Wisconsin sees fewer lottery jackpot winners than many states – AOL

Feeling lucky in Wisconsin? Not everyone in the state feels the same, according to a nationwide analysis of lottery jackpot winners.

Wisconsin ranked 23rd among states in the Vegas Insider analysis, which looked at 2026 lottery jackpot wins, average wins per year and wins per 1 million residents. In 2026, Wisconsin has so far had eight jackpot winners for Powerball and Mega Millions. The state averages 11 jackpot winners a year.

The numbers paint a different picture in nearby Michigan. According to Vegas Insider, Michigan is the country’s most consistent lottery winner, with 46 jackpot winners so far in 2026 and an average of 72 winners each year.

While the data shows lottery jackpot wins happen less frequently in Wisconsin in than in much of the country, there are at least some benefits to hitting the winning numbers in Wisconsin.

How much do taxes take from lottery winnings in Wisconsin?

Compared to other states, Wisconsin has a modest tax on lottery winnings at 7.65% of jackpots at the state level. Every state abides by the federal lottery tax of 24% on prizes more than $5,000 and 37% for prizes more than $640,600.

If you win the Powerball or Mega Millions in Wisconsin, the state and federal government hold on to about 44% of your winnings, depending on whether you take a lump sum or yearly payment plan.

Let’s say you pulled a $100 million jackpot in Wisconsin. If you cash out in a lump sum, you walk away with $58 million in cash based on lottery rules, according to Catalina Structured Funding’s lottery winnings calculator. Then, the federal government take about $21.4 million and Wisconsin about $4.4 million, leaving you with $32.2 million.

According to the calculator, taking the annual payments could yield you $56.8 million from the $100 million prize. Payment plans are different for every winner, but spreading the jackpot over 30 years in Wisconsin could mean $24.6 million more in cash in hand than the lump sum.

For comparison, here are top five highest state lottery tax rates in the United States, and what you would net on the lump sum take-home:

1. Hawaii: 11% winnings tax, $30.2 million after $100 million prize

2. New York: 10.90% winnings tax, $30.3 million after $100 million prize

3. Washington, D.C.: 10.75% winnings tax, $30.4 million after $100 million prize

4. New Jersey: 10.75% winnings tax, $30.4 million after $100 million prize

5. Oregon: 9.90% winnings tax, $30.8 million after $100 million prize

What does the Wisconsin Lottery fund?

Net proceeds from the Wisconsin Lottery are used to fund property tax relief across the state, according to state law.

In 2025, the Wisconsin Lottery and gaming tax credits pooled about $290 million in property tax relief for the state. The average tax credit for Wisconsin residents was $190 that year, according to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

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The state has paid out $6.4 billion in property tax credits since the state lottery launched in 1988, according to Wisconsin Lottery. Retailers and businesses have also earned about $1.3 billion since 1988 for hosting lottery games.

Scratch-offs are the most popular type of lottery in Wisconsin by far. Of the $861 million in ticket sales the state generated in 2025, $608 million were from scratch-offs and pull tabs.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin sees fewer lottery jackpot winners than many states