play for entertainment only,
Playing the Ohio Lottery is meant to be fun. WellPlayed Ohio™ is a celebration of playing the lottery the right way, aka the fun way. It’s about keeping play enjoyable and in balance by helping players stay aware, connected, and confident with research-backed tools and guidance.
Why We Play
People don’t play the Ohio Lottery for just one reason – and it’s rarely just about winning.
For many, lottery play is tied to everyday moments and emotions. It’s …
a way to relax or unwind
A feeling of optimism
A way to purely Entertain
A moment of fun risk
And all of this is normal.
Because people play for different reasons – and because those reasons can change, being Well Played isn’t about a set of rules. It’s about simple check-ins that help keep you in control of the game, not the other way around.
The
We want you to know the odds, check your emotions, and set limits. We also want you to know when to stop and find support when needed. Because that’s Well Played.
Fun Money
Fun money is simply the small share of your income used for entertainment: movies, mini golf, lottery tickets. A good rule of thumb is 5-10% of your income.
- Only play with “fun money.”
- Treat lottery tickets like entertainment.
- Make sure essentials are accounted for first.
- Spend beyond what you planned for fun.
- Play expecting to make money.
ODDs
Excitement and hope are part of the fun, but so is knowing the reality of the odds. Being Well Played means understanding the odds and that they don’t change based on hunches, birthdays, jackpot size, lucky numbers, rituals, or skills. We play the lottery for fun, not income.
- Understand the outcomes for the lottery are entirely random and based on chance alone.
- Know the odds are printed on all scratch-off and draw game tickets.
- Believe strategies, hunches, or promotions improve your odds.
- Play more because a jackpot is bigger.
Emotions
People often play to relax, entertain, celebrate, or even change how they are feeling. Being Well Played is keeping our mood from dictating how we play. Chasing losses, playing angry, superstitions – these are not recipes for lottery success. Try taking small breaks or stopping so feelings aren’t driving play.
- Take note of your feelings and state of mind when playing.
- Try not to let your mood dictate your play habits.
- Play when you’re stressed, upset, or chasing a feeling.
- Use lottery play as a way to escape a bad day.
Support
If play isn’t fun, help is merely a call, text, or chat away. And it’s all confidential and judgement-free for players and their loved ones.
- Chat, text, or call – or talk to someone you trust – when play stops feeling fun.
- Use resources available for you and your loved ones.
- Keep concerns about play to yourself.
- Feel like asking for help means you’ve failed – you haven’t!
gambling problem?
1-800-589-9966
Problem Gambling Free and Confidential Treatment Resources at
GamblingHelpOhio.org
Knowing
You’re in control of the game, not the other way around. A key part of being Well Played is knowing when to hit the pause button. Create a plan before you start and set limits on time, money spent, and when to walk away after wins or losses. Now, that’s Well Played.
- Set limits on money and time spent before you play.
- Have a plan to walk away after wins and losses.
- Double down after losing.
- Keep playing past your time or money limits.
Your
Playing with confidence means knowing the odds, staying within boundaries, and using tools to make play more fun by staying in control. WellPlayed Ohio™ is turning research into actionable guidance with helpful tips, useful reminders, and tech-driven transparency. The more informed you are, the more empowered your play becomes. Check back for more tools as we continue to grow and improve WellPlayed Ohio™.
Test your odds knowledge
On the back of every lottery ticket are the chances of winning. Think you understand the odds? Take the quiz or watch the videos to find out.
PLAN YOUR FUN MONEY
Setting limits before you play can help keep lottery games fun. A quick quiz can help you figure out what counts as fun money for you.
DISCOVER YOUR PLAY STYLE
Everyone plays for different reasons. This short quiz can help you understand what shapes your play style.
Common Questions
Playing well means treating the lottery as entertainment, not a way to make money. It means knowing your odds, setting a budget you’re comfortable losing, and stopping when it stops being fun.
Check in with yourself regularly. If you’re spending more than you planned, chasing losses, or feeling stressed instead of entertained, those are signs it’s time to reset your approach.
A fun money budget is an amount you set aside specifically for lottery play that you can comfortably afford to lose, separate from money needed for bills, savings, or other obligations.
Know your odds, check how you’re feeling, set a spending limit, know where to find support if you need it, and know when to stop. These five steps form a simple gut check you can run anytime.
If you notice you’re not having fun anymore, you’re spending beyond your budget, or you’re playing to chase a loss rather than for entertainment, that’s the signal to stop and step back.
Need More Help?
Call the helpline anytime at 1-800-589-9966.
Getting Support?
Being “Well Played” means knowing that there is help anytime you need it. There are self-check tools, odds education, and 24/7 support
just a text, call, or chat away.
All judgment-free.