Lottery games with a lifetime prize
Win For Life is the name of two types of lottery games in the United States in which the top prize is usually paid out in an annuity.
Scratch-off game
U.S. lotteries often sell at least one scratch game with a "lifetime" prize. They became popular by the 1990s.
These tickets, depending on the lottery, are offered at various price points ($1-$30). Play for each game varies.
Unlike games where player can choose their own numbers, "lifetime" payout games usually do not offer a cash option, possibly the biggest criticism of such games. One exception is a scratch game that had been modified from a numbers game; the $1000-a-week grand prize was unchanged, however, its players now have a choice of $750,000 lump sum in lieu of the lifetime payments. All Win for Life-style games offer a guaranteed minimum payout.
Number-drawing game
The multi-lottery Win for Life is an otherwise traditional six-number game. It is played in Georgia, Virginia and Kentucky. Sales began on February 26, 2006 (replacing Lotto South) and the first drawing was held March 1.
It is drawn each Wednesday and Saturday at 11:00PM eastern time in Richmond, Virginia at the WTVR-TV studios, and is administered jointly by the three states.
Instead of a jackpot, the top prize is $1,000 a week for the life of the winner(s), with a 10-year minimum payout. Second prize is $52,000.
Tickets cost $1; players pick six numbers from 1-42. Six numbers are then drawn, followed by a seventh number drawn from the remaining 36. The latter is the "free ball"; it is used for some prizes.
The player wins as follows:
| Matches | Prize | Odds of winning |
|---|---|---|
| 2 of 6 numbers plus free ball | $2 | 1: 53 |
| 3 of 6 numbers | $2 | 1: 40 |
| 3 of 6 numbers plus free ball | $30 | 1: 441 |
| 4 of 6 numbers | $30 | 1: 588 |
| 4 of 6 numbers plus free ball | $200 | 1: 9,992 |
| 5 of 6 numbers | $600 | 1: 24,980 |
| 5 of 6 numbers plus free ball | $52,000 | 1: 874,298 |
| All 6 numbers | $1,000/week for life | 1: 5,245,788 |
Overall odds of winning are 1:21.
All prizes are fixed.
Unlike almost all lottery jackpot games, the top prize is automatically paid through an annuity. (Virginia winners initially could choose $520,000 cash in lieu of lifetime payments; the option was eliminated on May 2, 2007. All Lotto South jackpot winners could choose cash.) The winner of the top prize receives $1000/week for the rest of their life, with a 10-year minimum; multiple winners may receive less.