Your Full Guide to Millionaire for Life: The New Daily Legacy Game
Written by Jackpot Staff
January 27, 2025
Are you ready for the biggest lottery launch of the century? That’s how you could describe Millionaire for Life, a new game that is set to be played in more than half of the nation’s states! It will offer incredible payouts, including a jackpot of $1 million per year for life and even a second prize that keeps paying out for the rest of your lifetime.
If you’re a fan of Cash4Life or Lucky for Life, those games will soon be coming to an end. But the good news is that Millionaire for Life is a bigger and better version of this type of ‘legacy’ lottery game, with the first draw set to take place on February 22. Read on for a complete game guide, including how to play, where to play, odds and prizes.
About Millionaire for Life
Millionaire for Life is a national lottery game that has been years in the making. The Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) carried out extensive market research before finalizing the rules and prize structure, determined to bring in an innovative game that would appeal to a wide audience and enhance the experience of playing a draw game such as Cash4Life or Lucky for Life.
By effectively merging those two annuity games into one, it is available to more players. And with a larger pool of players, Millionaire for Life can provide larger prizes. Stronger ticket sales will also help participating state lotteries support nationwide good causes. Here are some of the main selling points:
- Jackpot of $1 million a year for life
- Second prize of $100,000 a year for life
- Jackpot odds are 1 in 22,910,580 (approximately 10 times better than Powerball)
- Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 8.47
“Millionaire for Life offers premier ‘for-life’ prizing that players, especially younger players, have gravitated toward,” said Tom Seaver, Millionaire for Life Product Group Chair and Senior Director of the Colorado Lottery. “Imagine winning $1 million a year, year after year – this game is designed to deliver on its name.
“Players should feel good knowing that every time they play Millionaire for Life, their ticket is also giving back to the local community. Proceeds help fund education, support military veterans, and contribute to state parks and conservation efforts – just a few of the worthy causes that will benefit from the game,” said in a statement.
Draws will take place daily at 10:15 PM CT. The game has been designed to have lots of daily winners too, with your overall chances of winning a prize calculated at 1 in 8.47. Your chances of winning the jackpot are 1 in 22,910,580 - that’s around 10 times better than the odds of winning Powerball or Mega Millions.
Participating States
Millionaire for Life will launch in the following states on February 22: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (pending regulatory approval), Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming.
This list includes most of the jurisdictions that previously offered Lucky for Life or Cash4Life, but not all of them. There are also a couple of new states that did not previously offer either:
- Mississippi and West Virginia – Did not previously offer Cash4Life or Lucky for Life.
- Delaware, Florida, Maryland and Missouri - Offered Cash4Life or Lucky for Life but won’t be joining Millionaire for Life.
How to Play
Millionaire for Life is a simple ‘double matrix’ game, similar to Powerball and Mega Millions. Beyond that, there are no multipliers or other features. Here’s a step-by-step guide to filling in a playslip:
- Choose five numbers from 1 to 58, plus a Millionaire Ball from a separate set of 1 to 5. Select the Quick Pick option if you would prefer a random selection.
- Decide how many draws to enter. Play your numbers in just the next draw or enter multiple drawings to make sure you don’t miss out.
- Purchase your tickets at a cost of $5 per play. Cut-off times vary by state, but sales usually close around an hour before the 10:15 PM CT draw.
- Sign the back of your ticket and keep it safe, then check the winning numbers afterwards to find out if you are a winner.
Millionaire for Life Prize Structure and Odds
It is Millionaire for Life’s prize structure that really sets it apart from other lottery games, with the opportunity to win colossal payouts on repeat for the rest of your lifetime. In total, there are nine different ways to win. The table below shows all the prizes and the odds of winning for each category.
| Match | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5 + 1 | $1 million a year for life | 1 in 22,910,580 |
| 5 | $100,000 a year for life | 1 in 5,727,645 |
| 4 + 1 | $7,500 | 1 in 86,455 |
| 4 | $500 | 1 in 21,614 |
| 3 + 1 | $250 | 1 in 1,663 |
| 3 | $50 | 1 in 416 |
| 2 + 1 | $25 | 1 in 98 |
| 2 | $8 | 1 in 24 |
| 1 + 1 | $8 | 1 in 16 |
Cash Options
Apart from the top two prizes, the rest are fixed, one-off payments. There’s also the option to take either of the top prizes as a cash sum instead of a lifetime annuity if you wish. Here are the alternatives if you’d prefer a swift injection of cash rather than annual installments.
| Match | Annuity Option | Cash Option |
|---|---|---|
| 5 + Millionaire Ball | $1 million a year for life | $18 million |
| 5 | $100,000 a year for life | $2.2 million |
Powerball and Mega Millions also offer prizes as an annuity, but the amount you get is limited by the jackpot you win. The payments stop after 30 years, too, whereas the Millionaire for Life annuity lasts a lifetime.
Quick Tips
Here are a few points that you might want to keep in mind when buying your Millionaire for Life tickets, to ensure the experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
- Set a budget: Decide how much you are going to spend on tickets and stick to it. The jackpot never changes in Millionaire for Life, so every draw has the same prize opportunities and odds.
- Keep tickets safe: Make sure to sign your tickets, keep them somewhere secure and check them shortly after a draw. Be aware of the claim period for your state so that you know how long you have to come forward.
- Consider cash or annuity: Think about what you would do in the event of winning in one of the top two categories. Would you prefer lifetime payouts or a lump sum?
Millionaire for Life FAQs
Check out these frequently asked questions for even more information about Millionaire for Life:
Are the prizes really for life?
Yes. Win in one of the top two prize categories and you’ll carry on receiving annual payments for the rest of your life. There’s also a minimum payout period of 20 years. In other words, if a winner dies before 20 years have passed, the remaining payments up to 20 years will go to their family.
What happens if multiple players win?
The jackpot is split between winners if there are multiple players who match the numbers. In the unlikely event that there are more than 20 winners, $18 million will be split out and paid as a lump sum with no annuitized option. The second prize is only reduced if there are more than 20 winners.
How do I claim a prize?
For prizes up to $600, you can claim from authorized retailers in the state where you bought your ticket. If you win a larger amount, you’ll need to claim by mail, through a state lottery’s online claim process, where available, or go to a claim center.
How long do I have to claim a prize?
This deadline varies from state to state, but it is usually 180 days or one year after the draw.
Last Chance to Play Cash4Life or Lucky for Life
With the countdown clock ticking until Millionaire for Life starts, it also means there are just a few chances left to play Cash4Life or Lucky for Life. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just fancy having a shot at the jackpot before it is too late, why not play now and potentially become the very last jackpot winner in either game’s history?
Order your Cash4Life or Lucky for Life tickets online now for added convenience. The games are still available until February 21, and prizes can still be claimed after this date. Beginning February 22, get set for Millionaire for Life!
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