Winning the Georgia Fantasy 5 requires matching five numbers drawn from a pool of 1 to 42. Drawings take place every single night at 11:34 PM ET, with ticket sales closing at 10:45 PM. The starting jackpot sits at a baseline of $125,000 and rolls over if no player matches all five main numbers. Tickets cost $1 per play, making it one of the most accessible daily draw games managed by the Georgia Lottery.
Navigating daily draws means understanding prize tiers, structural odds, and claim windows without wading through fluff. Whether you buy slips at a local retailer or play online via the official portal, knowing the exact mathematics behind the numbers helps you manage expectations.
How Georgia Fantasy 5 Works
Playing the game involves filling out a playslip or letting a terminal generate a random sequence.
- Choose 5 numbers from 1 through 42, or select the Quik Pik option for a computer-generated selection.
- Select multi-draw options if you want your numbers entered for up to 14 consecutive drawings.
- Add Ca$h Match for an extra $1 to unlock an instant-win side game printed directly on your ticket.
Each standard play costs $1. If you select multi-draw for 5 consecutive drawings, your total cost scales linearly to $5. Online players can track active tickets directly through their digital account dashboard.
Prize Structure and Winning Odds
Unlike massive multi-state games with fixed secondary prizes, Fantasy 5 utilizes a mix of fixed rewards and pari-mutuel payouts. Pari-mutuel means the prize pool for a specific tier is divided equally among all winners who hit that tier.
- Match 5 Numbers: Wins the jackpot (pari-mutuel, starting at $125,000). Odds are approximately 1 in 850,668.
- Match 4 Numbers: Pari-mutuel cash prize (averaging around $150 depending on ticket sales). Odds are 1 in 4,598.
- Match 3 Numbers: Pari-mutuel cash prize (averaging around $10). Odds are 1 in 128.
- Match 2 Numbers: Wins a free Fantasy 5 Quik Pik ticket for the next available draw. Odds are 1 in 11.
Overall odds of winning any prize in the main draw sit at approximately 1 in 10. You can review historical winning configurations and state-wide statistics through LottoNumbers.com.
Understanding the Ca$h Match Add-On
For an extra dollar per play, the Ca$h Match feature prints a separate set of numbers and prize amounts on your ticket. If any of your main Fantasy 5 picks match your printed Ca$h Match numbers, you instantly win the cash amount shown.
- Prizes range from $1 up to $500.
- Overall odds of winning a Ca$h Match prize are roughly 1 in 2.96.
- These prizes can be validated and cashed immediately at any authorized Georgia Lottery retailer without waiting for the nightly drawing.
Claiming Prizes and Deadlines
Winners have a strict time limit to secure their payouts.
- Sign the back of your physical ticket immediately to establish ownership.
- Check results via the official mobile application, website, or terminal scanner.
- Claim within 180 days of the official drawing date, or the prize expires and funds are allocated to educational accounts.
Prizes up to $600 can be claimed at most retail locations. Winnings exceeding $600 require filing a claim online or visiting a district office with valid government-issued identification and completed tax forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is the Fantasy 5 drawing held?
Drawings occur every night at 11:34 PM ET. Ticket sales close nightly at 10:45 PM and resume shortly after the draw concludes for the next cycle.
What is the largest jackpot ever won?
The record jackpot reached $2.39 million, won in September 2020 by a single ticket holder in Claxton, Georgia.
Are lottery winnings taxable?
Yes. State and federal taxes apply to lottery winnings. The Georgia Lottery automatically withholds state and federal taxes on prizes that cross specific statutory reporting thresholds.
Can I play Georgia Fantasy 5 if I live out of state?
You must physically be within the borders of Georgia to purchase tickets online via the official app or website, or buy them from a licensed brick-and-mortar retailer within the state.
