It is really disappointing to find out that you cannot purchase your participation in that huge jackpot because you were not aware of how late you can buy lottery tickets for a game. People who choose to play online via the best lottery sites have 24-hour access to purchases, but even they can fail to buy during the sales-stop period.
Save this page to always have a reference to know how late you can buy lottery tickets at shops and online. That way, you will ensure your participation in the most desired jackpots.
Quick Jump
When Can You Buy a Lottery Ticket?
You can buy lottery tickets whenever the game is not on the “sales stop” time. Buy lottery tickets within that period described below. If you will not play the lottery online, make sure to also check the opening time of the retailer where you usually buy lottery tickets.
| Lottery | Sales Time on Drawing Days |
|---|---|
| Powerball | It varies per state, and some will allow purchases up to 59 minutes prior to the drawing. To be safe, play before 06:59 local time. |
| Mega Millions | It varies per state, and some will allow purchases up to 59 minutes prior to the drawing. To be safe, play before 06:59 local time. |
| Euromillions | Before 07:30 p.m. – After 08:30 p.m. CET |
| Eurojackpot | Before 07:00 p.m. – After 09:00 p.m. EET |
| SuperEnalotto | Before 07:30 p.m. – After 08:00 p.m. CET |
| Vikinglotto | It varies according to the country. To be safe, purchase before 04:00 p.m. – 07:00 p.m. CET. |
| Mega-Sena | Before 07:00 p.m. – After 08:00 p.m. BRT |
| Lotto 6/49 | No sales stop. Buy whenever you want. |
| OZ Lotto | Before 07:30 p.m. – After 08:30 p.m. AEST |
| La Primitiva | Before 08:00 p.m. – After 09:30 p.m. CET |
| South Africa Lotto | Before 08:30 p.m. – After 08:56 p.m. CAT |
| Australia Saturday Lotto | Before 07:30 p.m. – After 08:30 p.m. AEST |
| France Loto | Before 08:00 p.m. – After 08:35 p.m. CET |
| Australia Powerball | Before 07:30 p.m. – After 08:30 p.m. AEST |
| Lotto 6aus49 | Wednesday: Before 6 p.m. – After 6:25 p.m. CET
Saturday: Before 7 p.m. – After 7:25 p.m. CET |
| South Africa Powerball | Before 08:30 p.m. – After 09:00 p.m. CAT |
| Cash4Life | Before 8:45 p.m. – After 09:00 p.m. ET |
| Mexico Melate | Before 08:15 p.m. – After 09:15 p.m. CST |
| Poland Lotto | Before 08:40 p.m. – After 09:40 p.m. CET |
| Philippines Ultra Lotto | Before 08:00 p.m. – After 09:00 p.m. PHT |
At What Time Can You Buy Lottery Tickets at Retailers?
Retailers are allowed to set how early and how late they will sell lottery tickets to players, as long as we take into account the possible maintenance of the lottery system for draw games – only occurs in some US states like Pennsylvania, for example.
Therefore, you should open the official lottery site for the game that you want to play and check the business hours of the retailer you choose.
How Early Can You Buy Lottery Tickets?
If the local retailer opens up at 05:00 a.m., then that is the earliest time that you can buy lottery tickets. As long as you find a store that is licensed to sell the lottery tickets that you want, you can make your purchase at your earliest convenience.
What Is the Latest Time You Can Buy a Lottery Ticket?
The same concept connected to how early you can buy lottery tickets apply to the latest possible purchase time. Some retailers will stay open around the clock, meaning that you can buy lottery tickets late and overnight. When you make purchases too early or really late, you are also safe from the sales stop period.
How Late Can You Buy Lottery Tickets Online?
One of the main advantages of playing the online lottery on lottery agent websites is that you can buy tickets whenever you want. The only exception remains the sales stop period during which no one can buy tickets for that specific drawing. However, consider becoming familiar with how far in advance you can buy lottery tickets to spare your time and effort.
When Can You Not Buy Lottery Tickets?
The time during which you cannot buy lottery tickets is only the sales stop moment that must be respected and varies according to the lottery game you have chosen to play. On the other hand, if you still have not started to play the lottery online, you will always depend on having a local retailer open when you need to.
