When you play the lottery,

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Play smarter, not harder.

Play Smart is the coach that always has your back – educating, encouraging and empowering you to make smart decisions when you play the lottery. The more you know, the more fun you’ll have playing our games.

Craft a Winning Game Plan

Before you get in the game, check your playbook and learn how to craft a winning game plan.

Set a Budget

The lottery is a form of entertainment, not a means to fulfill a financial need. You can’t control or improve the chances of winning, but you can stay in control of your play by deciding how much to spend.

Know Your Limits

Balance your play with other fun activities and play the lottery for entertainment or as a social activity. When you make a plan, you are more likely to stay within your set limit and not miss out on the other things you need or want to do.

Spending Calculator

Keep Your Head in the Game

You’ve crafted your winning game plan. Now it’s game time. Make sure you follow these tips to keep it fun.

Play the lottery for fun or as a social activity

Have other hobbies outside of playing the lottery

Know the risks before you play

Put family and friends first

Take a break if playing is no longer fun

If you win, set aside some winnings

Remember, no matter if you win or lose, playing the lottery is all about having a good time. So next time you step in the game, remember to use your Play Smarts to keep it fun.

You Call the Shots

We provide tools and resources to help you manage how and when you play so you're always in control.

Credit cards are not accepted.

You can only buy lottery tickets with cash, debit cards or a bank account.

You can set deposit limits.

When you buy our games online, you have the option to set deposit limits. A decrease in your deposit limit will be effective immediately. An increase in your deposit limit will be effective in 48 hours.

You can stop yourself from playing.

When you buy our games online, you have the option to exclude yourself from purchasing lottery tickets. You may temporarily or permanently exclude yourself through our responsible gaming tools or by contacting the NCEL Online Play Support Center at 1-866-934-0289.

No longer just a game?

If you think your play has become a problem, there is hope. Free confidential help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Talk, text or chat with a trained, licensed clinician that can provide free counseling services.

Call 877-718-5543
Text "morethanagamenc" to 53342
Chat morethanagame.nc.gov

MUST BE 18 TO PLAY. Odds to win a prize and the top prize vary based on the game or promotion. See game or promotion pages for more detail. Problem Gambling Helpline 877-718-5543.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the winning numbers posted on this website are accurate; however, no valid claim may be based on information contained herein. In the event of a discrepancy between the numbers posted on this website and the official winning numbers, the official winning numbers as certified by the Multi-State Lottery Association and/or the NCEL shall control. All materials on this Website are owned by or licensed to the NCEL. Materials on this Website may not be modified in any way or reproduced or publicly displayed, performed or distributed or otherwise used for any public or commercial purpose without the express written consent of the NCEL. Copyright © 2006-2022. The North Carolina Education Lottery. All rights reserved. Play Smart™ term is a service mark of the Illinois Lottery licensed to the NCEL.

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