. Residents generally must buy tickets in another participating state or jurisdiction.
Buying a ticket while traveling is different from selling lottery tickets inside a state. Rules for online lottery courier services, ticket purchases and prize claims vary, so players should check the laws of the state where the ticket is purchased.
Why Doesn't Alabama Have a Lottery?
Alabama's Constitution prohibits the Legislature from authorizing lotteries and requires laws against selling lottery tickets in the state. Creating a state lottery would therefore require a constitutional amendment, not just an ordinary lottery bill.
Alabama has considered lottery and broader gambling proposals several times. Proposals were introduced during the 2026 legislative session, but Alabama still had no state lottery as of September 20, 2026.
Why Doesn't Alaska Have a Lottery?
Alaska does not operate a government-sponsored lottery. The state allows some forms of charitable gaming, including pull-tabs, bingo and raffles. Those activities are different from a state lottery offering games such as Powerball or Mega Millions.
Alaska considered creating an Alaska Lottery Corporation in 2020. The proposal included draw games and instant tickets, but it did not lead to a state lottery.
Why Doesn't Hawaii Have a Lottery?
Hawaii has no state lottery because its gambling laws generally prohibit gambling activities, including conventional lottery schemes, subject to limited statutory exceptions.
Hawaii's Revised Statutes define and regulate gambling and lottery-related conduct. They do not establish a state lottery system.
Why Doesn't Nevada Have a Lottery?
Nevada's Constitution prohibits the state and its political subdivisions from operating a lottery. It also generally prohibits authorizing lotteries or selling lottery tickets, while allowing the Legislature to permit limited charitable or nonprofit raffles and drawings.
Nevada can allow commercial casinos while prohibiting a state lottery because the two activities operate under different legal frameworks.
Why Doesn't Utah Have a Lottery?
Utah has some of the strongest anti-gambling rules in the United States. State law treats gambling as prohibited conduct, and Utah has not created a state lottery.
A 2024 Utah proposal would have amended the state constitution to allow a state-operated lottery, but it was filed without becoming law.
Does No Lottery Mean No Gambling?
No. A state can prohibit a state-run lottery while allowing other forms of gaming under separate laws. Nevada permits commercial casinos, and Alaska permits charitable gaming such as pull-tabs, bingo and raffles. The rules differ in Alabama, Hawaii and Utah as well.