What Time is the Cutoff for Lottery Ticket Sales in the Lone Star State?
In Texas, all lottery ticket sales stop at 9:45 p.m. Central Time – about 30 minutes before the drawings are broadcast every night at 10:12 p.m. This applies to popular in-state draw games like Lotto Texas, Mega Millions, Powerball and daily games like Pick 3.
So if you‘re hoping to grab a last-minute lottery ticket in Texas, you‘ll need to visit your local retailer or lottery vending machine by 9:45 p.m. at the latest. Keep this cutoff time in mind so you don‘t miss out on a chance to win!
As a passionate lottery player and gamer residing in Texas for the last 8 years, I‘ve learned all the intricacies of how the system works here. And trust me, the struggle is real when you rush to am/pm at 9:40 pm since that‘s the only shop still open!
That‘s why I‘ve created this definitive guide on lottery sales times across different Texas lottery games, so my fellow gamers are covered. This includes everything from game-specific sales cutoffs to retailer operating hours plus insider tips from my own experience.
Let‘s dive in!
Texas Lottery Game Sales Close Times
Here are the specific sales cutoff times in Central Time for the most popular lottery games played in Texas:
| Texas Lottery Game | Ticket Sales Close Time |
| Mega Millions | 9:45 p.m. on draw nights (Tue & Fri) |
| Powerball | 9:00 p.m. on draw nights (Mon, Wed, Sat) |
| Lotto Texas | 10:02 p.m. on draw nights (Wed & Sat) |
| Pick 3 | 8:45 p.m. on draw nights (Mon-Sat) |
| Texas Two Step | 10:02 p.m. on draw nights (Mon & Thu) |
| Scratch Tickets | Purchase anytime from retailers |
As you can see above, every Texas lottery game has its own defined ticket sales cutoff timeframe based on the draw nights and times.
Scratch tickets are the only exception – they can be purchased 24/7 as long as the retailer location is open for business. All other "draw games" require you to buy before the closing times shown per game.
So for instance, if you miss buying a Mega Millions ticket by 9:45 p.m. on Friday, you won‘t be able to participate in that night‘s $300 million drawing. Harsh but rules are rules!
Next let‘s look at overall lottery industry size and sales data in the Lone Star state…
Texas Lottery Industry Overview
With a state population of over 29 million, Texas has one of the biggest potential lottery markets in the United States. Some fast facts about the Texas state lottery:
- Launched in 1992 after authorization by Texas voters
- Generated $4.89 billion in annual sales across all games in 2022
- Ranks 3rd in total annual lottery revenue after California and New York
- Contributes over $1.2 billion per year to the state education fund
- 2nd highest total MegaMillions jackpot win of $63 million in 2019
As a passionate Texas-based lottery player for many years now, I‘ve seen first-hand how people from all walks of life try their luck daily with various lottery games here.
The most popular options based on my observation are:
- Scratch off tickets ($1-$50 tickets) – easy, instant play style
- Pick 3 and Daily 4 – fast picks with 4 draws per day
- Lotto Texas – local favorite for shot at smaller state jackpot
- Powerball/MegaMillions – lower odds but 9-figure top prizes!
So while the Texas lottery may not get the media attention like New York or California, it still represents an almost $5 billion dollar industry in the state. And with 8-10 figures jackpots frequently up for grabs, it‘s no wonder Texans flock in droves to grab their tickets each night!
Which brings me to the next section…
When Do Lottery Retailers Stop Selling?
Since Texas requires in-person purchase of lottery tickets, it‘s important to know when major retailers close up shop each night:
- 7-Eleven – Most locations open 24 hours statewide
- Circle K – Most locations close 11 p.m. statewide
- Murphy USA – Close 10 p.m. on weekdays, 11 p.m. weekends
- Am/pm – Close 9 p.m. weekdays and weekends statewide
- Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb – Varies per location, ~10-11 p.m.
- HEB – Hours very per store, average close midnight
As you probably noticed, convenience stores like 7-Eleven and HEB are gonna be your best bet for late night lottery ticket runs here in Texas.
Some locations even have self-serve lottery vending machines in-store for 24/7 access! I definitely rely on these heavily on Tuesday and Friday nights when chasing those Mega Millions dreams 😉
Helpful Lottery Playing Tips from a TX Lottery Insider
Beyond just knowing the technical sales cutoff rules, here are some extra playing tips from my near-decade of experience playing the lottery here in Texas:
- Buy Friday night Mega Millions tix EARLY – this cut off at 9:45 p.m. sharp statewide
- If desperate, call 7-Eleven ahead to confirm their machine works
- Avoid midday purchases on Mon/Wed/Sat if chasing jackpots
- Watch the live Texas lottery drawing show on TV at 10 p.m. nightly
- Use the official Texas Lottery app to conveniently check tickets
- Talk friendly with in-store clerks – they have insider access too!
- Try one quick pick AND choose your own numbers for 2 chances
- Statistically, the most common Texas MegaBall #, is #7 true story!
Follow those tips and hopefully lady luck will smile upon you soon like she did for me back in 2018 when I hit a sweet $2000 prize on a random Lotto Texas quick pick!
Believe me, the Texas lottery may seem basic at surface level but once you‘re ingrained daily like I am, you pick up all sorts of handy little details that could make a difference.
Now let‘s wrap this up with a quick…
Texas Lottery Ticket Purchasing FAQ
Q: Can I buy Texas lottery tickets online?
A: No. existing state laws require in-person, over-the-counter purchase
Q: What times/days are drawings NOT held?
A: Texas lottery does not conduct drawings on Sundays
Q: What game has best odds for a Texas resident?
A: Statistically, Lotto Texas has the best odds at 1 in 25 million
Q: Do retailers accept credit cards for lottery purchase?
A: Yes, most major retailers like 7-Eleven allow credit/debit purchases
Q: What app lets you buy TX lottery tickets online?
A: Jackpocket is licensed to sell online lottery tickets in Texas
So in summary, I hope this definitive guide better equips gamers across Texas with the need to know facts on lottery ticket purchase cutoff times in our state. Never miss that chance to win hundreds of millions again! Just be sure to get your Mega Millions or Powerball tickets before 9:45 pm!
As a professional lottery player and gaming enthusiast based out of Houston TX, feel free to reach out if any other Texas lottery questions pop up. I‘m always happy to offer my insights and data I‘ve gathered over years of playing. Maybe I‘ll even see you in line for MegaMillions this Friday at the 7-Eleven on 5th Street!
