To play Cash for Life, you have to select a total of six numbers. Match enough of your chosen numbers to the ones that are drawn and you'll win a prize. Drawings are held every night at 9:00 PM ET. Check out the full guide to playing Cash for Life below, then grab a ticket for the next draw and keep your fingers crossed.
Select five numbers between 1 and 60, plus a Cash Ball from a separate set of 1 to 4. You can either choose your own numbers or ask for a Quick Pick – where the lottery computer will generate them for you at random. You can select multiple sets of numbers on a single playslip.
Use the Multi Draw section of the playslip to indicate how many consecutive drawings you want to enter. Cash for Life is drawn every day, so save yourself from buying tickets on a daily basis and running the risk of forgetting to play. Leave this section blank if you do just want to enter your numbers into the next draw.
Make sure to check your selections carefully, then buy your tickets before the cut-off time. The deadline is 8:45 PM ET in most states, 15 minutes before the winning numbers are drawn. Cash for Life costs $2 per play, so the total to pay depends on how many sets of numbers you enter and how many consecutive draws.
Cash for Life is available to play in 10 states and you have to be at least 18 years old to buy a ticket in any of them. The core rules are the same everywhere, but there are a few differences. The number of consecutive draws you can play, for example, is set by each state lottery.
You can replay an old ticket in some states by handing it to the retailer. You will just be given a new ticket with all the same selections, starting from the next draw. In Virginia, you can mark the ‘Future Play’ option and play your numbers on a specific date in advance without having to enter all the draws in between.
Some states also offer extra ways to win. Here's a quick summary of some of the optional features:
Go to the Participating States page to learn more about the specific rules for each jurisdiction.
An increasingly popular way to play is via lottery courier services, such as Jackpot.com. You can order your tickets without leaving home – just choose your numbers and multi-draw selections online – then an agent of the courier will purchase your entries for you. An image of the ticket will be uploaded into your account as proof of purchase, and you will be notified if you win. Keep in mind that courier services are not available everywhere at the current time.
To win a Cash for Life prize, you need to match at least two of the six numbers that are drawn – two main numbers, or one main number and the Cash Ball. The value of payouts increases as you match more numbers. Go to the Odds and Prizes page to see all the different ways to win.