Lottery Luck – Two New Minnesota Millionaires In 2023 So Far

Feeling lucky?

A long and growing list of Minnesotans are apparently feeling very lucky, according to the Minnesota Lottery, which has published a long list of winners so far in 2023. Not names and emails - sorry, you can't contact them and claim to be a long-lost aunt or uncle; just the game, where the ticket was purchased, and how much they won.

How much money is being paid out, and how much is going to fund Minnesota initiatives? According to the Minnesota Lottery:

"Lottery players have won more than $7 billion. More than $3 billion in lottery proceeds have helped our state—more than $1.2 billion has helped preserve, restore and protect Minnesota’s environment in each of the 87 counties and $1.8 billion has helped fund state programs including education, public safety and health & human services."

The winners above who purchased their lottery tickets in Twin Valley and St. Joseph both pocketed over $1 million dollars by playing the Gopher 5 game, and you can see the entire list of winners here. It's a long list.

Lottery dollars, through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, are helping to fund and protect Voyageurs National Park, including The Voyageurs Classroom, which is making it easier for a wider and more diverse audience to experience the park.

SEE ALSO: It’s Official: Here is the Most Popular State Park in Minnesota and Wisconsin

People are winning, and much of the money seems to be going to good causes across the state. This got me thinking and wondering about the odds of winning for each game. "So you're telling me there's a chance?" A very small chance, but yes.

Here are the official odds, as published by the Minnesota Lottery:

Powerball Odds

The probability of matching all five white balls and the red ball is obtained by multiplying the probability of matching the five white balls by the probability of matching the red ball.

Got that? The probability of matching all five white balls is 1 in 11,238,513. Sadly, the probability of winning the entire jackpot is 1 in 292,201,338. Ouch.

Lotto America Odds

The Minnesota Lottery calculates that the odds of winning the $20,000 prize are 1 in 2,887,733. The probability of winning the jackpot? 1 in 25,989,600. I have better odds of dating a supermodel. No, wait - I'm happily married. Never mind.

Get our free mobile app

Gopher 5 Odds

The probability of success rises with the Gopher 5 game. The Lottery calculates the probability of matching all five balls is 1 in 1,533,939. Matching 4 of the 5 balls? Your odds improve to 1 in 7,304. Okay - that's trending in the right direction.

Daily 3 Odds

Daily 3 differs from the above games in that you’re selecting one number each from three different sets of numbers as opposed to selecting multiple numbers from a single set. According to the Minnesota Lottery there are many potential outcomes, but your odds of winning a 3-way box bet are as good as 1 in 333.

Mega Millions Odds

Mega Millions odds are calculated in exactly the same way as Powerball odds with formulas changed to account for the different number of balls. The probability of winning the jackpot? 1 in 302,575,350.

Northstar 5 Odds

Northstar Cash odds are calculated using the same general principles as other Lotto games. The probability of matching all five numbers are 1 in 169,911 but the odds of winning $50 are as low as 1 in 1,307.

As always - your results may vary. Bet what you can afford to lose. Pulling out money from the college fund to pay for Gopher 5 bets may not be a smart, sustainable idea.

Then again, I'd rather be lucky than good. Maybe you do have the magic numbers in your head. It came to me in a dream? Go for it.

Good luck and may the force be with you!